We asked for memories of moms to share in celebration of Mother’s Day this weekend. And we got a couple of lovely responses. Here they are.

Determined mother, miracle baby
A couple of months after my mom found out she was pregnant with me, she was told that I would be born with Down syndrome, and that there was still time to terminate the pregnancy. But she decided she was going to carry me to full term.

Fast-forward to August 6, 1996, when around 3 a.m. she woke up to excruciating pain in her lower stomach. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was told that one of her ovaries had a cyst that was growing rapidly, and that if they didn’t remove it soon, I was going to suffocate and would not make it.

They operated, and when they removed me, I wailed once and then fell silent. My heart had stopped. They were able to start my heart back up, though, and once they started evaluating me, they realized I didn’t have Down syndrome. I was a miracle baby.

Not until recently did I realize how lucky I am to have a mother like the one I was blessed with. She’s passed down so many amazing traits, such as humility, perseverance, and integrity, that have shaped me into the woman I am today, and I could never thank her enough. —Jazmine Gonzalez, electronic banking specialist

Jazmine, age 10, is pictured with her mom, Maria.

Delicious, loving memories
My mother Carolyn was a remarkable women. She taught me so much love. I can remember family vacations — especially the one to Italy, where 30+ family members went — packing lunches to take with, making cookies and cakes, and her always letting me lick the spoon (yum).

She was a home economics teacher and one heck of a cook. She also published her own cookbook, which we were all a part of — such an incredible keepsake for myself and my children. I always remember going to our family’s restaurant, which still exists today (it’s 97 years old) to help my mom and grandma make pizzas and stuff rigatoni, and to watch her favorite game shows. There are numerous memories in my heart. I loved my mother dearly and miss her so much. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! —Maribeth Osmundsen, loan funding rep team leader