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To My Mom,

Every time I hear a John Mayer song lately, I think of you. I think of sitting next to you in a crowded arena, watching him play the hell out of that guitar, and feeling like we were the only ones there. Something about that night, watching you sing and dancehaving a blastmade me feel more like your friend than your daughter.

I am glad to have you as my mom, but I am even more glad to have you as one of my oldest friends. You have known me since before I was born...you have loved me unconditionally since the day I arrivedand I you. Happy Mother's Day to one of the best mom's on the planetI'm lucky to have you.

With Love, Sadie May

-Sommer J

Latima Johnson

Sharelle D. Lowery,

On February 18, 1985 I lost my mother to a massive heart attack. She was 36 years old and I was 12. For a twelve-year old girl, mom is both enemy and friend. Those pre-teen years are a time when mother imparts crucial life lessons on how to transition from a girl to a woman, how to deal with the changes in her body and most importantly, what to expect from boys.

This February marked the 25th anniversary of my moms death and I can still remember the lessons she imparted to my brothers, sister and I. Her primary focus was family education and community. She was a strong advocate for children and never hesitated to open her door and heart to someone needing a place to stay.

As a former Black Panther, she instilled in her children a sense of pride in our race and a sense of obligation to the community. In fact, she spearheaded the free lunch and breakfast program in our housing projects. She truly believed that it took a village to raise a child and would not hesitate to discipline someone elses child.Having never graduated from High School, she was a voracious reader and stressed the importance of education.

My Mom was an incredibly strong woman and although I miss her dearly, I am comforted by the memories of her I hold in my heart.

Alberta Louise Johnson-Williams June 2, 1948-February 18, 1985

-Latima

A mothers work is never done. Im not sure where that quote originated from, maybe its something that was said long ago and just passed down from one generation of mothers to the next, maybe its something that comes in that secret mothers handbook that a woman gets when she first becomes pregnant. Ive heard it at least a million times and to a child, it could mean a million things; but Ive realized over the years that it means, No matter what you go through, no matter where you are, youll never have to deal with anything by yourself.

My mother is an amazing woman. Shes 53, if you let her tell it but I personally believe shes shorter, but stands much taller. Shell take on the world if she has to if it means protecting her sons, both of whom are handsome grown men. Shes a fighter and feisty. Not too much gets past her, especially when her boys are concerned .She knows them better than they realize, better than they know themselves; which means she doesnt miss much as far as they are concerned. Shes not overbearing or intrusive. She allows them to operate and conduct themselves as men, however if necessary, she will still step in to protect her cubs when she has to, all five foot three inches of her.

Shes the perfect mom. She allows us to grow and make our own mistakes without beating us over the head when one of our ideas are ineffective. She listens and supports our dreams, as long as we come to her with a well thought out plan, she will support us and cheer us on as hard as she can. Shes kind without being fake, she will welcome whomever we bring home with open arms as long as they make us happy and dont embarrass her in front of company. Shes loving, shes caring, shes attentive and shes courageous. Shes Sylvia Chester; and shes my mom, and I love her. Happy Mothers Day!

-Darren