With Mother’s Day approaching, Hallmark embarked on a social experiment asking people to talk about their moms on camera and describe their feelings beyond the typical expressions of “I love you” and “thank you.” They found that by removing those go-to phrases, the emotion behind the love for their mothers was revealed and they were better prepared to put their heart to paper on Mother’s Day.
What they didn’t know was that their moms were watching from another room. The videos capture the heartwarming reactions the moms had to their children’s words.
Alex shares how his Mom’s unconditional love and acceptance made all the difference in this life. Watch what happens when he goes beyond “I love you” and decides to #PutYourHeartToPaper.
Me with Carlye Hughes (L) and mother Jackie Hughes (R) I’ve called Jackie “mother” for over 30 years. I’m the lucky one.
Happy Mother’s Day wishes to all those fabulous, wonderful mothers who teach and nurture us all.
When I was young, people felt sad for me because my mother passed away at a young age. But the universe had another plan for me. Maybe better…? Because so many women went sent my way to teach, support and love on me to bring me to here. I think wisdom greater than mine knew it would all be more than ok.
I’m sharing pics of two of those women here – Jackie Hughes (above) and Donna McKechnie (below). Both gave me much in terms of support and the right wisdom at the right time. I can never thank them enough.
Mothers give a lot of themselves. And give up a lot. There is no doubt.
So thank you to all the mothers out there – the women who make up more of us than we’ll ever understand.
Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie and me Donna would refer to me as “the son she never had” – I love her friendship
My mother, Joyce Ann Slovacek, back in 1958. Yeah, you can see it, right…?
My mother in the late 1950s. She passed away when I was 6 years old.
I wrote this last year for the first Mother’s Day here on The Randy Report. It still sums up what I feel about the happy day, so I thought I’d repost for those of you who hadn’t found TRR yet…
Just wanted to say I’m thinking of you on your day. Even though it’s been 42 years since we saw each other, you’re on my mind every Mother’s Day.
Growing up without you I had so many people say to me “it must have been rough not having a mom” – but they didn’t know you had a plan for me the whole time.
I’m always thankful you sent so many fantastic women to be a part of my life along the way. We all definitely need great women around us and I’ve been so blessed to have them in my life the whole way; whether it was our neighbor across the street Beverly Hardin, my god mother Lee Sullivan, “big Diane” Roberts and “Ma Bell” John Bell’s mom in high school or Carlye’s mom Jackie, I always felt surrounded by that ‘mom energy.’ I never felt like a motherless child.
I always knew you were there every step. The day I discovered I had a gift for moving and dancing, I knew where it came from, and I never took credit for that. Your gift opened more doors than imaginable. I lived the dream because of you.
Speaking of ‘the dream’, thank you for Donna McKechnie who calls me “the son she never had.” I never dreamed I would work with my inspiration; and it’s always a high to work, talk, and just spend time with her. Sometimes when she laughs, I see you and I know you’re here.
And while she wasn’t a mother figure to me, more than any other woman in my life, thank you for sending Carlye to me. While my early childhood was kind of splintered, practically my whole life has been grounded in knowing I have family wherever Carlye is. To quote a famous country song: “she’s half the man I am.”
All these things assured me that I belonged. Somewhere. Wherever I was.
Although time and space may separate us, that’s what I’ve learned about family – there may be distance, but not disconnect.
By the way, that other gift that connects me to you – the cancer journey – thanks for that. I thought of you the whole way. It was a rough ride for both of us, and even though it may look like I came out of it a little better than you in the end, I hope I got the message. Even from the age of six, I remember your courage. And I tried to emulate that every day along the way. Cancer is not just something I see on TV anymore. Having lived it through you and now personally myself, I stop and talk to every child, every woman, every man that’s taking that journey. Even if all I have to offer is just a smile and a touch on their shoulder, I let them know we go on. And at the end of all of it we can come out a bit improved, if we pay attention. Thanks for that.
I know where you are today the weather is amazing. I know you and Dad will go dancing on a cloud tonight. That’s what you two do.
Tell him I love and miss him. As you know, he did a great job on his own with Gary and me for a long, long time. I smile when I think about you two being together again.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
I love you.
p.s. last one – thanks for the blond hair. Michael likes it. Who knows if I’d be married for 17 years without it? One more gift. xoxo
Me and Jackie Hughes – Carlye’s mom – the woman I have called Mother for over 30 years.
“This Mother’s Day, I don’t want another scarf. I don’t want any flowers. My dear son can’t give me the gift I want now — he’s done all he can do. Who would have thought that the best gift this mother could ever receive would come from the New York Legislature?”
“It’s time to pass marriage equality legislation. I’ve got a wedding to plan.”
My mother in the late 1950s. She passed away when I was 6 years old.
Dear Mom,
Just wanted to say I’m thinking of you on your day. Even though it’s been 41 years since we saw each other, you’re on my mind every Mother’s Day.
Growing up without you I had so many people say to me “it must have been rough not having a mom” – but they didn’t know you had a plan for me the whole time.
I’m always thankful you sent so many fantastic women to be a part of my life along the way. We all definitely need great women around us and I’ve been so blessed to have them in my life the whole way; whether it was our neighbor across the street Beverly Hardin, my god mother Lee Sullivan, “big Diane” Roberts and “Ma Bell” John Bell’s mom in high school or Carlye’s mom Jackie, I always felt surrounded by that ‘mom energy.’ I never felt like a motherless child.
I always knew you were there every step. The day I discovered I had a gift for moving and dancing, I knew where it came from, and I never took credit for that. Your gift opened more doors than imaginable. I lived the dream because of you.
Speaking of ‘the dream’, thank you for Donna McKechnie who calls me “the son she never had.” I never dreamed I would work with my inspiration; and it’s always a high to work, talk, and just spend time with her. Sometimes when she laughs, I see you and I know you’re here.
And while she wasn’t a mother figure to me, more than any other woman in my life, thank you for sending Carlye to me. While my early childhood was kind of splintered, practically my whole life has been grounded in knowing I have family wherever Carlye is. To quote a famous country song: “she’s half the man I am.”
All these things assured me that I belonged. Somewhere. Wherever I was.
Although time and space may separate us, that’s what I’ve learned about family – there may be distance, but not disconnect.
By the way, that other gift that connects me to you – the cancer journey – thanks for that. I thought of you the whole way. It was a rough ride for both of us, and even though it may look like I came out of it a little better than you in the end, I hope I got the message. Even from the age of six, I remember your courage. And I tried to emulate that every day along the way. Cancer is not just something I see on TV anymore. Having lived it through you and now personally myself, I stop and talk to every child, every woman, every man that’s taking that journey. Even if all I have to offer is just a smile and a touch on their shoulder, I let them know we go on. And at the end of all of it we can come out a bit improved, if we pay attention. Thanks for that.
I know where you are today the weather is amazing. I know you and Dad will go dancing on a cloud tonight. That’s what you two do.
Tell him I love and miss him. As you know, he did a great job on his own with Gary and me for a long, long time. I smile when I think about you two being together again.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.
I love you.
p.s. last one – thanks for the blond hair. Michael likes it. Who knows if I’d be married for 17 years without it? One more gift. xoxo
Me and Jackie Hughes – Carlye’s mom – the woman I have called Mother for over 30 years.
