The World's Greatest Moms

Why my mom is great: My mom, Shiphrah Maller, spends her life caring for others. A 1942 UCLA graduate transplanted to New York City after marriage. A school teacher in a low income area, she was referred to as the "Trip Teacher"- she was the only teacher to take children on field trips.

A retired NYC teacher, my mom is very active in many charitable organizations, and teaches mah jongg free in Leisure Village. Her garage is filled with toiletries that she collects all year, packages them up to bring to Elderly Facilities during the holiday season. At 85 she continues to be the most unselfish person I know, doing for family, neighbors, and friends. Donna Dawson Thousand Oaks

My mom is special because as soon as we three boys were grown, she moved to Japan in 1965, taking a job teaching English. She lived and taught there for almost 30 years.

She still writes poetry and essays today, at 94 years of age, and she still lives in a house by herself, cooks her meals and does most of her own shopping and gardening. She's currently writing a novel about an Iraq war vet who returns with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. We are all proud of her strengths and achievements. Bryson H. Gerard Thousand Oaks

Mom, you are the greatest person I know. Your compassion, patience and drive are inspiring to everyone. You make me a better person just being in your presence. You are the reason I am who I am today and I am so grateful for that. Not only are you may mom, but you are my best friend. I love you more than words can express. You mean the world to me. Jenna Reece Thousand Oaks

She's blind and one year shy of 100, but mom lives independently, makes the best apple pie in town, and was married to our father, now deceased, for 69 years. At 13, her mother died, leaving six siblings. She quit school to care for family, including two dying brothers.

A pillar of grace and wisdom, she keeps strong by moving her body and mind. She reads at least 20 talking books monthly and discusses them readily. Mother is a model, for adversities have never made her a victim but a person who survives storms and finds rainbows. We love you! Mary, Walt, and Megan Shepherd Newbury Park

I have never known any other woman who has sacrificed so much for the sake of her family. My mom has enriched my life with unwaivering love and support, always giving me that sense of freedom, yet always remaining close at heart and at hand. She is a true hero in my own life, as well as in the lives of those she touches. Justin Levine Thousand Oaks

My mom is great because she is nice and loving when I come home from school. She will always play dodge ball or basketball with me, and she takes me places. She will always make me a snack when I am hungry.

One time my grandma and I bought a jacket that was too big for me. So my mom called every store in town to find me the right size. The only store that had it was in Santa Barbara. So my mom drove all the way there when I was in school and got it. Steele Ledford, 9 Thousand Oaks

A very happy Mother's Day to my fabulous mom. I am saddened we will not spend time on this special day. My mother passed on the end of summer 2007. She will be deep in my thoughts as always. The old saying seems true, sometimes you do not always realize what you have until they're gone. I believe I took my mother for granted at times and I surely do regret that.

My mom Sandi was a true friend with uncompromising love for all beings. A true living angel up in heaven. You're missed dearly. Miles Wirth Thousand Oaks

Dear mom, You are the best mom. I love you. I love it when you earn me Webkinz points. You are sweet. I love it when you give me hugs and kisses. Amanda

Dear mom, I love you. You're the best mommy in the whole wide world. You teach me and take good care of me. You always give me lots of hugs and kisses. David

Why I think my mom is great. Well, she takes care of me. She does everything for me and she takes me to dance everyday. My mom is the best mom ever out of the whole world. She feeds me good food and not bad food at all. You can't tell her what's right and wrong because she already does it right. My mom tells us the right thing to do and the wrong thing to do. She spends a lot of time with us. She gives me a lot of hugs and kisses. Most of all she loves me! Samantha

Mommies come in many different types: nice, kind, loving and even mean, but my mommy is the best, loving, sweet, and thoughtful.

TRUST. When I have trouble and I don't know what to do I tell her a secret and she understands what I'm talking about.

LOVE. She gives me love by blowing me soft kisses, big warm hugs, and especially the sweet kisses on my cheek that she places every night when it's time for sleep.

