*This blog is brought to you in partnership with The Wellness Garden and is a paid collaboration.*

Mother's Day is more than a holiday—it’s a celebration of unconditional love, strength, and the guiding force that shapes who we are. At The Kokomo Post, we wanted to make this year’s tribute was something truly special. That’s why, over the last two weeks, we launched our “Your Mom” campaign—inviting our community to shine the spotlight on the women who have meant the most to them.

The response was nothing short of heartwarming. From the simplest of moments to the most heroic acts of love, dozens of locals shared their moms' stories—and now, we’re sharing them with you.

But we didn’t do this alone.

A Meaningful Partnership: The Wellness Garden

This campaign was brought to life in partnership with The Wellness Garden of Kokomo—a place deeply aligned with the spirit of Mother’s Day. The Wellness Garden is a holistic health practice that empowers individuals to live fully by addressing the root causes of health challenges. From personalized wellness evaluations and hormone testing to detoxification and nutritional support, they champion physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Why did we team up? Because at its core, The Wellness Garden believes that nurturing the body and soul is essential—and there’s no one who embodies that nurturing spirit more than a mom.

The Spotlight They Deserve: Submissions from Kokomo

Here are the heartfelt tributes from our readers—each one a testament to the profound impact of a mother’s love:

“My mom is the best because she is always there when I need her. I haven’t always been the best kid… and I’ve made my share of mistakes (even as an adult!), but no matter what I got myself into, she was there to support me. She always let me know that no matter how far I got down, she would be there to lift me up. I am beyond blessed that my kids now get to enjoy her even more than I did. She is my best friend, and she has always given me the advice I needed to get through this crazy life! I literally got blessed with the best mom!!!”

"My mom is the best because she is the pure definition of mom. She does all the normal expectations of a mom, but she has morphed into Mamaw. I think her heart is happiest when she is with my kids. They adore her, and nothing defines a mom best than her grandchildren."

"My mom is the best because she always tries to go out of her way to be there for my teenaged sister and me. She is so strong, independent, and amazing! She helped push me to my goal of becoming a nurse. She also is the best Gigi to her granddaughter! So lucky to have her in my life!"

Submitted by: Brayden, Dameco, Damian and Keelan

“Our mom provides for my three brothers and myself. We’re 16, 11, 10, and 9, and sometimes a lot to handle, but still, every day she works second shift at Chrysler to provide for us. She misses out on a lot of our sports, but we know she is still always cheering us on (she texts us just so we know, and posts on FB for everyone to know how proud of us she is). Our mom does everything she can for us, by herself. Sometimes I think we take for granted how great she is, and we should probably tell her more—so that’s why we’re writing this.

My little brothers said to add she cooks for us, spends all her money on us, rides bikes and scooters with them, and takes them swimming. We just want our mom to know how loved she is.”

"Now that I'm older, I appreciate that my mom worked two jobs to keep my brother and me housed and fed. Heck, I'm tired after one job! She was tired from working all those hours and keeping her kids out of trouble—a full-time job in itself."

"Happy Mother’s Day to truly the best mom! I can’t fathom how much love I have for her. I wish her the best Mother’s Day ever. You truly deserve it all. Love you, Momma!"

"My mom, Glenda Jeffries, is an all-around amazing person. I recently became disabled, and she makes sure I’m taken care of. I’m 50 years old—her job taking care of me should’ve ended years ago, but she shows up daily. When I was a single mom raising my son, she took him every day while I worked and taught him life lessons. Garage saled and went to flea markets. She has taken care of her dad, my dad, my son, me, and now watches over her three great-grandchildren. She is truly the puzzle piece of the family that we can’t live without or replace."

“If there’s one person who keeps our family grounded, united, and thriving, it’s my mom, Kalena. She’s more than just the heart of our family—she’s the glue that holds us together through every season of life. As a loving wife, a devoted mother to one daughter and one son, a caring mother-in-law, and an incredible grandmother to five energetic grandsons, Kalena has spent her life putting family first.

