Darien Residents say, 'Thanks, Mom!'

She was your first playmate, teacher and example.

She was your most honest critic but your most ardent supporter.

She was the staunchest advocate in your corner whether you were up against the odds in the big world, or just at odds with yourself.

As children, we feel unabashed love for our mothers. Although those feelings may ebb and flow at some point, especially during those teen years, they are again strengthened as we mature.

You already may be acutely aware of the indelible imprint your mom has left on you. Or perhaps you’re still discovering the impact of her legacy.

I found an abundance of well-known Darien folks who credit their mothers with instilling within them a quality for which they are grateful. So many comments I received were prefaced with “It’s hard to make this brief because of everything she means to me.”

Principal Marty Casey wrote about his mother, Susan: “My mother leads by example. She believes in the goodness of all people.” He added that she fostered within him a love of country, of counting his many blessings and helping the less fortunate.

Rosemary Bleuher, mother of Principal Paul Bleuher, has always been full of “eternal optimism and a positive attitude, which has helped me through many times,” he said.

Taking care of others and giving back without need of recognition were common themes among the descriptions.

Ray Jablonski, president of the Darien Park District Board of Commissioners, described his mother, Dorothy, as hard-working and supportive, always finding the time for Ray and his sister even while working full-time and caring for his dad during an extended illness.

“She showed me that as a parent it was very important to take the time to support your family,” Jablonski wrote.

The responses overwhelmingly illustrated portraits of mothers who empowered their children with the ability to set standards for themselves.

“My mother was my role model. She was the first 'women’s libber' that I knew,” wrote Mayor Kathleen Weaver.

She described a warm woman who “volunteered and was active in many organizations, all while raising five children.” Weaver’s mother left behind “a strong legacy of hard work and love for her children.”

Principal Brian Waterman thanked his mom, Carol, for igniting and fueling his passion for reading.

“I am thankful for the fact that she always had very high expectations for my sister and I, both academically and behaviorally,” he said.

Leaving things in better shape than you found them has long since been a Scout motto and one that Fire Chief Michelle Gibson learned from her mother. She also described a mom who always returned kindness.

In an age of “helicopter moms,” where hovering and micro-managing have been fodder for heated discussions, Lisa Grundon, principal of , said that her mom offered trust and support in letting her learn how to make her own decisions. She says it inspired Grundon to try to live up to her mom’s confidence and trust by making good decisions.

Even the very young preschool students at know that their moms are special, and they shared with me some of those reasons when I visited their classroom.

Please note: Many surprises planned for Mother’s Day were divulged in the preschool classroom and I vowed complete confidentiality (regardless of the likelihood that the children might spill the beans themselves at home). No secrets will be revealed here so as not to ruin any of those adorable preschoolers’ best-laid plans.

Ed said that he loves his mom because she plays trains with him and reads train books to him.

And then there’s Adrian, who said his mom makes him feel better when he’s sick by making him soup.

Not be outdone, Lucas’ mom is great because she gives him Oreos—the black and white kind, he said. And she reads bear books.

Two little girls, Samantha and Leah, had plenty of accolades for their moms.

“My mom gives me big hugs when I’m sad,” Samantha said. “And she gave me a Barbie plate too.” Samantha said, proudly, that her mom lets her use the Barbie plate all of the time.

Her friend Leah revealed that her mother is also skilled in the art of hugging.

She said, very sincerely, “She hugs me when I’m hurt. She gives the best hugs … ever. She’s the best mom in the world.”

I received many notes of thanks from people who appreciated the opportunity to share their thoughts about their mothers to which I reply: Au contraire, thank you.

What an honor it has been for me to meet so many extraordinary mothers through the eyes and words of their children, both big and small.