She may not know this but I will always cherish and remember these great memories with her. I love u, mommy Sabrina

My mommy is super special. I love her mo-mo and she is pretty. Mommy hugs me a lot because I am "new," but she doesn't bow-bow (carry) me because I am too heavy now. Mommy takes me to the park and swings me and we have fun. I give mommy hugs and she kisses me. I love mommy! Shaylee Murray, 3

My mommy is very special. She is beautiful, smart, and she buys stuff that I like, like Little Pet Shop pets. Mommy does special things for me to show me she loves me.

She lets me sleep with her sometimes, like on special days, and she brings me a hot lunch at school. She gives me hugs and kisses when I need them. I like when mommy and I cook together. We make pizza, cookies, and chicken, and we have fun. Happy Mother's Day mommy! Cassidy Murray, 6

I love my mommy because she hugs me. Jake, 3

My mommy is special in a lot of ways. She is funny, she is smart, and she is pretty. She cooks food I like because she knows it makes me happy.

My mommy is talented also. She speaks several languages and she sings while she works around the house. Sometimes she sings funny opera songs that make me laugh.

My mommy works hard to take care of me and my two sisters and she is the best mommy in the world. Happy Mother's Day mommy. I love you! Kylee Murray, 8

My mother, Jo-Anne Fitting, is an angel from above. For the past 20 years she has volunteered for her community starting from the Pink Ladies at the local hospital, Search and Rescue, to mentoring teens. She currently helps hospice patients and serves in the CSU unit of Kern County, earning the Top Gun Award.

Moreover, in 2004 she has been honored in the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the member of Congress.

With all she does she always has time to be a great mom and dearest best friend. I love you to the moon and back. Naomi Gunn Newbury Park

If only there was a single word to describe my mom- however, there are too many great qualities about her to fit in one. Smart, funny, beautiful (don't get me started about that), talented, kind, and amazing. I guess the word would sound sorta like this: Smunifulntkingenamz. Unfortunately that isn't a real word, but if it were, that would be it.

Her funny attitude makes me smile everyday. She loves oldies music (Journey, Boston) but still sings acceptable songs with Michelle and I.

Mom, I love you more than "real" words can express and I just wanna say happy Mother's Day! Kelly Belko Newbury Park

Mom, Thank you for your endless love and support. You are an inspiration. Thank you for always being there and for believing in our dreams. We love you so much and words cannot express how much we appreciate everything you have done for us.

You are our best friend and the most loyal, loving, hardworking, selfless woman we have ever met. Mom, you are a true gem. You are an amazing human being and we are so proud to be your daughters. We love you! Karen, Karla, and Aubrey Thousand Oaks

Happy Mother's Day! Mom, you are truly beautiful inside and out. We know we don't tell you enough how much we need you and how important you are to us, but today we want to honor all your hard work, and let you know that you really are the best mother and friend we could ever ask for.

We love you so much. Hugs and kisses. Marin and Meg Newbury Park

My mom is great because she is always nice to me. The things she has done for me to be nice is taking me to many places and taking me to restaurants that have some of my favorite foods there. Hannon Ladenheim, 10 Thousand Oaks

I just wanted to thank my mommy, Karen Ahmad, for everything she has done for me and my family: Briana, Gabrielle, Annie, and Shahbaz. It has been hard on our family and especially my mom to move from Doylestown, Penn. to Newbury Park and away from her mother, twin sister, Donna, and the rest of her family that live in New York.

I wanted to tell her that I love her very much and I always will. You mean the world to me. Love you always and forever and ever. Anasha Ahmad Newbury Park

My mother, Deborah, is my inspiration. Being a teenager, I find that I want to be alone most of the time, so we haven't been hanging out like we used to, and it's so difficult for me to express how much I admire her. I don't tell her enough.

She has been through hell in her life, gone through practically everything you can go through, and I learn so much from her. She is funny, intelligent, beautiful, outspoken, loving, independent, and self assured. I hope to be as accomplished and confident as she is one day. I love you, mommy. Meredith Saier Thousand Oaks

My mom is great because she's always complimenting me for all the work I've gone through. She is beautiful with a capital B. She always helps me and understands me. She is the time of my life! Ethan Ladenheim, 9 Thousand Oaks

Dear mommy: This is why you are the best. You take such good care of us, you are so pretty, and you take us to fun places. Love, Grace.

Because you just love us so much. Love, Olivia.

