MOTHER’S DAY

from page 27

at herself, which made everyone else feel more comfortable doing the same.

At her service, it was said that she gave much more than she took and left the world better than she found it. That really is the simplest and most accurate way to describe her.

So this Mother’s Day, the best way to honor her is not complicated. Slow down a little. Listen a little more. Be patient. Be kind. Show some grace when it would be easier not to.

We miss her, of course. But more than that, we carry her with us in how we live and how we treat people.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. You’re still showing us the way.

—Mark Hughes, Mutual 2

Remembering Mayme Tesla

My mother, Mayme Tesla, was a talker—like Bev Bender. She would meet people on the plane and write to them for 20 years. Later in life my brother, Dan Tesla, moved her to a one-bedroom apartment on St. Andrews. Then sister, Elaine Tabyanan moved to Mutual 17, and I moved from Florida to Mutual 12. My sister, Georgia Tesla, bought a condo in Hermosa Beach first. Later in life she lost her speech. She now is in heaven talking to the angels.

—Marina Tesla, Mutual 12

My Compassionate, Dedicated Single Mother

Happy Mother’s Day to my dearest mom, Angelica Estrella! She is compassionate, dedicated, and determined. She raised me as a single mom and taught me to work hard, save and live within my means, and have the resolve to reject malarkey. I am extremely proud she attained her nursing degree in her 50s, worked two jobs and put a family member (not I) through nursing school, and bought her place at Leisure World through years of hard-work and sweat. Love you, Mommy!

—Hope Lim, Mutual 10

She Had An Amazing Life

My mother, Maxine Wells, was born on the plains of Yuma Colorado in 1918. She was one of eight sisters and two brothers. She contacted smallpox from her mother when she was born and since a doctor was too expensive and too far away, she was treated at home. Her mother put kerosene oil on the pox, wrapped her in a blanket and put her near the wood burning stove.

Her father built a threeroom house with no running water or electricity. A trip to the outhouse in winter was decided by scraping off the ice on the windows to see how high the snow was. She walked 2 miles to a one-room school that went from grade one through eight with one teacher. One day she got caught in a blizzard and got frost bite on her fingers.

Her father died in 1932 with only her mother and sister to work the farm. Next came the Dust Bowl: crops failed, livestock died and families became migratory. When the depression came, the farm was sold.

She moved to Long Beach in 1936 to live with her sister, met a handsome fireman, Art, and they were married 62 years. They had two children, Scott and Bonny. They loved to entertain and had an open-door policy. Mom and dad travelled the world by trailer, air and freighter. Imagine what she has seen in her lifetime.

She lived in Mutual 14 for 24 years and moved to assisted living two years ago. Happy Mother’s Day to our amazing mother and thank you for always being there for us.

—Bonny Spencer, Mutual 8

Maxine Wells, mother of Bonny Spencer, lived through the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.