The sweetest Mother's Days, Act2 readers remember

We asked Act2 readers to tell us about the best Mother's Day gift they've ever received. Their stories are about special moments with grown children, gifts bought and made by the kids when they were young, births and a royal flush dealt at a family poker game.

Presidential treatment
 Last year was one of the nicest Mother's Days I can remember. My daughter, MeLinda Hodgson, a corporate attorney who lives in the D.C. area, flew me to Washington. I picked up a rental car at the airport and drove to her home, then we went for lunch at the National Harbor [a 300-acre development with entertainment, restaurants, shopping and residences], which recently opened in D.C.

Saturday evening we went to see The Manhattans, a singing group from the '60s at Blues Alley in Georgetown.

On Mother's Day, we went to B. Smith's restaurant at Union Station for brunch. That evening, we saw a play, which was awesome. I was overwhelmed and cried at one point.

My husband and I usually spend Mother's Day with our daughter and go for brunch. This time, it was just me and MeLinda. It was exceptional and unforgettable. -- Mildred Hodgson, Amityville

 How her garden grows
I think back to the best Mother's Day, not so long ago, although it must have been a while because my baby boy is about to graduate from high school.

The best gift was the "surprise" plants from my children, the ones they bought in school. Big and small or broken from the bus ride home and half-dead by Mother's Day.

My children are grown now. They still "surprise" me every Mother's Day. Now, I get veggie plants. I once suggested, "Maybe next year I'll start a garden."

So now, we plant together, garden together and reap the harvest together. Every night, we pick tomatoes or cucumbers and share my Mother's Day gift.  -- Wendy Henn, Bethpage

The gift had red hair
The greatest Mother's Day gift was born to me on May 10, 1959. My mother-in-law, who was a redhead, had passed away on a previous Mother's Day, and my father-in-law said, "God took away one redhead and gave me another." Yes, my Mother's Day gift was a beautiful red-haired baby girl. My husband said I had a gift for life. My daughter continues to be a special gift, as do my other two children. I am blessed.  -- Gloria Zweier, Valley Stream

 A movie and the beach
Some years ago, my son, Alan, visited me on Mother's Day. He brought me pastries and beautiful flowers. We went to see "Pretty Woman" (my choice), and he was kind enough to say he enjoyed it also. Knowing how I love walking on the beach, we spent the rest of the day at Jones Beach.

The best Mother's Day I ever had was sharing the day with my son. -- Doris Elsner, Port Jefferson Station

Clean windows
On Mother's Day several years ago, much to my surprise, I didn't get the usual hanging basket of flowers.

I got Bill, the window washer. Call him up, make a date. He comes in, gets to work and in one hour, clean windows. The best Mother's Day gift. -- Mary DePascale, East Meadow

 Wait till the film's over!
May 14, 1972, was a very special Mother's Day. My husband, Don, and I had a lovely luncheon with our children, Andrea and Richie. I was one week overdue with our third child.

In the evening, I didn't feel well. I started watching one of my favorite old films, "North by Northwest," with my contractions coming about five minutes apart. I called my obstetrician, and he told me to go immediately to the hospital. But I told him I had to see the end of the movie first!

Luckily, I had plenty of time. Our beautiful daughter, Stacey Ellen, was delivered at 11:30 a.m. the next day. She has become one of my best friends and has two sons of her own. She was the greatest Mother's Day gift!  -- Barbara Goldberg, Merrick

 Mom's winning hand
The family that plays together stays together when they gather for a poker game on holidays. For my mother, Helen Fischetti, Mother's Day was one of those holidays.

We were playing a five-card draw poker game. Mom usually played without a hint of her hand, but this time she played with a sly smile.

We didn't realize how good her hand was until she

revealed it - a royal flush! She drew the highest hand dealt in poker - in lovely red hearts.

Mom's royal flush was framed for display, and she would say, "That was the best Mother's Day present I ever was dealt."

Perhaps she deserves a more dignified tribute; however, in our own way, poker came to be our last laugh. At Mother's memorial service, the priest mentioned in his eulogy that she awaits us in Heaven, asking to "Deal her in." -- Susan Marie Davniero, Lindenhurst

Picture perfect
When my children were very young, they would draw pictures or self-portraits, make hand prints in plaster and their own Mother's Day cards. Personal gifts included bubble gum or hankies purchased with their own money. My husband would cook breakfast for the family, which included nine children, Mom and Dad. At church, everyone wore or carried carnations - pink if your mother was alive, white if she was deceased. Later, we would go to the park for a fun day. Happy Mother's Day to all!  -- Dorothy Primm, Elmont