You always love me even if I don't listen and you buy me gum. Love, Pedro III.

Happy Mother's Day to our mommy. Grace, Olivia, and Pedro De La Torre Thousand Oaks

My uhm-ma (mom in Korean) has always pushed me to do my best. To me, she's the best person in the world. Happy Mother's Day! I love you. Kimberly Torrance

My mother is the best mother in the world. She does so much for me and I am forever grateful. She cooks, cleans, makes lunch, and so many other things that I usually take for granted. She is so kind, loving and caring for me and my brothers.

She is always working hard for the family, making sure that everything is perfect and orderly. We could not live without her. Mom, I love you very much, more than the whole wide world! Nicholas Millar Thousand Oaks

Why my mom is great: Exactly a year ago, my mom helped my two girls and I escape a 10year abusive marriage. Mom came after my call to escape. We took clothes and photos, jumped in the car, picked up the kids from school, and gone.

Seven years I had sat and wondered how will I ever escape? Then, poof! Gone! She saved me that day.

Today, the girls and I have each other. She has changed my life in one year. Not by all cuddles and hugs. She was tough on me too, so I could toughen up again. But she was definitely cuddles and hugs too. Stacey Calcut Dolak Thousand Oaks Here it is, another year Another Mother's Day Once again, my Mom's the best What else can I say. Her name is Jean She simply is the best Always putting her kids first More than all the rest. She loves my girls, Lexy and Marissa They're the grandkids, by the way There is nothing she won't do for them On any given day. So I say to you, mom Thank you so very much For all you do throughout the year For your daily special motherly touch Happy Mother's Day, mom. Ed Thousand Oaks  

When I won my school spelling bee, everyone was saying, "Oh, good for you!" and "Congrats!" They all hugged me and left. But my mom was standing there with me the whole time, and she had tears of joy in her eyes. Those tears made me see how a mother's love can beat anything.

When something good happens to me, my mom is there with open arms and a wide smile on her face. When something bad happens, my mom is there with reassuring kindness. No matter what, through everything, my mom will always be there for me! Emilyn Ahmed Westlake Village

My mom's name is Diane Pieczynski, and she is great because she takes me to sport practices and she gives me food and clothes. She also lets me have play dates, and she puts us in an awesome school. She gave me a great house, and I love the backyard. She gets me stuff that I want. Usually she does something for us every day.

And an event in school is mother-son bowling, and this year was my first, and she made it special. I love her so so much. Brenden Pieczynski, 7 Thousand Oaks

My mom's name is Diane Piecyznski. She is go great. I

love her so much. She does so many things for me. She drives me to school, sports practices and other fun things. She also gives me food and lets me have friends over. She buys me toys and other things I want.

She makes every day fun. I enjoy being with her. Even when

I do something wrong she still loves me. She is a great mom, and I will always love her.

Conner Pieczynski, 10 Thousand Oaks

My mom's name is Diane Pieczynski. She devotes most of her time to taking care of me and my brothers. She drives all over, near and far, to take us to school, sports practices, etc. If my mom has to choose, she usually does what we would like to do even if it means giving up what she wants to do. She helps me with my homework and is always patient if I don't understand it. She always loves me no matter what, which is why I always love her. I don't know what I would do without her! Kristin Pieczynski, 12 Thousand Oaks

My mom, Jane, is amazing. I really do not understand how one person could do everything that she does and have such a warm and loving heart. We have had a difficult year, but she has not only gotten through it, but been a counselor, a caretaker, a big hug, a solid rock. She has helped us all and did it with beauty and grace. I appreciate, admire and love her so much. Love you, Ma! Mary Rice Newbury Park

I don't feel I have the best mom. I feel I am blessed with the best mom. For those of you that know her she is spiritual, loving and devoted to her family. She has been married to my dad for 55 years, been there for her five children and 12 grandchildren unconditionally in times of heartache and happiness.

