Mom of the Year 2011 - Sandy Adams

I am nominating my Mom, Sandy as mother of the year. I am not typically one to enter contests such as this, but this year felt I just had to.

My mother has had a particularly rough start to the year. At the beginning of this year she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has always been the healthy one and the rock for the family, so this has definitely changed the foundation on which we were built. My mother has always been there for me as a child, being a stay at home mom, a luxury many cannot afford in this day and age, but she was willing to sacrifice to make this happen. She held my hand through the ups and downs of growing up and when I tested her patience. She never doubted me, even during my teenage years, when I really pushed and tested her.

She was always there for me. Even when I thought I was grown up and on my own, my mom was there for me when i needed her. She came forward and held my hand, wiped my tears and helped my pocketbook, thru a particularly painful divorce. Never once questioning me or my judgement. She supported me when I was fortunate enough to find love again, and accepted my stepson as her grandson. All of that is all the proof I need that I have the most wonderful mom out there -- I wouldn't trade her for anything :D I am hoping and praying that I can be as strong for her in her time of need as she was for me, she never wavered, even when she was pushed. Even through this challenge, so far she has been strong and continues to push forward. It is this strength, compassion, and love that have me nominating her as the mother of the year. I know in my heart she is the best mother I could ever ask for.

Kathy

Mom of the Year 2010 - Carol Gee

I am writing to nominate Carol Gee for better made mother of the year! She is not only a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, daughter in law, smart business woman, and a fantastic wife.

Carol has opened her heart and home to all of her family that have been in need. Carol always has time to take care of all with a smile, a laugh and keeping all into perspective.

She has had to make some strong decisions on the care for her father and stepmother but never complains and always takes the time to visit both in separate facilities as well as takes the time to call and update everyone.

Carol has experienced the death of her brother with great dignity and strength. She has a beautiful marriage of 37 years with her husband Larry that always there to support her in all aspects of their lives. Through all this she remains attractive, fun funny, and fit. I think she is just a wonderful person. I love her so.

Larry Gee, Michigan

Contest Entries

Hi i am Jackson Neracher and i am 13 years old i live in wixom Mi, i am trying to win this contest for my mom. My mom has 5 kids.... 5 boys i should say! She has a job and it is the hardest job of all she stays home and cleans after all of us we don't ask her she just does it. My mom is the best mom ever she deserves this big time mothers day is the day thats all about her and i want this to be her best mothers day ever!

Thanks Jackson

I would like to nominate Jackie of the Free is My Life blog. Jackie juggles a full-time job, raising a son, and producing a blog all at the same time! Free is My Life is an invaluable blog based out of Detroit but almost always presenting free or almost free deals that anyone in the country could use. In this economy, notification of freebies or almost free is crucial for making ends meet, and Jackie does it in such a way that I look forward to seeding her blog email every day! Furthermore, she has clearly managed, despite already having the two jobs, to excel at a third job--that of a single parent raising her son. I have not met her son but can glean from the photos and anecdotes, that he will be a wonderful and well-rounded person, having learned from his mom Jackie.

Jackie of FREE is my Life has my vote!

Mary E. Gropp

Esther Russell is the "Best Grandma in the Whole World," so I am nominating her for Mother of the Year. I believe this, as much today, as I did when I was 5 years old. If I were to describe my grandmother, in one word, it would be angel. Grandma hasn't only been my "grandma" for 33 years and counting, she has been my mother, father, my support, my personal cheering section, as well as my friend. Many times she has put her own dreams and plans aside to help me achieve mine. My grandma is the most important person I could ever know. She has helped me to take my first step, and continues to encourage me to reach for my dreams and run with them.

My grandmother grew up in a poor home with 3 brothers and 1 sister, so she taught me how to work hard and make an honest living.

When I was in the hospital dozens of times with pneumonia, when I had my tonsils out at age 7, the multiple times I had tubes put in my ears--- my grandma never left my side.

