Beloved Chicago Mom & Grandma 'Has A Great Big Heart'

CHICAGO, IL— Moms do so much for everyone around them. We try to celebrate them all year long, but Mother's Day is a perfect opportunity to shout it from the rooftops and post it on Patch: Mom rocks!

Here at Patch we've launched an initiative to help recognize the awesome moms and mom figures in communities like yours.

This submission comes from Maria V. who nominated Maria of Chicago.

What makes your Mom extra special?

She raised me like her own, because my mom had me really young ... so she is my mom. My mom has been through a lot. My grandpa, who was my pops/dad to me, passed away from COVID in 2020. That was her life partner of 50 yrs. She is still grieving, but holds on strong for us and her all her grandkids. She went through a house fire that happened in Dec 2022 — two weeks before Christmas ... My grandma to this day still manages to put a smile on her face and crack jokes to keep her spirits up. She stays strong for us. She is the big piece now to the family now that my pops is gone. She keeps the family together alone. She has a great big heart and was always there through our good and bad times. She never closes the door on anyone.

Why do you feel your Mom deserves the spotlight?

She keeps her spirits up through her good and bad times. She has been through a lot from 2020 until last year. And [she's] still facing some struggles but is managing to cope and push through like the strong women she showed us to be.

Happy Mother's Day to Maria, and thank you for all you do!

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Know an amazing mom? Nominate them here.