My mom is living proof that God created angels. Ken Lemon Westlake Village

My mom is great because she always is nice, and she is the best. She always lets me do fun things. We do art projects together, and she always makes me laugh and smile. She's the best mom in the whole wide world. I love you, Mom. Colin Stern, 5 Westlake Village

When I think of my mother, the first word that comes to mind is her energy. Mom turned 75 last August. She is a fabulous cook and cooks every day and shares meals with all of us. Her home in Westlake Village is always sparkling clean. She is a part-time nanny to four young children who live nearby, and they too have come to claim her as part of their family. I am completely in awe and know that I could never fill her shoes. She's beyond great! Her loving daughter, Allegra Monina Westlake Village

Our mom is the greatest! We love her. She is forgiving, thoughtful, loving and playful. She reads to us and plays with us. She does the nicest things. We love her. Haley and Cam Clark, 9 and 10 Westlake Village

We are thankful for our mother. She brings us to school. She buys us food and makes wonderful meals, especially dinner. She buys us clothes. She does the laundry (we help sometimes). She always loves us. She tucks us in bed at nighttime. Best of all, she is our mommy. Happy Mother's Day to our mom, Brenda-Lee. Elizabeth and Catherine

I love my mom for so many reasons. First, she takes good care of me. Next, she is super-duper nice, and she gives the best hugs ever. Finally, she will help me with my homework if I have trouble doing it. Love you, Mom! Joseph Dinardo Thousand Oaks

My mom is always there for me and helps me with homework when I need help. She tucks me in bed every night, and she makes the best cooking and cookies for me and our family. My mother is better than any mom in the universe. Love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day! Lindsey Schrupp Westlake Village

My mom is special to me. She is very funny and always makes me laugh. She is a good cook and takes good care of me and our family. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Seth Jablonowski Thousand Oaks

I love my mom a lot. She bought me a basketball hoop, and we have gone to some really cool places like Yosemite and the Sierras. She really takes good care of me, and I love her very much. Happy Mother's Day! Ryan Kay Thousand Oaks

My mom lets me have ice cream for dessert and sometimes right after school. She lets me stay up late on the weekends, and she makes the best soup I have ever tasted. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Sean Mason Thousand Oaks

I love my mom for so many reasons. First, she takes me to lots of places and we always have fun. She is so funny and helpful to me. She takes good care of me too. My mom is the best. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Kennedy Mori Thousand Oaks

I love my mom very much. She takes good care of me and she also gives me the biggest hugs. She reads with me, and we also play Uno and Wii together. I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day! Chad Nealon Thousand Oaks

My mom takes care of me, and she also buys me toys and games. She lets my friends come over for play dates and signs me up for sports. Love you, Mom. I hope you have a Happy Mother's Day! Zachary Niebolt Thousand Oaks

My mom is great. She reads to me every night and buys me some real cool stuff. She takes me many places, like the beach and to my baseball practices. She makes sure I'm doing okay at school and with my friends. Mom, you're the greatest! Sean Michael Power Thousand Oaks

I love my mom because she is very nice and sometimes she gets me presents and takes me shopping for clothes. One time she got me some really cool stickers. My mother is great and I hope she has a Happy Mother's Day! Jeanna Polisini Thousand Oaks

I love my mom so much. She is awesome. She loves me for who I am and that makes me happy. She takes good care of me and lets me have play dates, and she lets me play sports too. She is the best mom I could ever ask for. Happy Mother's Day! Eric Rueger Collins Thousand Oaks

I love my mom for many reasons. First, she loves me no matter what and I love her too. On my birthday she lets me have my birthday wherever I want. I am so glad she is my mom. I am glad she works at my school, too, so I can see her during the day. Love you, Mom! Breann Ruiz Thousand Oaks

I have a really great mom. She buys me lots of things and takes me to Panda Express. She is also very nice to me. Mom, you're the best! Mariah Gerig Thousand Oaks

My mom always takes good care of me. I love her because she signs me up for sports, lets me have play dates and always buys the best food for our family. I love my mom so much. Happy Mother's Day 2008! Nicholas Silver Thousand Oaks

My mom makes the best pasta. My mom has to work all the time, but she always will listen to me when I have a problem. She also finds time to help at my school, and that makes me very happy. I love my mom very, very much. Happy Mother's Day! Austyn Weeks Thousand Oaks

My mom works very hard and always finds time to listen to my problems and help me. She always cooks a great dinner, too. My mom encourages me and is always there for me. I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day 2008! Makensey Werring Thousand Oaks