When I started elementary school she was there to take pictures and accompany me to school the first day --- my grandma never missed any performance that I was in.

When I came home from school, I knew just where to run --- my grandmother would be in the kitchen making something 'yummy' and still does at age 87!

When I began playing the violin and clarinet, I 'squeaked' and 'screeched' --- my grandma would just listen and smile.

When I played softball, I knew who was in the crowd--- my grandma, who didn't understand the rules, but cheered the loudest.

When I went into labor with my son---my grandma drove home, from camp in New York, to be there for me.

When I was in college---my grandma watched my son and took him back and forth to pre-school.

When I was a child and decided what I wanted to be for Halloween the day before---my grandma would stay up all night sewing to have the costume finished for the next day.

I know that it was her encouragement and belief in me that helped me to achieve good grades, obtain my goals and be the kind of person I am proud to be. I know I caused her some worries as a teenager, and I know I have done some things she hasn't approved of, but she has remained by my side. She has always been there when I needed advice, or a shoulder to cry on, or just a good recipe. She is always thinking of her grandchildren and great-grand grandchildren when she is out shopping. She will buy us gifts for no particular reason, but to see a smile and get a hug and kiss.

She has been through so much in the past few years yet still does more in a day than I. About ten years ago she was rushed to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh because her blood pressure was dangerously high and doctors were unable to get it down. I followed the ambulance to Pittsburgh and was with her everyday. Both of her kidneys were blocked and she had an aneurysm on her aorta. She had one kidney removed, the other bypassed, the aneurysm removed and aorta repaired. At the time I thought it was the longest 8 ½ hours ever while she was in surgery. I remember thinking "There is no way I can live without her." After a long recovery she was back to baking and sewing daily! Four years ago she had a heart attack was rushed to UPMC Passavant Hospital in Cranberry Township. Again, I was right behind the ambulance. At age 83 she had triple bypass surgery and a heart valve replacement. I stayed at the hospital day and night until she was alert after surgery and up, talking and eating. I then decided to go home for a few hours to get a shower and retrieve some clean clothes. I had just pulled into the driveway when my cell phone rang, it was the hospital. They told me that grandma's heart had stopped and they had taken her back into surgery. My brother and I pulled right back out of the driveway, picked up my father (who we had just dropped off) and headed back to the hospital. Again I was thinking "There is no way I can live without her." She was still in surgery when we arrived at the hospital and we were informed that they had inserted a pacemaker and she was stable. Two days later she was alert and doing fairly well. I was in the ICU taking my turn to visit, and while I was talking to her, her speech became slurred and the left side of her mouth dropped. With-in 5 minutes they rushed her to neurology and they informed me that she had a stroke, and that this was the second one. After about 2 months of complications she was home for good. Four years later she is back to baking and sewing. She isn't able to quilt anymore due to loss of feeling in her fingers and becomes very nervous and shaky completing things that involve fine motor skills with her hands due to the strokes, but to someone who didn't know this, she appears to have no lasting effects. She has told me many times, "There is a reason that I'm still here, someone must need me." I'm convinced that "someone" is me!

I have recently bought a house across the road from grandma and I love being so close. Sometimes I send my leftovers to her house for lunch the next day and sometimes she calls to say that she made extra for dinner and we should come over to eat. She cleans her carpets once a week, goes to the post office daily to pick up her mail (she could have her mail delivered at home but insisted on a P.O. box because she lives on a hill and didn't want my dad or I as a child to attempt to get the mail and be hit by a car), continues to walk up and down the basement stairs to do laundry, goes to church on Sunday, and attends bingo on Friday night. When she needs something fixed I run right over to assist and when I need something sewn she is there to assist me. We laugh because she tells everyone that I'm her mechanic, electrician, and plumber but she is my personal seamstress!

I never remember seeing anything out of it's place at Grandma's house. Grandma has "The Golden Rules for Living" attached to her refrigerator with a magnet.

