The Times News asked readers to share stories of the lasting gifts that their mothers gave to them — the simple, heartfelt treasures that hold a world of meaning.

We’ve included some of their tributes.

The Times News wishes all mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.

That special card

Abelina Barra, Saylorsburg, remembers her mother, Dale Lynne Barra:

My mom, Dale Lynne Barra, had given me a card during every usual special occasion. Birthdays, holidays, graduation, etc. At the bottom of every card she left a message in her very “unique” handwriting. I wouldn’t say messy, but definitely distinct. I used to make fun of her for how she wrote her r’s.

I kept every single card she gave me from the age of 7 and up. Some of them she put aside for me, but most I kept in a drawer. When she passed away last year, I never imagined how much I’d miss those very thoughtful notes or how much it meant to my sibling’s that their children would be missing out on them too.

So, I’ve taken every card she gave me and included her signature on their cards/gifts to help keep her love alive for her children and grandchildren. Though her love was never in question, I think she would appreciate still being included and remembered in that way.

Baker’s table

Susan Wanamaker, Slatington, remembers her mother, Helen Wanamaker:

In honor of our lovely mother, I am more than grateful for this very unique homemade baker’s table with a slit to enter the ingredients for each baked treat. She gave one to each of her four daughters. Since I baked two times a week, way, way back then, it’s at least 45 or 48 years old or more. It remains on my kitchen counter all these years because I didn’t want to store it in my baking cupboards and out of sight.

I wish the year was mentioned under the table because she always wrote the date of everything she ever gave to us on the bottom. It’s the most precious thing in the world to me.

In loving memory of our mother, Helen Wanamaker, who sadly passed away from late stage dementia in 2019.

Small things with great love

John M. Nonnemacher, Hazleton, remembers his mother, Irene Nonnemacher:

When I was a young boy growing up in Jim Thorpe my mother, Irene Nonnemacher, was a waitress at the former Howard Johnson’s restaurant at the Hickory Run Service Plaza.

One day she brought home a “little surprise” for me — a laminated bookmark with a tassel. Another recipient may have considered it as just another “token trinket” from a turnpike restaurant gift shop.

Although I was only 8 years old I immediately recognized the love my mother poured into its purchase. It was my favorite color (green), had zodiac information corresponding to my birthday, and was purchased with tip money that she had already committed to spend on other household expenditures.

Every time that I have looked at it during the last 60 years I have been reminded how her life emulated the famous saying from Mother Teresa: “Do small things with great love.”

A blessing to others

Sharon Schell, Cherryville, pays tribute to her mother, Alice Remington:

My mother, who is now 92 years old, always took pride in her hair. She grew up in the Depression so she learned to take care of her hair without going to a salon. She wasn’t a beautician but managed to cut, color and perm her own hair. I remember watching her set her hair in rollers before going to bed. Then, in the morning she would magically transform her hair into a beautiful hairdo, at times even resembling Jackie Kennedy. Everyone seemed to love my mom’s hairstyles.

Recently, I found a long ponytail clipping of her hair that she meticulously saved from 1943 when she was only 10. My mother was a saver of mementos but she was also a giver. It seemed fitting now to donate her hair clipping to Wigs for Kids so that her treasured possession could be used for other children in need, especially since her great-grandson is battling cancer.

My mom is and always will be a blessing to me and many others.

A gift from God

Susan Moyer Seltzer, Danielsville, remembers her mother, Mae V. (Schoenberger) Moyer:

I will always cherish the Gideons Pocket New Testament books I picked up from a free table at my college. I took one for myself and gave a copy to my mom. I remember my mother telling me that little New Testament Bible spoke to her heart.

As I hold that well-worn little green Bible in my hands now, I see her handwriting on the cover pages and her words touch my heart and speak to me.

I am transported back to the days when our roles reversed as she became more childlike and pleasantly confused. When my touch and my voice soothed her and calmed her when she was afraid and when she looked for comfort and found it in my eyes.

The words my mom wrote inside her little New Testament bring a sweet memory to me now. She wrote “Mothers are a gift from God” over and over. Thoughts of her mother always comforted my mom when she needed it most.

She also wrote “Moyers are a gift from God.” That still makes me chuckle a little as I think of her childlike innocence in her later years. Mothers ARE a gift from God.

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom in heaven, Mae V. Moyer. Your love is in my heart forever. God bless all the mothers on this day of honor and remembrance.

Memories of steel

Peggy Mack, Slatington, remembers her mother, Ruth Horn:

My mother, Ruth Horn of Slatington, passed away in 1997. The best thing she gave me is the memories we shared together.

I have her bullet ring she got when she worked at Bethlehem Steel during the war.

I also have a sweetheart locket my dad gave her when they were dating. It has her picture in it and says “To My Sweetheart” on the front and on the back it says “Keep Me Always In Your Heart.” It, too, is from the war era.

Stitching memories

June P. Farber, remembers her mother, Anna Polinger:

My mother, Anna Polinger, was a treasure. We went to a fabric store and she purchased a fabric that was made into a dress. I am now 93 years old and I am proud to still wear the dress that she made for me when I was 30 years old. I think of her often and how unselfish she was. She was a terrific mother.

A sweet gift

Becky Steigerwalt, Palmerton, remembers her mother, Betty Steigerwalt:

My mother, Betty Steigerwalt, gave me a cookie jar. It’s a turkey and not particularly attractive. But to my memory, it was always filled with peanut butter cookies, my favorite, every time that I came home from college. I use it as a Thanksgiving decoration because it reminds me to be thankful that my mother was so generous. She hated peanut butter.