Dear Mom- Mom, I love you! I love you because you are supportive, funny, helpful and lots more. You help me on my book reports. Even when you say, "Leah, you're on your own. I'm not helping you anymore," you still help me. You are supportive because you always cheer me on in softball, even when I strike out. You help me with my homework. You are funny because you make me laugh a lot. You always say the silliest things. I love you so much. Hope you have the best Mother's Day ever! Leah

My mom is special to me because she takes me many places, especially to the park and the Jungle Gym. She helps me with my homework too. I love my mom more than anything in the world. Happy Mother's Day! Joseph Garay Thousand Oaks

My mommy is special because she takes good care of me and my sister, Taylor. She is very funny and nice. My favorite things to do with her are play games like Monopoly, Yahtzee, and war. I love it when she reads books to me every night. My favorite is Captain Underpants. We always have fun using the computer together. XOXOXO. Ryan Tores, 5 Thousand Oaks

Mom, on Mother's Day I just want to thank you for the thousands of things you did for me that made me stronger and wiser. You always calmed my fears and showed me I could face the world. You continually showed me how to love and be loved. Your sacrifices and unselfishness didn't go unnoticed, Mom. I couldn't have asked for a better mom to guide me on my path. I admire and respect all you do. I love you. Thank you for being you. Kaitlynn Thousand Oak

My mom is by far the greatest person in the world. Without her, I wouldn't know where I was supposed to go or what to do half the time. She does so much to help keep our family going and doesn't complain. I always do things to help her out, and it always come back to me in the end through her never-ending love. She's always there to schlep me around and take me where I need to be. Most of all, she teaches me and has made me what I am today. I love you, Mommy! Brian Ginell Thousand Oaks

Dear Mommy, I love you. Thank you for always being so kind to me, like when you went on the field trip to Santa Barbara Zoo with me and when you help me with piano. I love getting my fingernails and toenails painted with you. Happy Mother's Day! I love you! Maggie

My mom is special for so many reasons. She always supports me in whatever I do; for example, she goes to my sports games. She always takes me wherever I need to go, whether it is Hebrew school, sports or any other extracurricular activity.

When my mom is not taking me anywhere, she is always affectionate toward my brother and me, and she just always makes me happy. No matter how much work she might have to do, she always puts me first because she loves me. Adam Ginell Thousand Oaks

I love my mom so much because she does so much for me. We always have fun together, and she always makes sure I'm safe. She buys me nice clothes and shoes and takes good care of me. I love you, Mom! Jacob Pool Thousand Oaks

My mother died 18 years ago (it seems like yesterday) of cancer at the age of 55, yet I still think of her all the time. She was a very devoted mother who was always there for me. We had a special relationship that included friendship, in addition to being mother and daughter. I continue to live my life in a way that I know she would proud of. I only wish that she could have known my two sons and that they could have known her. I miss her very much. Gail (Schulman) Ginell Thousand Oaks

My mom (Hope Vincent) is the best mom ever. I'm so lucky to have her. She's the strongest person I know. She's a single mom and has worked hard for 12 years now to raise her kids on her own.

She is my best friend and helps me with every problem I have, major or minor, and constantly gives me useful advice to better myself. I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. She'd do a million things for everyone else before she did one thing for herself, which is why I did this for her. I love you, Mom! Meagan Vincent, Newbury Park

Dear Mom, You are the best mom a family could ask for. Every day you dedicate yourself to Papi, your two special girls and me. You give us strength, kindness, support and love always with warmth in your heart and a smile on your face. I could never truly express how much I appreciate you in words, but I know you can feel it in your heart. We love you! From your family, Salvador, Galy, Alex and Ruby. Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday. Linda Castillo Thousand Oaks

We lived on a farm in Iowa, and it was just mom, dad, my brother and me. My brother helped my dad in the fields, but when we were bringing in our crops mom also helped. She made huge breakfasts, dinners and suppers and in between made sandwiches to keep "the guys" going. She would feed the chickens, hogs and cattle and help my brother unload the corn into the corn crib. Then when she was totally exhausted, she would play badminton with me until dark. Only a warm, loving, kind mother would do that for her little girl. Dee Crawford Westlake Village