Her love isn’t quiet or distant—it’s bold, active, and felt in every corner of our lives. Kalena is constantly finding creative and heartfelt ways to bring us closer, whether it’s organizing a spontaneous family game night, hosting unforgettable holiday meals, or simply sending a text reminding us that we’re loved and prayed for.

But Kalena’s reach extends far beyond just our family. For years, she served as a children’s church teacher, stepping into the role of interim mother for countless children—many of whom came from challenging home environments. In every class, she poured out patience, wisdom, and unconditional love. She didn’t just teach lessons; she helped shape lives.

What truly sets Kalena apart is how far her care extends. She’s been a second mother to young girls going through some of life’s most difficult chapters at Nesting Doves—offering love, guidance, and mentorship when they had no one else to turn to. She’s given her time, her wisdom, and her heart to those who needed it most, without ever asking for anything in return.

Her impact also echoes throughout the wider community. Kalena is the visionary behind the United State of Women event in Kokomo, Indiana—an empowering experience she created for women seeking purpose, clarity, and growth. Through this powerful event, she has mentored and uplifted women from all walks of life, helping them navigate the next steps to elevate themselves personally and professionally. She speaks life and positivity over every woman who crosses her path, challenging them to rise above limitations and walk boldly in their gifts.

Kalena’s legacy is one of faith, strength, and service. Her signature words—“Love God, respect your parents, and get an education”—aren’t just a mantra; they’re a compass that’s guided our family and many others. She challenges us all to grow—not through pressure, but through love, example, and unwavering belief in our potential.

She’s inclusive. She’s present. She’s tireless in her care. And her love doesn’t just nurture—it transforms.

For all she’s done and continues to do—not just for her own children and grandchildren, but for generations of others—there’s no doubt in my mind: Kalena is the best mom, the best grandmother, and one of the most remarkable women you could ever hope to know.”

“Growing up, I often wondered how one human heart could stretch wide enough to cradle an entire world. Then I looked at my mother and found the answer. 

In 1976, when most teenagers were choosing hairstyles and favorite records, my mom was choosing diapers over dance floors, lullabies over late‑night parties. She became a mother of a premature baby before she could cast a vote, and the world whispered the word “statistic.” She answered with resolve. While her classmates marched across graduation stages, she marched into restaurants and grocery stores—into any place that exchanged wages for courage. She learned to balance paychecks the way circus artists balance on tightropes: arms outstretched, eyes fixed forward, failure not an option. From those early days, I learned that “responsibility” is not a noun; it’s a pulse.

Life, however, delights in adding weight to already‑full arms. Years later, when her grandchild was born with special needs, my mom opened those same arms wider still. She became a caregiver, therapist, advocate, and relentless cheerleader, speaking to doctors in medical‑jargon second language, translating fear into action. She logged the kind of nights where alarms replace dreams and hospital hallways replace lullabies. Yet each morning, she brewed hope alongside the coffee, serving both with a weary smile that fooled no one but inspired everyone.

Her résumé is typed in invisible ink—its bullets are moments. Like the time her employer scheduled a mandatory shift on my birthday. She asked for the day off; they refused. She quit, walked out, and we celebrated my birthday together with memories I will cherish forever. Most people earn trophies; my mom surrendered a paycheck to earn my memory. It’s still framed in my mind, polished by gratitude.

She raised me in a household where “please” and “thank you” were as sacred as prayers, and kindness was never conditional. Stray cats became family, spiders were escorted outdoors, and even weeds received apologies when pulled. From her, I learned that every creature is somebody’s baby, and every human carries a story you can’t see. She taught my tongue to default to gentleness, my hands to default to help.

What makes my mom unique is not a single act, but an ethic: love is an action verb with infinite tenses. It is past—surviving the judgment of small‑town whispers. It is present—advocating for a better world, advocating for my son's healthcare. And it is future—planting bulbs she may never see bloom, trusting that beauty is a relay race where the baton is kindness passed forward.

When I am tempted to measure success by titles or possessions, I remember my mother’s currency: moments rescued from the ordinary.