• If you open it, close it.
• If you turn it on, turn it off.
• If you unlock it, lock it up.
• If you break it, admit it.
• If you can't fix it, call in someone who can.
• If you borrow it, return it.
• If you value it, take care of it.
• If you make a mess, clean it up.
• If you move it, put it back.
• If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.
• If you don't know how to operate it, leave it alone.
• If it's none of your business, don't ask questions.

She follows every one of these rules and has taught all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to follow these rules also. My grandma is the most perfect person that I have ever met. I have never heard my grandma swear, tell a lie, talk about or be mean to another person, or deny help to anyone in need. A story that she tells is of a man coming to the door of a home where she was helping to take care of the home and a family of a woman who had become very ill. The man at the door told her that he was traveling and that he was hungry. She brought him into the home and fed him at the table. Later that evening the man. who she had fed. went to a home and shot a father and young son. She was devastated that someone that she thought was in need, and had been so good to, would do such a thing.

Grandma always says that she likes to do things to be useful. About a year ago my washing machine broke. When I told Grandma what had happened she said "Bring your laundry here and I'll wash it." I did not want my grandma doing my laundry but she insisted that she wanted to do it because it made her feel useful. She washed it, dried it, and neatly folded it! She says that she likes picking up my daughter from activities if I'm at work and going to the credit union for me, because she likes to do things to help.

My grandfather passed away in 1998 and in 2005, my grandmother became remarried to a wonderful man, George Russell (who is 8 years younger than her). George has Parkinson's Disease and the disease has progressed significantly since their marriage. In a recent stressful bout with some major complications with George's disease, someone asked my grandma "Did you know he had Parkinson's when you married him"? Her reply was "Yes, but I love him and I knew he would need someone to take care of him." A few years ago Grandma and George bought a pool table to put in the basement and they play pool everyday! Can you imagine? An 87 year old woman and a 79 year old man having daily pool tournaments! And by the way…the winner has to pay the loser a quarter!

I don't know how many years my grandma has left and I would love for her to win this award so that before she leaves this world she knows, without a doubt, how much she has influenced me and how very much I appreciate everything she has done for me. Grandma lost her mother(aka Grammy), in 1987 , and I know Grammy could never be prouder of her as she watches from above. I hope that my grandchildren will one day think as much of me as I do of my grandma. I could never tell you about all of her wonderful qualities and how much she is loved and appreciated. I do know that I can only tell her three little words every day for the rest of my life and hope she knows how much I mean it when I say 'I love you.'

Toni Forsythe

First of all thank you for the opportunity to let me tell you about my mother, Ella Pizzuti, who in many peoples eyes is the BEST MOTHER/FRIEND IN THE WORLD! :) Mom is 85 years young and is my best friend. She has raised seven children of her own and still works full time! Mom retired about 4 years ago from Birmingham Public Schools where she worked with children with special needs as a Paraprofessional on a school bus and also was a Noon Supervisor at Harlan Elementary for 2 hours per day.

When she retired, the Superintendent came to her retirement party!! After a few months of retirement, she missed her job so much she went back to work in the same positions. She begins her day at 6:30 am (she even wakes me up) and ends her day at 4:45 pm loving each and every minute! When there is no school or we are out on break/vacation she wishes she was back at work. On our ride home, Mom shares her day with me including how some of kids are still hungry after lunch so she will get them more food, or if they don't have anything for lunch she makes sure they eat or she rewards them for being so good - they even call her Grandma (she has 13 grandchildren & 3 great grandchildren of her own). She solves conflicts when students have an issue and they simply become friends in the end. She makes sure that all coats are zipped up, hat/gloves are on before going outside for recess - when students forgot their gloves, she will take hers off & let them wear hers. She always thinks of her students on the bus as her own, she starts their day off with a friendly good morning and makes them feel like they are the most important person in the world. She purchases gifts for them at every holiday. She will bring toys on the bus so if they are having a bad day she tries to make it a little better. She is the most caring and compassionate person and has such love for all people. You can ask any person who knows or works with Mom - she is a very special lady.

