Patch Pays Tribute To Mom: Readers' Mother's Day Messages

Mom: She's your biggest fan, your best friend and the one who's always there for you. And while words can't possibly express the gratitude most of us have for our moms, Patch readers here in the Chicago suburbs did their best to pay tribute to the special lady in their lives.

Here's a sampling of the heartfelt messages local readers sent to their moms this Mother's day:

Krystyn Dewar wrote lovingly of her mom, former Romeoville reading teacher Marla Dewar, who taught her to be selfless and look after others:

Before she retired as a reading teacher she helped many families and children in need from the school she previously worked at in Romeoville along with other fellow teachers. One year she had me pick out clothes for kids instead of gifts for myself. She taught me how to be caring and unselfish toward others. She also taught me how to be independent and at times I'm sure she has regretted it! ... She has been a mother figure not only for myself but my close friends as well. She is helping my best friend with her wedding this September whom she allowed at one point to move in with my family and pretty much took on as a second daughter. My parents have now settled down in Michigan and my mom has beaten cancer twice in her lifetime. We are all grateful for phones and FaceTime that keep us in touch for all of life's special moments. I love having the opportunity to share not only how amazing my mother is but to also show my appreciation and love for her. I love you mom and Happy Mother's Day!

Former Wheaton resident Lisa Kimball now lives in Florida, but the distance is no match for the bond she shares with her mom, Jane:

I am so blessed by the relationship that my mom and I have. After going away to college for 4 years and then moving to Florida almost 5 years ago, we have had to deal with being 'long-distance family' for quite some time. It’s never easy having to say goodbye at the airport each time, but after a while it has become routine for us. Even though we live so far away from each other, our mother-daughter relationship has never changed. If anything, it has gotten so much stronger. I am so lucky to have my mom not only as my mom, but also as a close friend.

A pair of Eagle Scouts, Paul and Eddie Seitz tribute to their biggest supporter, mom Bonnie Gesiakowski of Hometown, who's given her all to make their dreams come true. Paul and Eddie wrote:

Happy Mother's day to the woman that has been our biggest fan through all of our creative endeavors, from moving one son 1,600 miles away to follow his dreams of becoming a Hollywood producer to flying a talented trombonist across the country to audition for his spot at Boston University in the fall. 40 years of selflessness and counting—teaching us wrong from right, independence, and that we can achieve anything we set our minds and hearts to. We are so appreciative of everything you've done and love you so much. No amount of words on a page or thank you letters can amass to support you've given us. Thank you.

Daniel Lynds shared his heartwarming message for his glamorous mom, Michelle McDonogh of Evergreen Park, known to the family as "Glamma."

My mom is Michelle McDonogh of Evergreen Park, IL. She is beautiful inside and out. She has five kids and four grandkids with a fifth grandbaby due in September. To her grandkids she is known as "Glamma" because she always looks so glamorous. Her heart for her family is so great and the sacrifices she makes for us so significant, it's truly remarkable.

With most of her kids and all her grandkids across the country (California and Texas), she is always eager to do whatever she can to ensure we can all make it to the family events, whether those be weddings, reunions, or graduations. Although she works full-time as a flight attendant, she gives of what little off-time she has by helping coordinate and plan how her kids can make the next get together, and she gives abundantly of her own financial resources by helping out with the purchase of airline tickets or hotel accommodations as needed. ...

... The times I was joyless, she had joy. The times I saw nothing good, she showed me goodness. The times I was hurting, she had empathy. The times I was faithless, she persisted in faith. The times I did wrong, she forgave. The times I felt unlovable, she loved me.

I love you mom and I am so thankful for you. I hope you have the best Mother's Day!

Read more Mother's Day 2018 messages from Illinois Patch readers.

• Thanks For Everything, Mom - Jessica and Whitney to mom Wendy, Homer Glen
• Mom Made Everyone Feel Special - Peggy Erickson, Highland Park
• 84 And Still Going Strong - Gail Haller to mom Ann Crosby, Park Ridge
• Three Generations Celebrate Mother's Day - Debbie Palkovitz to daughter Lindsey Hazdra and mom Joyce Kasmer, New Lenox
• Mom Is Daughter's Biggest Supporter - Kristyn Lykken to her mom, Oswego
• A Fun-Loving Great-Grandma - Jeanne Dresden to her mom, Lorraine Zolna, Frankfort
• Mother's Day Is Every Day: Remembering Mom - Paige Bonham to her mother, Melinda, Plainfield
• 'She's The Reason I'm A Strong Woman' - Bonnie Gesiakowski to her mom and namesake, Bonnie Leubscher, Hometown
• Mom's The Inspiration - Kim Meirhofer to her mom, Lois Geary, Joliet
• Making Memories With Mom - Penny Kirchner to her mom, Geri Kirchner, Naperville/Wheaton
• Motherhood Advice From Mom To Daughter: Enjoy The Ride - Tammy Whelan to daughter Shannon Rusch, Bucktown
• A Loving Mother And Grandmother - Annette M. Reule to her mom, Linda Schillaci, Tinley Park
• My Best Friend Mom: Happy Mother's Day - Chloë Szulc to mom Laura, Naperville
• Remembering Mom On Mother's Day - Pat Frederickson to her late mom, Frances Frederickson, Homewood
• Plainfield Woman Pays Tribute To Mom's Sense Of Humor - Camryn Friedman to her mom, Plainfield
• Daughter Is 'Beyond Thankful' For Mom - Kierra O. to her mom, Kristy R., Plainfield
• Daughter Happy To Have Mom Close By - Shirley Lentz to mom Beverly Ewers, Crest Hill
• Daughter Pays Tribute To Mom - Alicia Lucas to mom Judy Lucas, Joliet/Lockport
• Local Mom Is The Rock Of Her Family - Beth Sadler and sister Becca to mom Karen, Homer Glen
• 'Greatest Mom In The World' Is From Joliet - Nikki Wheeler to mom Genevieve Wheeler, Joliet
• Happy Mother's Day To 'Super Mom'- Amy Barma and siblings to mom Dolores Aszman, Plainfield
• Family Grateful For Grandma - Samantha Caramusa and family to grandma Marti, Plainfield
• 'We Love You As Much As You Love Kid Rock:' Mother's Day Greeting - Samantha Caramusa to "Mama Lisa," Plainfield
• 'We Can't Thank You Enough,' Family Tells Mom - Samantha Caramusa to mom Lesley Caramusa, Plainfield
• Frankfort Mom Goes 'Above And Beyond' - From Gia to mom Jennifer, Frankfort
• Daughter Shares Mother's Day Memory - Arianna and Brianna to Beckie, Orland Park
• She's My Hero,' Orland Park Son Says Of Mom - Bruce Collum Jr. to mom Wilhelmina, OrlandPark
• Orland Park Dad Pays Tribute To His Wife For Mother's Day - Ed Tully to wife Megan, Orland Park

Main photo: Paul and Eddie Seitz with Bonnie Gesiakowski/all photos submitted and used with permission