She is proof that circumstance is a canvas, not a cage. A teen mom can become a matriarch; a single income can fund infinite affection; a weary caregiver can glow brighter than fluorescent hospital lights. My mom’s uniqueness lies in her quiet refusal to believe in the impossible—and her daring insistence that love, practiced daily, can renovate reality.

I am the beneficiary of that daily renovation. I carry her lessons in my posture and her courage in my cells. If the world calls her “ordinary,” it is because the world has forgotten how extraordinary endurance can be when fueled by love. 

So here’s to my mother: teen mom, single parent, night‑shift warrior, advocate, empath, and gentle tamer of every trembling creature. She did not simply raise a child; she raised the standard for what love looks like when it refuses to break. And that, to me, is uniqueness defined.”

“My mother is one of the greatest moms ever. She’s tough, and she has taught us to be tough. Over the years, she has faced more than most—battling breast cancer not once, but twice, and surviving a heart attack. She’s experienced deep personal loss, saying goodbye to her parents, a son, a granddaughter, a sister, and later, her husband. Through each heartbreak, she stepped up—out of seven siblings, she held it together for everyone.

Even when life dealt unimaginable blows, like losing her eye in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Still, she pushed forward.

She’s been a caregiver, a peacemaker, and a quiet warrior who held the family together through every storm. No matter the pain, she stayed strong—for her five kids, her 17 grandkids, her 21 great-grandkids, and her seven siblings.

This woman has been through it all, and yet she survives. She is the best mom God ever made, and she’s taught us all that we can get through anything—as long as we have family.”

“My mom is the best mom I could ever ask for. She has always been a role model and a constant support throughout my life. She has always been the one person to cheer me on in every stage of life—and now does the same for my kids. I couldn’t imagine life without her.”

“My mom is the kindest person I know. She always puts others before herself, and her love has shaped me into the person I am today. Some of my favorite memories are our girls' days—shopping, laughing, or just sitting side by side, saying nothing but feeling everything. Her presence brings comfort, her heart brings warmth, and her example has taught me how to live with grace and love. If I didn’t have her as a mother, I would have her as a friend. I’m beyond lucky to call her mine.”

“It’s hard to keep this short with words about such an amazing woman. My mom, Pat Bragg, was the MOST amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, and friend. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting her, you were automatically family—accepted and loved.

She always wore a smile, and she was ALWAYS the best cheerleader anyone could ever want on their team. Her love and compassion shined brightly, and that was very obvious to anyone who knew her. She stood behind me and all her family, regardless of whether we were making a good or bad decision.

She raised me with good, strong values to navigate this world—she just never taught me how to navigate it without her! I’m certain there are a million amazing moms in this world; however, Pat Bragg was the greatest gem ever!!! Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day, Mom… I love you to the sky!!”

“My mom is the strongest, most amazing woman I know. I’d be lucky to ever be a quarter of the mom she is!”

“My mom, Tina, is truly an incredible person. She loves her family more than anything. She ALWAYS shows up for us, no matter what. She is the definition of kindness. She is an RN in Lafayette. She’s dedicated her life to caring for others and truly enjoys taking care of people. There was a fellow nurse there who needed a kidney a few years ago, and on a whim, my mom got tested to see if she was a match—and sure enough, she was! She donated her kidney to a colleague and saved her life! In my opinion, she’s an angel on Earth. She is the glue that holds us all together. The life advice that I’ve received from her is invaluable, and my goal is to be half of the mother that she is.”

“I love my mom, and I wouldn't be where I am without her. She has helped me so much in life, and I am happy to say I share similarities with her in every way. She is very unique and special, and I am happy to have her as my mom.”

“The older I get, the more I realize just how strong, resilient, caring, and deeply invested my mom is. And I think it’s true that the appreciation and the realization really hits hardest as you grow up, as you experience your own hardships and start to see your mom in a different light. Not just as your mother, but as her whole, true self.

This past year, my family has experienced tremendous loss, heartache, and uncertainty. And while my own heart was breaking, it was somehow also swelling with pride for my mom more than ever before.

We lost the rock of our family. My best friend. My go-to. My everything. And just when I thought the pain couldn’t get any heavier, it hit me… my mom had just lost her mom.