Mom is a friend to everyone - if you need to talk, she will listen, if you need a loan she will go without and give it to you. Mom loves the Red Wings & Detroit Tigers - she is a faithful fan & attends as many games as she can! When she is not at a game she watches it on TV and becomes a cheerleader in the living room. Even after losing two of her sons and all of her 13 brothers and sisters - she has so much life in her - she is simply amazing and very wise. You could ask her what happened a year ago and she would tell you and also tell you what you were wearing - I can't even remember what I did yesterday.

I know there are so many mothers who are wonderful, but I just had to share my mom with you! Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mothers in the world!

Thank you!
Made in Michigan, Francine Mershman

I am writing to submit my mother into the Better Made Mom of the Year Contest. Honesty it could take me years to tell you how much I love my mother and how much she truly means to me, but I'm going to keep it as short as possible.

My mother Monique James is strong, independent, intelligent, considerate, and an understanding woman. She has provided for me and my brothers and sisters as a single mother for the past 23 years and she has done a great job. While juggling a full time job, a full time family, and going back to school she has still found time to take care of the ones she loves. My mother has always been a strong person who I consider myself lucky to have. She has encouraged me and my brothers and sisters to do whatever we set our minds to. She has always been supportive and a great person to lean on. She has always strived for greatness and encouraged any and everyone to do the same. Nothing or anyone in this world could or try to replace this wonderful mother that God has blessed me with. Whether I know it or not I know I have a life-long friend who I can always depend on to be there for me.

No matter what happens my mother will always be the greatest and strongest woman that I know. Love and support are the most important things in our family and there hasn't been a day that goes by that I wasn't reminded that I had all the love and support in the world, from my MOTHER. Most people think that they have the greatest mom in the world, so its normal for me to think the same about the wonderful woman who gave birth to me. She is all of the things I know her to be and absolutely so much more. No one could ever say anything that would be disagreeing with the way I feel about her. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I Love You Mom and nothing or anything could ever change that.

D.James, Detroit.

My Mom is the best mom on the planet. She had a stroke about 11 years again, we all live together in Northern Michigan. (we are originally from Southwest Detroit!) We are getting ready to move to South Carolina and we are afraid that we will not be able to get Better Made- although I found out that they have Faygo!

My mom has overcome the problems that having a stroke left her with. She isn't able to speak well, and she has difficulty with 1 hand and 1 foot. She is a Great Grandma to my 2 boys and she makes our house a home no matter what our zip code is. She supports both myself and my husband in any adventure we can dream up and she is always there to help with anything she can! Nothing puts a smile on her face like a bag of Better Made Cheese Popcorn and a Red Pop. That's all you need on a Wings night. She asks for so little and gives so very much. We are not a wealthy family by any stretch of the imagination- but we are rich in our family. She has taught us all so much, Never be ashamed of who you are and where you come from, stand up and tell them you are from Detroit! My mom makes sure that we know where we come from, she is always there for pep talk when the chips are down and I can not think of a Better person to be the Better Made Mom of The Year.

Please consider my mom for the Better Made Mom of the Year- it would make her so happy and she is so deserving.

Thank you!
Amy Robbins

My Mother, Marguerite Evans, is 101 Years Old and a Michigan native who only purchased Better Made chips as I was growing up!
The tradition continues ...wouldn't buy any other brand and plan on taking them to our friends in New Mexico!

Susan Evans, Plymouth, Michigan

My wife is the greatest mom, we have 2 kids, one is 7 and the other is 12, she is batteling cancer now for 5 yrs and is taking chemo every 2 weeks. She never complains altho I know she is sick, she takes great care of the kids .....and me. She is an inspiration to every one she meets. She has hed a pretty rough time with her fight, but she never gives up. She is to the people that know her, the strongest woman they have met. We buy Bettermade chips pretty regular and have them shipped to our home in Tennessee. Thank you for your consideration.

