'Extraordinary' Joliet Mom 'Is My Rock,' Daughter Says

JOLIET, 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 Magda Lara who nominated Rufina Paramo of Joliet.

What makes your Mom extra special?

My mom is like any other mom who puts her kids; needs before her own, but to me she is an extraordinary mom. She raised eight children in a new city when she neither drove or spoke English. However, that did not stop her, no way, not my mom. She used to walk us 2.5 miles to take us to the Health Dept. She made sure we were clothed and fed. I remember she was an expert on stretching food so as not only to have enough food for her family, but others as well (neighborhood children and recently arrived immigrants).

Anytime I see a childhood acquaintance or friend, they always ask me about my mom and tell me how they used to enjoyed her homemade tortillas with beans.

She tried to attend all our school conferences, award ceremonies, plays and concerts, since she knew the importance of education and doing well in school. If truth be told though, she would miss some due to a conflict with appointments or another child's activity.

Later in life she continued to help family by watching the grandkids while the moms worked or went to school.

She makes sure that her children and grandchildren know the importance of family and continues to have them over on a weekly basis.

Most importantly she is my rock. She has always been there for me, especially through all my medical conditions (of which there have been many). She is always cheering me on and not letting me "feel sorry." When I was depressed, she literally pulled me up and out of bed, all the while with own illness and pain to deal with at that time ...

If I was at least half the mother my mom was and continues to be, then I was a great mom. 🙂

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO THE GREATEST MOM EVER!

Why do you feel your Mom deserves the spotlight?

She's a fighter and at 80 yrs of age, continues to be the glue that holds this family together. We are not perfect, but we are always there for each other in time of crisis and that is because of what she (and my dad) taught us.

Five years ago and three months after my double transplant, we went to Our Lady of Guadalupe site so that I could give thanks for still being alive. First to God, then to my donor's family and finally to my mom, who gave me the strength and encouragement to continue to fight.

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

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Know an amazing mom? Nominate them here.