Everything in life shapes us into who we are, especially our mothers. If you accidentally broke something irreplaceable, she smiled, because you were more important. Moments you were your nastiest and knew it, she looked at you with love, then punished you, because you needed it. Times you felt your heart was breaking, you knew the only cure was her hug. Those were the instances when we grew the most and learned which things in life were most important. Find a chance to thank your mother.

JEANIE MENDENHALL, Greenfield, Minn.