Celebrating Mom

The world seemed bright and full of life to hundreds of mothers who celebrated with their families in downtown Vancouver on Sunday.

Along the waterfront, in Esther Short Park and at Vancouver Farmers Market, moms said their special day was wonderful, thank you.

At the park

Jeanette Armstrong, 46, of Vancouver watched wistfully as children played near the water feature at Esther Short Park’s Propstra Square.

“It’s been wonderful. We went out for breakfast and we decided to come here and play with the grandkids,” she said, sunshine bathing her.

Asked what makes her happiest about being a mom, Armstrong, 46, said, “I think the best thing is unconditional love … and seeing my daughter do the same with her son.”

Holding her boy, Gavin, 1½, daughter Andrea Reynolds of Molalla, Ore., said she learned from her mother: “Just to love unconditionally and … she’s taught me to share, to care, love. And she’s given me wonderful memories and experiences throughout life.”

Other family members celebrating with Armstrong were her husband, Rolland Walters, 47; son, Donovan Reynolds, 21; his girlfriend, Sarah Mametieff, 20; and their child Haylie, 7 months. Armstrong said her son Joshua Walters, 21, also joined her at brunch.

At the market

Sandy Perrott, 62, of La Center said at 3 p.m. that her day was going perfectly. She and daughter, Sara Perrott, 23, of Salmon Creek had been to the mall earlier and a family dinner was slated for later.

She also was asked to describe the best thing about being a mom. “The happiest moments are when you feel like you’ve touched them in a way that will last for a lifetime. And, being a mom, you have memories that attest to that.”

Daughter Sara said from her mother she’s “learned to not sweat the small stuff and always have a sense of humor, ‘cause that’s how you’re going to get through life. … and dance a lot.”

Sandy said she is blessed with her husband of 33 years, Scott Perrott; son, J.R. Perrott, 31; and; daughters, Christie Perrott, 29, and Lizzie Perrott, 23.

As for the market, Sandy said, “We’ve got our fresh flowers.”

On the mom beat

At the market’s busy GX Family Garden booth, Officer Adam Millard of the Vancouver Police Department took a break from crime and waited to get flowers for his wife, Marilyn. They are the parents of Deanne, 19,and Ben, 13.

Asked to describe his wife as a mom, Millard said, “Awesome. She’s just loyal to her kids and the family and me.”

On the waterfront

Allison Kaufman, 31, of Gresham, Ore., said her family treated her to brunch at Joe’s Crab Shack on the Columbia River and a stroll on the waterfront trail.

Along with boyfriend, Daniel Erickson, and her two daughters, Rhiannon, 8, and Payton, 4, she was asked what she cherished about being a mom.

“‘It’s just the joy of it. I remember being single … and now I couldn’t imagine my life without them.”

Rhiannon said the best thing about mom is “just spending time with her.”

“We made cookies the other day and we’re growing butterflies,” Allison said, of recent activities.

Asked for a happy time, Payton said, “ Taking a shower. Just only mom and me.”

The visiting mom

Barbara McCabe, 82, had bouquets in both hands at the market. “One is for me and one is for his wife,” she said, beaming at her son, musician Michael McCabe, 58, of Vancouver.

“She looks great in those, doesn’t she,’ said Michael about his flower laden mother, visiting from Tempe, Ariz.

“Stargazers are my favorites,” Barbara McCabe said.

She said she’s proud of her three boys and one girl and happy to visit two great-grandchildren for a four-generation get-together.

“I have the most wonderful family,” she said. “They’re all compatible. We never had arguments. Now their families are the same way. Somehow, they came out all right.”

Michael McCabe said his mother taught him to “always have a smile on your face. It’s a wonderful life having a mom like my mom.”