I am nominating my Mom, Denise Deyarmond Mother of the year. Of course, just like most mom's out there,she is kind, sweet caring loving.... the list can go on and on and on.

My mom has the patience of a saint and skin tough as leather. She has three girls, 2 of which are now teenagers. Very sassy mouthy teenagers ( of course I was an angel ) She is and was always involved in all of our activities, going to band concerts, soccer games, church youth group, and can take us anywhere we need to go on a drop of a dime, even though she works close to 50 hours a week.

Last year, my dad was very Ill. On top of all the running around she did for my sisters, she made sure on her lunch break or after work, she would have at least one meal with my dad in the ICU. When my dad's health improved a little bit they moved him to a short termed care facility 50 miles from where she worked. Still after work, almost every day she would drive to see him.

I always respected my mom, but my respect grew more for her when she would call me after a stressful day vent, cry, scream, yell because she was at her witts end with the stress from work, and having a sick husband. It showed me even though growing up I thought of my mom as my personal chauffeur and chef that she is human and cannot handle everything on her own.

Even though I moved out of state, she calls me at the same time every day. I am so blessed to have such a great relationship with my mom. She means the world to me, and every so often she will send me Better Made Corn pops , or cheese popcorn because I cannot get them in Wisconsin!!!

When I become a Mom, I hope I can be the mom that she was to me.

Amy Deyarmond

As an Army wife my mother, Deborah Hoffman, often had to play the role of both mother and father. Since my father was frequently away, my mother had to cook dinner and help a 10 year old pass the baseball, make a Christmas costume and use the saw to make that Christmas tree fit its holder (that was a funny one). She was always there for us, the one constant in our lives as we moved from base to base, school to school. She cheered at our basketball games, drove us to dance, made cupcakes for our school parties, held us when we were sick, and comforted us when we missed our daddy who was often many miles away. She did all of this herself, as our grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc never lived close enough to any of the bases were we stationed at to help her out. She always made us feel special and loved and we always had everything we needed - home was where she was, not a certain house or hometown.

Since the days of our childhood, my mother has gone from being a mother of 3 to a mother of 3 and grandmother of 7! She is an active participate in the lives of her grandchildren and makes each one of them feel loved and cherished. She has battled and survived breast cancer with the same determination that she used to keep her family safe and happy. I love her and am proud to call her Mother.

Angela Spengler, Clovis, NM

When I think of a "Best Mom" contest I must always think of my only sister Debby Slavens. She has sure had her ups and downs in her life and she has always picked her self off and became even better from it all. When she was just 21 years of age while she was only just married a short while. She had her first baby and he turned out to be a downs child. Now, some folks may have thought this to be a bad thing my sister thought it was a good thing, from the moment she laid her eyes on that little baby boy she nothing but love and nurturing to give to him. She started him a school when he was just 3 months of age. She also had a little girl a few years later. She has taught our whole family that to be mentally challenged is not a bad thing and not to stare when we see a person that is different then us.

She has gone through so much with him, he had so many health issues when he was young and almost died many, many times. She always refused to let him go in such a way, she believes with all of her being that God gave her Richard for a reason and he has always given her the strength to handle all that was handed to her. She is the strongest, most loving mother I have ever, ever known in this life, I know we all say that but I so honestly mean it, I wish I could give her a medal as she so deserves at least that. God sure knew what he was doing when he blessed her with her son, Richard. He now is doing GREAT, he has a girlfriend who my sister has taken her in also and takes care of her, she just has so much love to go around. Richard also holds down a job at Wendy's and has had it for many years.

The only thing I can say is she never has complained, not once. I love my sister and thank god she is my sister and the worlds best mom!!!

