10 Daughters Tell PEOPLE How They're Celebrating Their Amazing Single Moms this Mother's Day

Photo: Angela Poccia

01of 10Kelly McCall; Delmar, New YorkKelly McCallMom: Kimberly Muncil"It’s hard to put into words the love and appreciation that I have for my mom. At only 35 years old, she had lost her husband to cancer and was faced with the challenge of raising two young children alone, on a teacher’s salary. Despite the circumstances, my mom rose above her struggles. She found strength in her faith and her love for my sister and me. When I think back on that time in my childhood, it is my mother’s love that I remember. There may not have been two parents in our house, but there was always an abundance of love.“My mom deserves to be honored every day and especially on Mother’s Day. It is because of her that I have a happy, beautiful life. Every year, the only thing mom wants to do on Mother’s Day is spend quality time with my sister and me, whether it’s taking a walk or having dinner on the porch together. My mom knows how fragile life is and no tangible gift will ever be worth as much [as] time she gets to spend with her daughters. Her love is undeniable, and I am blessed to know it.”

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Kelly McCall; Delmar, New York

Kelly McCall

Mom: Kimberly Muncil

“It’s hard to put into words the love and appreciation that I have for my mom. At only 35 years old, she had lost her husband to cancer and was faced with the challenge of raising two young children alone, on a teacher’s salary. Despite the circumstances, my mom rose above her struggles. She found strength in her faith and her love for my sister and me. When I think back on that time in my childhood, it is my mother’s love that I remember. There may not have been two parents in our house, but there was always an abundance of love.

“My mom deserves to be honored every day and especially on Mother’s Day. It is because of her that I have a happy, beautiful life. Every year, the only thing mom wants to do on Mother’s Day is spend quality time with my sister and me, whether it’s taking a walk or having dinner on the porch together. My mom knows how fragile life is and no tangible gift will ever be worth as much [as] time she gets to spend with her daughters. Her love is undeniable, and I am blessed to know it.”

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Lauren Munroe; Los Angeles, California

Lauren Munroe

Mom: Melanie Stroman

“I love you Mom, Happy Mother’s Day!”

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Jenna Henson Preston; Malvern, Arkansas

Kara Holloman Wildlight Creative

Mom: Missy Henson

“I have so many memories of us playing catch in our front yard, shooting hoops together, and going to the creek behind our house. She is the type of mom who would pack a picnic and make every single day feel like an adventure. Even though she was a single mom and still is, I never noticed or thought about it because not for a single moment did I ever think anything was ‘missing.’ Now that I am a mother and a wife, I think EVERY DAY about just how easy she made motherhood seem. She is my true hero and there is no other woman like her.”

04of 10Angela Poccia; New York, New YorkAngela PocciaMom: Linda Enright"My mom has been the rock in my life. She has taught me what it means to be strong and independent. As a working single mom of three, she had continued to strive for success, which has inspired me throughout my entire life. For Mother’s Day this year, I’m planning to go home to New Jersey to surprise her with a cake and flowers. Then, my sisters and I will take her out to brunch together.“I’m so grateful for all she has done for me and my two sisters and I’m in awe of the accomplishments she’s made within the past few years, including completing her PhD in Pharmacy and pursuing an MBA. My mom always reaches for the stars and shows us that anything is possible, no matter the circumstances. Go Mom Go!”

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Angela Poccia; New York, New York

Angela Poccia

Mom: Linda Enright

“My mom has been the rock in my life. She has taught me what it means to be strong and independent. As a working single mom of three, she had continued to strive for success, which has inspired me throughout my entire life. For Mother’s Day this year, I’m planning to go home to New Jersey to surprise her with a cake and flowers. Then, my sisters and I will take her out to brunch together.

“I’m so grateful for all she has done for me and my two sisters and I’m in awe of the accomplishments she’s made within the past few years, including completing her PhD in Pharmacy and pursuing an MBA. My mom always reaches for the stars and shows us that anything is possible, no matter the circumstances. Go Mom Go!”

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Krystal Mak; San Francisco, California

Krystal Mak

Mom: Olivia Yen

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Bianca Batten; New York, New York

Bianca Batten

Mom: Mary Batten

“I am unfortunately 5,000 miles away from my mom, who lives in Hawaii, so I will send her a handwritten card because she has a huge stack of every card I’ve ever given her. I’ll probably talk on the phone with her for at least an hour after her morning swim and my older brother, who also lives in Hawaii, will cover the flowers and big hug from the two of us.”

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Piera Pizzo; Los Angeles, California

Piera Pizzo

Mom: Silvana Palazzolo

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Arianna Zakrzewski; East Providence, Rhode Island

Arianna Zakrzewski

Mom: Linda Zakrzewski

“My mom has been my biggest source of strength and support my entire life, especially going into adulthood. I wouldn’t be the strong, intelligent, capable woman I am today if I didn’t have such a strong, intelligent, capable woman to call Mom! Seeing everything she can do, all on her own, as I grew up was really empowering and instilled a sense of confidence in me I’m not sure I would’ve had in a two-parent household. She showed me that girls ARE able to do anything we put our minds to!

09of 10Helen Park; Oradell, New JerseyHelen ParkMom: Hannah Donovan“As a mom of two, I am lucky to have so much support every day. Motherhood has been challenging but a blessing at the same time. During some of my hardest days, I think about how much harder it was for my mom to raise me all on her own. She is beautiful inside and out, and I’m so proud to be her daughter. As I reflect on the life my mom has given me, I want to thank her for all of her sacrifices and celebrate her the way she deserves to be celebrated. This year for Mother’s Day, I’m planning on buying her dinner and giving her a gift from me and her grandkids.”

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Helen Park; Oradell, New Jersey

Helen Park

Mom: Hannah Donovan

“As a mom of two, I am lucky to have so much support every day. Motherhood has been challenging but a blessing at the same time. During some of my hardest days, I think about how much harder it was for my mom to raise me all on her own. She is beautiful inside and out, and I’m so proud to be her daughter. As I reflect on the life my mom has given me, I want to thank her for all of her sacrifices and celebrate her the way she deserves to be celebrated. This year for Mother’s Day, I’m planning on buying her dinner and giving her a gift from me and her grandkids.”

10of 10Barbara Labowitz; New York, New YorkBarbara LabowitzMom: Fatima Ramos“My mom and I have pretty much been on our own. She’s my best friend and we talk anywhere from two to seven times a day, depending on what’s going on. We’re always calling or texting to make sure we’re good since I’ve been living abroad. She’s an amazing woman and I always try to show her how much I appreciate her. For Mother’s Day, we used to go to the spa but this year I’m planning to take her out to lunch and then a jazz show. I wish I had more money to constantly spoil her but I always try to whenever I can.”

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Barbara Labowitz; New York, New York

Barbara Labowitz

Mom: Fatima Ramos

“My mom and I have pretty much been on our own. She’s my best friend and we talk anywhere from two to seven times a day, depending on what’s going on. We’re always calling or texting to make sure we’re good since I’ve been living abroad. She’s an amazing woman and I always try to show her how much I appreciate her. For Mother’s Day, we used to go to the spa but this year I’m planning to take her out to lunch and then a jazz show. I wish I had more money to constantly spoil her but I always try to whenever I can.”

source: people.com