MoThERs DaY

They epitomize
unconditional
love. I would
give my life for
them. I always
love them, although
not always like them. I
don't like when they fight,
but I do love when they
hug and make up. I love
how Zachary looks out for
his little brother and tries to
protect him. I love how Blake
looks up to his big brother and
tries to emulate him. I love how they
are compassionate when someone
is sick or feeling down. I love how
they make me feel like a million,
Blake calling me his "beautiful
sweetheart" or Zachary thanking
me for a less-than-perfect dinner. I
love their mix of innocence and
sophistication.
But most of all, I love the way
they love me and I love them!

1 To: Joseph, Lisa and Julie
1 From: Cherna Kowalsky of
1 Southfield

My three grown children are kind,
1 loving, knowledgeable people who
maintain and perpetuate Jewish life.
Joseph, the
oldest, is an
attorney who
cares for his
clients. He
wants to serve
those who can't
afford legal
help. His fees
are low, some-
:times even
nonexistent. He
has gone so far
as to drive
clients to court
because they
had no car. His
i honesty, fair
mindedness and conscience are
unusual in today's world.
Lisa, the mother of five young chil-

dren, not only teaches
school but also runs a lend-
ing service with wedding
gowns and veils for brides
who can't afford to buy them.
Her home is always
open to new peo-
ple in town; one
never knows who
will be sleeping
on her basement
sofa bed. She cooks
for new mothers and ill
people. Her children know
that tzedakah is an important part
of everyday life.
Our youngest, Julie, is not only the
mother of our other two grandchil-
dren Eut also the official social
worker of the family. She wants to
help people. She works with devel-
opmentally delayed children and
their families in a preschool in New
York and is an involved member of
her community.
All three of our children have
grown into adults for whom helping
others is foremost. I don't imagine
that they will ever be monetarily
rich, but they are rich in friendships
and in the love and respect of their
peers.
The love I feel for my children is
no longer
based on how
cute they are or
how well they
do in school, as
when they were
small. My love
is for three
beautiful, kind,
thoughtful men-
schen who
know what is
really important
in life, and who
give their all so
that others will
gain.

Joseph, Julie's huSband, Lisa's hus-
band, Julie (bottom left) and Lisa
and their families.

To: Stacey
From: Judy Levine Winer o
Farmington Hills

Where to begin — that is the prob-
lem.
I have raised my
daughter. Stacey
since she was 2-
1/2 years old.
Today, not only in
my eyes but to all
who know her she is a
beautiful, bright, ambitious
young lady and an inspiration to
everyone.
It has not been easy as a single
parent for 20 years, raising a child.
But it has been rewarding. It has
given me the opportunity to spend
many precious hours, or as some _
would say quality time, with my
daughter. We have laughed, cried,
shopped 'til we dropped, and done
many of the mother-daughter activi-
ties that seem to be falling to
the wayside in today's
world. In six months, my
daughter will graduate
from Michigan State Uni-
versity. Stacey plans to
go on to medical school
and become a doctor. I
know in my heart, and
she knows in hers, that
whatever Stacey sets her
mind to do she can achieve.
My daughter is a survivor.

To: Aaron
From: Ilene Goldberg of
Southfield

We are always so busy between
work and school, Hebrew
school and homework,
cleaning and cooking
and on and on.
You are growing up
so fast, only two years
away from your bar
mitzvah. I can tell you
are reaching that point
between wanting mommy and
wanting to be independent.

You have come so far and are
maturing into a wonderful young
man. I am proud of how you care
about your grandparents with love
and respect, treat your little
cousins with gentle hands
and try to give to those
less fortunate than you.
There may be times when
my temper may be short
and voices may raise —
even parents can have tem-
per tantrums at times!
You are my son, my child, and I
thank God for bringing you - into.rny
life. Know that I will always love
you.

To: Marisa
From: Gail Wiener of Farm-
ington Hills

I can think of 1,000 reasons for
loving my daughter Marisa: Her
zest for life, that sense of humor
and, oy, the kid has a smile
that could have melted the
iceberg that sunk the
boat everyone is talking
about.
My love for my
daughter has nothing to
do with the 1,000
(maybe million) fine
qualities she possesses. I
love her because she is my
child. I was in love with
•
Marisa the second I knew I was
pregnant. I loved her before I knew
she was bright and kind. I loved
her before I knew she was strong
and proud. I would love her if she
did not have the qualities that I do
so admire, the qualities I look for in
a friend, the qualities I see in her
daily.
My love for Marisa
is unconditional. She
is my child — that is
why I love her. She is
Marisa Wiener, a won-
derful young woman with
brains and heart — that is
why I like her.