Diana Albers

When I received your email about this contest, I had to share with you why I think my mom is best! I'll start with listing all the obvious things that BEST moms are: trusting, loving, supporting, fun, honest,and caring. My mom, Laurie Schultz, is all of those things. She has raised three children and has never stopped loving or volunteering to help any of us for small favors or monumental life challenges. It is the small things that my mom has done that has led me to write you. Especially because it pertains to your barbecue potato chips...

As a kid, I grew up eating Better Made chips. It was a desired staple in our household. When I went off to college at Central Michigan, I missed the days when I could walk into my parent's pantry and snack on chips whenever I wanted. Of course stores nearby carried them, but it wasn't the same. I didn't even realize what I would be in for when I left Michigan to pursue graduate school in Minnesota. "They don't even carry Better Made chips here Mom!" was one of my early observations. My mom never disappointed though, sending me small barbecue samples in care packages (what a great mom, right?!). My degree and career landed me in Minnesota for the last 9 years. Luckily, my mom has mastered the ability to pack Better Made barbecue chips into every carry-on piece of luggage she takes when she comes to visit me. Every time we "meet" half way in Chicago, she always remembers the chips! And when she made road trips to Minnesota when I was pregnant, she always brought the chips to fill my cravings. Who else would do this time and time again, except for the BEST MOM ever! The fact that my mom is always willing to do this, never needs a reminder, and it is just accepted that she can't come without chips to my house has become a funny inside joke for anyone traveling with her and of course my husband.

The funniest part of all of this is that I've now been able to impart on my 3 year old daughter a bit of a family tradition. She calls that orange Better Made bag the "special chips" and knows she needs to say pretty please to have some. Of course, I hope one day she considers me to be a BEST mom of the year for exposing her to one of Michigan's greats!

Thanks for your time,
Pam Congemi

My mother, stayed with me every night I spent at children's hospital of detroit getting chemotherapy. I am now in dental school in Ann Arbor, and can say I wouldn't be doing what im doing without her help, love, and support.

Michael D'Hondt

Mom takes care of everybody in the family.

Jane Jakins

My moms name is Carol she is the best woman I know. Going back to when we were kids lets see it was Sam,John,Lisa,James (lost to SIDS),than came James the 3rd and finally me. She is always willing to help anybody that needs money,food,a place to crash for a few days,advice.shes always getting us together for family dinners on birthdays and holidays. it all started when she moved us out of a bad neighbor hood in hopes we would become good adults.as far back as I can remember every happy moment in my life as a child or preteen my mom was there or responsible for them.

Growing up my mother took in some of our cousins to help them out as well,when I was 16 my mother wanted a baby and couldn't have anymore so she looked into adoption and welcomed Rich into our home when he was a mere 2 days old. He has graduated from Redford Union High School and now attends U of M Dearborn campus he is going to be an orthopedic surgeon. She gave up having a bedroom at times so all the kids could,times she didn't eat so we had food. She fought to keep my family together on a cpl occasions.

There was a house fire when I was just a baby we lost everything but she never broke and never us up we stayed by her as she rebuilt our lives.she is there for us day in and day out my husband and I would help her out by fixing her car for her since she has limited funds and a cpl weeks later we get a money order made out to us with a note thanks for everything you do for me go have dinner on me kids. She's always thinking about others never herself. She babysits her granddaughter she would watch all of the grand kids if needed. She doesn't have a husband nor boyfriend her kids show her fun times and get her out sometimes for some of the dinners so she is not always cooking but that is what she prefers. She lost her very best friend yrs ago and spends most of her time alone but will hang out with her sister Nancy as well as nieces and nephews she enjoys bingo.

The one thing she always stressed to me was no matter what you need to remember a woman does not need a man to make her a woman or pay her bills a woman can take care of herself never depend to much on any but you. Because of her I am the woman I am as well as my sister Lisa and Lisa is the 2nd best woman I know. I am very proud to call Carolyn Sue Horn as my mother and I always will be.

Kimberly Steele