Yesterday was Mother's Day, and we hope you had some special time with your Mom!

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said: "Youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a mother's secret hope outlives them all."

You cannot fully understand a mother's love until you are one yourself. This is a lesson I knew was coming when I first discovered I was pregnant, but never understood the scope until I held my daughter in my arms for the first time.

Now a mother of three, I know what Edgar Watson Howe meant when he said, "If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylum would be filled with mothers."

My mother assures me that I will miss the insanity when I, like her, have helped them move out on their own and suddenly realize that my greatest calling was also my greatest joy. A bouquet of a dozen dandelions squashed between tiny dimpled fingers; the knowledge that only mom's kiss heals a scraped knee; the pride felt when your son scores his first goal on the soccer pitch. It is all too fleeting!

Some of you shared your touching tributes to Mom:

Nik05 literally owes her life to her mother, who braved the scorn and life-changing circumstances of teen parenthood because she refused to terminate her pregnancy. She didn't stop there: her hard work kept her on track to finish high school on time and make a stable life for her daughter.

Becky's mom is self-sacrificing. She puts her whole heart and energy into her kids, working long hours at her job but always making time for the smallest of needs. Her willingness to take a drive at 3am when Becky needs to talk, or teaching her preschool skills by letting her scribble with chalk on the floor, were just some of the many ways she showed her love and devotion.

For my part, I would tell you my mom is the most gracious and gentle person I know. She strives to see the good in everyone she meets, hurts when I hurt, and gives me sound advice when I'm frustrated. She never holds against me the stupid things I said during my verklempt teenaged years, and I know she'll be there to hold my hand when my kids do the same to me.

We are not all so lucky to have caring, selfless mothers as these. If you have a beloved grandmother, aunt, or neighbor who has filled that void in your life, make sure you tell her so.