From the very beginning to the bitter end, my mom showed up. She was strong. She was gentle. She was a caregiver, a coordinator, an administrator. She was everything for her mom. I’ve never witnessed such selflessness in my life.

Through all the hardship and grief, I’ve gained a deeper, more profound appreciation for who my mom truly is. I couldn’t be more proud of her strength and her unwavering capacity to give.

While I know this Mother’s Day will no doubt be a hard one, I hope my mom knows how deeply she is loved and how much we still need her, just as she needed (and still needs) her own mom.”

“If you would’ve told me at 16 that my mom would become one of my best friends in my 20s and 30s, then I’d probably never believe you. But here I am, 32, and she is the one that I know I can always depend on for anything at any time.

Now, being a mother of two and married, I honestly don’t know how my momma did it as a single mom of just me growing up—but she always made a way for everything. Everyone would always joke that I was spoiled, and yeah, I indeed was—and it was all because of her. No matter how little money she had, she always made sure the bills were paid and always gave me what I wanted, even when I probably didn’t deserve it.

Now that I’m older, I appreciate her so much more, and I’m so happy she gave me all the lessons on motherhood. I sure still need her now, as I’m still learning every day and facing so many challenges with motherhood.

She is more deserving of everything because she has the kindest soul. And I’m not just saying that because she is my mom—I’m saying that because if you asked anyone, they would tell you the same.

I love my mom so much and appreciate her more than she will ever know. She’s the best mom and mamaw out there!”

“There are not enough words in the world to fully express why I love my mom, but I’ll try. My mom is the most selfless, hard-working woman I know. She has a heart that reflects the love of the Lord in everything she does—always putting others before herself, always giving, always showing kindness without hesitation.

She’s the kind of person who would drop anything and everything to help someone in need, whether she knows them or not. Her warmth is felt instantly—she’s the sweetest, most genuine soul who makes friends for life just by being herself.

On top of all that, she’s the best baker and cook you’ll ever meet. Her kitchen is filled with love, and every meal feels like a hug.

I’m so proud and deeply grateful to not only call her my mom, but also my best friend. Her love has shaped me in ways I’ll forever carry, and I thank God every day for the blessing she is.”

“Mother’s Day holds a much deeper meaning for me now that I’m a mom myself. I lost my own mom almost six years ago, and not a day goes by that I don’t find myself cherishing the memories we made together. She was always there — offering a helping hand, a listening ear, and never missing a moment to cheer on her grandkids. She was the first person I would call, whether the news was joyful or heavy, standing by my side through every high and low.

Her advice and wisdom were gifts I valued more than she probably ever knew. She taught me how to be the best version of myself, always reminding me that growth and change are beautiful parts of being a woman. She was my person, my steady rock, and the woman I looked up to with all my heart.

I feel so blessed to have had her as my mother — the best mom in the world — and I carry her love, strength, and spirit with me every single day.”

“Lydia is such an incredible support and role model. She has 3 kids. Both of her sons married women with hard childhoods and strained maternal relationships (myself being one of the two). She has managed to keep her relationship with her sons healthy and stepped into the role of my mother seamlessly. She is always there for me one-on-one and supports me with my business and all of my dreams. I love her so much and know my life would completely shift without her.”

“My mom stuck by my side through 23 years of addiction/alcoholism and never gave up on me. I have been drug- and alcohol-free since 7-21-10. We have rebuilt our relationship and have had a blast for many years. She’s a warrior, a kind person, and I love her so much! Happy Mother’s Day to an epic woman.”

“I think my mom is amazing, and she is always so good to everyone. She has never met a stranger—she treats anyone she meets like family.”

“My mom has helped me through so much—from dealing with depression to so much more! My mom has truly saved me. She saved me in many other ways too! I couldn’t ask for anybody better. My mom was also a young parent, so she had her struggles but always pushed through for us kids. I love you!”

“My mom is the best not just because of what she’s done for me — but how she’s done it. Even from thousands of miles away, she’s been my biggest supporter, my loudest cheerleader, and my most honest inner voice (yes, even when she’s reminding me to drink water and stop overthinking).

