Being a mother comes with ups and downs, rewards and hardships. Mothers are both one of the most celebrated, and one of the most taken for granted. Even so, most moms wouldn’t change their title for anything.

 

Brandi Badial follows her mom’s example when it comes to raising her four-year-old son, James.

 

“My mom is always there when I need her so I try to do the same for James,” said Badial. “Any problem I have I can take to her.”

 

She said the best advice her mom ever gave her was to be the best mom you can be and don’t be too hard on yourself, tomorrow is another day.

 

“I love seeing James grow every day, seeing him learn,” said Badial. “He always brings a smile to my face. No matter what he does, I have to laugh because it’s him. It can be hard when he doesn’t understand something, but overall he’s such a good kid. I’m so proud of him.”

 

Wendy Douglas and her mom, Barb Wiegand, have remained close through the years, living near each other and attending her kids’ school events together.

 

“My mom allowed me to express myself with my clothes and hairstyle even if she didn’t like them,” said Douglas. “I try to do that with my daughters.”

 

Douglas said she’s amazed watching what her own kids can accomplish, but there’s hard parts to being a mom, too.

 

“It’s just tough seeing them go through hard things and you can’t do anything about it,” she said. “And when you can see their potential and they can’t.”

 

“Wendy was an easy kid to raise,” said Wiegand. “You don’t appreciate your kids as much until they’re gone.”

 

It took two years for Linda Wente to get over the unexpected loss of her mom.

 

“I loved her so much, she was such a good mom,” she said. “When I was in the service I called her every day after I got off duty.”

 

When she was growing up her mom would give her and her siblings nickels and dimes to buy treats. Wente would save her money until she had enough to buy her mom presents.

 

After her mom passed away, she had a tattoo of a monarch butterfly landing on a red rose put over her heart. 

 

“I always gave my mom red roses,” said Wente, explaining the tattoo’s meaning. “And in my mind after she passed away she became a monarch butterfly.”

 

Betty Payne’s mom taught her how to do without a lot, work hard and be kind.

 

“Once a mom, always a mom forever,” said Payne. “You’re always there for your kids for support.”

 

She’s now enjoying being a grandma and spending time with her grandchildren.

 

“They’re fun, you can really relax and enjoy them,” she said. “You’re often too busy to enjoy your own kids when they’re growing up.”

 

She and her grandkids spend a lot of time together, often on a one-to-one basis.

“I think that’s really important,” said Payne. “It makes them feel special. That’s what I enjoy most.”