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Today is Mother’s Day, yet another time to reflect on moms or motherly figures, express gratitude and show love.

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While making their tokens of affection Tuesday at Honaunau Elementary School, some first-graders from Arielle Taft’s class shared what makes their mother special and why this holiday is important.

Six-year-old Bennet Gomes likened his mom, Rose, to a puppy.

“She has big eyes, is cute and very cuddly,” he explained.

What Gomes appreciates most about his mom is how she has watched after him “all these years,” gives him aloha everyday, cooks food and pays the bills so they have water and electricity, of which the latter is “very important” for their family Xbox sessions. His favorite thing to do with his parents is play Zuma with them. Though, he admitted while his mom is “pretty good,” his dad is the best because he’s made it to the third level.

Asked what his mother does for a living, Gomes responded, “She checks people’s accounts, but it’s OK because she works at a bank.”

While making a Mother’s Day card, Gomes was adamant in drawing angels with bows and arrows, flying hearts and a rainbow — all components he thinks the holiday wouldn’t be complete without.

“Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day are the same. It’s love,” he said.

Laurie Trivett thinks her mom is a “very hard worker.” The 7-year-old knows this because her mom works on a coffee farm, which is “a lot work and very exhausting.” She also described her mom as kind, pretty, wise, strong and responsible.

Her favorite mother-daughter bonding activity is shopping, and it’s not just because of her love of fashion or the possibility of getting something.

“When we shop together, I get to know my mom better,” Trivett said. “I find out what she likes and doesn’t like. We talk, and it’s fun.”

Trivett thinks celebrating Mother’s Day is important because “moms do a lot” and “we should thank them.”

We should show our gratitude “every day,” Trivett said.

“You can take time by drawing simple pictures for them of their favorite things or by cleaning your room without being asked,” she said. “You can say, ‘Hey mom. Just relax. I will wash the dishes. You sit there on the couch, don’t move, put that pillow on your head and just rest.’ Moms should not always feel like they are running on the track.”

Seven-year-old Mahana Keliikuli said she admires her mom, Jenny, because she takes care of her by getting her to school on time, helping with her homework, “including math,” and providing her food and a house. She boasted her mom does all of this while working two jobs, which are at Sports Authority and Bongo Ben’s Island Cafe.

“She’s really great, very pretty and very supportive. Oh, and I really love her a lot,” she added.

For Mother’s Day, Keliikuli plans on throwing her mom and her aunt a black and white-themed party with help from her dad, siblings, uncle and cousins. The reason, she said, was “to show thanks.” She thinks the holiday is for “people who really love their moms and want to show how thankful they are for them.”

Three words Dacoven Lacy used to best describe his mom, Jennifer, are funny, cool and wise. The 7-year-old mentioned his mom’s love of jokes and how he couldn’t stop laughing when she burped his name recently. While he thinks a sense of humor is important, that’s not the quality he appreciates most about his mom.

It’s her ability to give good advice.

Lacy said she told him to not “be rude and don’t be a bully,” both of which he adheres to, and it’s paid off.

“I’m nice to everyone, and because I’m nice, I have lots of friends,” he said. “All the boys in my class are now my friends and that’s great.”

When it comes to Mother’s Day, Lacy thinks people should approach the holiday as a chance to give recognition and “show people how to treat others nice.” In his card, Lacy shared his appreciation by drawing a mother-son portrait and writing a thank you note.

He wrote, “Thank you for helping me when I am hert. Thank you for teaching me how to be very very nice. Thank you for makeing srue I do not get kidnapt. Thank you for puting me in this lovey school. Thank you for buying a house so we do not haft to be homelis.”

Seven-year-old Jada Torres thinks her mom, Mele, is wonderful because she helps with homework, likes to read books and color, is giver of things and is always up for playing together in the park.

Besides a homemade card, Torres plans to give her mom “lots of hugs and kisses” for Mother’s Day. Her recommendation for those struggling to find the perfect gift was “love.” She also said that’s one reason why Mother’s Day exists. The other reason, she added, is “you might forget who your mother is if we didn’t have it.”

Julia Ward Howe, a pacifist and writer of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” was the first to suggest Mother’s Day in the U.S. in 1872, when she envisioned a day when mothers could rally for peace. However, the main driving force behind Mother’s Day was Anna Jarvis, although she neither married nor had children.

Jarvis was inspired by her mother, who had the desire someday all mothers would be recognized and celebrated. She organized observances in Grafton, Va., and Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis asked Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She finally succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day and President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill designating it a national holiday, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Email Carolyn Lucas-Zenk at clucas-zenk@westhawaiitoday.com.