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Sunday is Mother’s Day and many of us have been thinking about our moms and their influence on our lives during this special time of year.

I have written a lot about my mom over the years, as well as my mother-in-law and others who have been like mothers to me. Sometimes I probably repeat…but I know you will forgive my repetition when stepping back in time.

Mother worked many years as a nurse on third floor at the Bogalusa Medical Center, which was where babies were delivered by Dr. Alan Singleton and Dr. Glen Waldrup. She delighted in being there as a nurse, as this all she ever wanted do.

After she retired, so many of the young women who had been there with her with their first child, would call her to go with them for another delivery. She always went and the third floor always made her welcome.

When I think back, the memories of her are so comforting — to me, my sister and brother and all the grands and great- grandchildren.

As adults, our favorite family place to gather and talk was always around Mama’s kitchen table. If we happened to be sitting elsewhere, sooner or later we would gravitate to that little round wooden table in the kitchen. There at that table, we could talk about just about anything: sad things, happy things, things we worried about and things we just needed to verbalize and get off our minds.

Mama seldom sat down at the table with us unless we were drinking coffee — and there was always coffee available. She was usually busy cooking or doing numerous odd jobs in the kitchen. Mama didn’t “let grass grow under her feet”, so to speak.

We often accused her of wiping her kitchen counters so much, she had virtually erased all the pattern. She had a lot of nervous energy and it was hard for her to sit still. She said she enjoyed having all her children together at once, but she also delighted when we visit one at a time. Even those talks gravitated to the kitchen table. These conversations were always interesting. Sometimes Dad was there too.

The grandchildren knew in that kitchen were goodies to be had for a hug and a smile. She kept special treats for different grandchildren. One who liked chips and dip could always depend on her to have it ready. If it was candy, it was usually in the second drawer of the cabinet. Cookies were also found there.

For the older “kids”, we looked for her fresh baked coconut pound cake and a glass of milk. Often she called us at work to come by on our way home as the warm cake would be coming out of the oven about that time.

Now I mentally look back on all those times and put myself back at her table to remember all the good times and also those not so good. She was always comforting and had intelligent advice, which all of us could trust to follow.

Mom and Dad both left us in 1999 and I am now almost three years older than my mom when she passed away. Oh, the times over the years when we could have used her advice and love.

She always told us she hoped we would always stay close to each other and we remembered. For the past few years, we always get together at least one day a week for lunch. We did it before our brother Bill and his precious Daisy left us, and we continue today. We remember her so often and we know she is smiling.

If you are fortunate enough to still have your mother with you, please tell her of your love, especially on Mother’s Day. She gave life to you and she deserves it.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers, whether they are still at the kitchen table with you or in Heaven, as our mom. It is a very sweet day for all of us!

Retired as Associate News Editor, Bob Ann Breland writes a weekly column for The Daily News. You can email her at bobann70@att.net.