She missed a lot of big moments growing up — birthdays, school events, even quiet days I just wanted her around — but somehow, she still found a way to show up for all of them. Her love crossed oceans in the form of long messages, voice notes, and balikbayan boxes that felt like hugs wrapped in tape.

Now that I’m a parent myself, I realize how hard that must have been for her, and how much strength it took to keep going — for me, and for us. Every lesson she gave, every reminder I once rolled my eyes at, is now what helps me stay grounded. She gave up so much so I could grow into who I am today. And for that — for all of it — she’ll always be the best in my eyes.”

“She’s always been one of my greatest supports—whether I was hundreds of miles away or just a floor beneath her, that unwavering love never changed. Her presence has been a constant through every up and down, always showing up with quiet strength, a listening ear, and, sometimes, unsolicited laundry advice.

Now, watching her step into the role of grandmother to our two kids has been a true blessing. She’s creating new memories with them, just like the ones I still carry with me. I know our kids will never forget the moments they’ve had with her—especially the ones that somehow always involve a mysteriously shrinking sweater or a lecture on how not to overload the dryer (yes, we’re still talking about that one).

We’re lucky to have her.”

“My mom is one of the toughest, most dependable people I know. She’s not the type to back down from a challenge, and somehow she always finds a way to handle everything without losing her cool. She’s the one who kept things together when life got messy, who showed up even when she was tired, and who always made sure we had what we needed, no matter what it cost her. She doesn’t just care, she acts. And you always know where you stand with her because she’s honest, direct, and solid.

What makes her great isn’t just that she’s loving or selfless; it’s that she leads by example. She doesn’t preach values, she lives them. She’s got a sharp sense of humor, she doesn’t tolerate nonsense, and she pushes the people she loves to be better without ever trying to control them. She’s the kind of person who earns your respect naturally, because you see how hard she works, how deeply she cares, and how steady she stays under pressure. She’s not just a great mom, she’s a seriously impressive human being.”

“A face known to the Kokomo community;
A woman deserving of many titles;
A name synonymous with the word:
MOTHER

Kathy, born in Kokomo on November 9, 1950, began her matriarchy in February 1974 with (9) children.
To date, that dynasty has grown to include (16) grandchildren, (5) great-grandchildren, (6) grand dogs, (3) cats, several lizards, and a beta fish named Maddie Mae—all of whom love her for her spunky hair, dangling earrings, but most of all her words of encouragement, her warm smile, and loving hugs.

Through many trials and tribulations—from colicky babies and rebellious teenagers to major health issues later—Mom’s faith in God has remained strong and kept her grounded. “With God, all things are possible,” she says.

Although doctor appointments, physical therapy, and numerous medications are a large part of Mom’s daily schedule, she finds simple joys like playing online solitaire, eating at Missy’s, and watching Reacher are important too. She loves baking, gossiping with grandkids on Saturday nights, and waking up late for Church on Sundays. Even wheelchair-bound, she still enjoys waxing her own floors.

She never ceases to amaze us with her optimism and independence, despite her handicap. She is looking forward to skydiving very soon!

As Mom continues to struggle with ongoing medical bouts, she fights. Her body is weak, but her will refuses to surrender. Her mind is strong and her faith even stronger. “Remember, I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” she says—once again passing on words of encouragement through faith, love, and perseverance.

An example to admire, inspire, and follow—MOTHER.”

Thank You, Moms

From every corner of Kokomo, your stories touched our hearts. They reminded us that love is often quiet, unglamorous, and deeply sacrificial—but always powerful. Whether through hugs, phone calls, packed lunches, or texted prayers, moms make magic out of the mundane.

To every mother, grandmother, bonus mom, and maternal figure: thank you for all the ways you show up. You are the heartbeat of our homes and the soul of our community.

And to The Wellness Garden, thank you for helping us honor that spirit of nurturing, wellness, and strength.

Happy Mother’s Day, Kokomo. 🌷

Honoring the Women Who Raised Us

A Meaningful Partnership: The Wellness Garden

The Spotlight They Deserve: Submissions from Kokomo

Thank You, Moms

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