Paradis sisters admire their Mother’s traits

She is always there …
The aroma of homemade baked goods wafted through the air or a breakfast of blueberry muffins to  homemade toast with strawberries awakened sleepy senses. A hug and kiss before the children left was always standing order.
    For the Houlton Paradis sisters, it’s a simple contentment that evokes thoughts of their mother, Velma.
“Mom was always home when we got home from school,” said Janet Warman, the middle daughter of seven children. “It was really comforting.”
Bev Nason, the second daughter, and the baby of the family, Lori Holmes, concurred.
“She did not work outside the home so she was always there for us. I hated it when she went away, which was not very often,” said Bev.
Lori added, “Fortunately, we had a stay-at-home mom who made sure we were taken care of. We were awakened each school morning by a very caring voice telling us it was time to get up … ‘It’s a beautiful day out.’ I wanted to say ‘maybe in your world, you don’t have to go to school.’ And then she would say ‘Come eat breakfast while it’s hot.’ We could tell mom enjoyed making our meals.”
Velma Paradis’ children always come first  – from meals to support and easing their fears.
“There were never any questions asked when you slipped into bed with mom and dad. Be it a stomachache, thunderstorm or bad dream. You were always welcomed. Luckily, there were never more than one of us at a time,” recalled Carla Griffin smiling.
“The best memories of mom is always knowing that she is there when I need her,” said Diana. “My mom is very special to me.”
“Mom is very unselfish,” said Bev. “She is always putting her family first.”
“Many of the things she did, she did not have to do, but she did them any way,” Lori said. “She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. I now realize all the everyday little things she did for me. She never made us feel like we were putting her out to do anything for us. She loved being a mother. Everything she did and still does is a selfless act.”
According to her daughters, Velma embodies many modest traits and hands out some invaluable advice.
“She is a kind, caring and quiet lady,” said Bev. “Mom is a good listener,” added fourth daughter Karen Paradis. “She is loving, caring and thoughtful.”
Lori said, “Mom is kind, soft spoken and so very, very thoughtful.”
But, the Paradis girls also know the aching of their mother’s heart.
“Mom may be a woman of few words,” said Bev. “But, we knew when we disappointed her … just by the look on her face.”
“She taught me to cherish every moment I have with my children, and to not rush it,” said Lori. “I think we all remember thinking that the days don’t go quick enough. Wow, do I ever wish I would have listened to my mother’s advice back then. She would always say, ‘Don’t wish it away, Lori. You wait until you get my age or wait until you have children of your own.’ I finally realized what she was talking about. I enjoy every moment I have with my son Logan, my stepdaughter Jess and my three grandchildren. My mother taught me to cherish this time.”
The older sisters also remember their mother growing a bit more easygoing, as well.
“When we were young, we were the last kids in the neighborhood to get our bikes out in the spring,” Bev remembered. “We had to wait until the snow was gone and the mud dried up. We couldn’t wear our new sneakers either.”
Of course that all changed with the younger siblings.
“She was more lenient with Carla, Alan and Lori,” said Bev, who probably didn’t have much to do with that … hmmm.
“Mom was a great sprinter,” Carla said. “She chased Alan and Lori around the house demanding they keep their feet dressed.”
The younger children also saw the complete circle of life acted within their own home.
“I was fortunate to witness what it meant to be a loving daughter and a caring mother all in one,” said Carla. “My grandmother, my mother’s mother, lived most of her adult life with mom and dad after losing her husband at a young age. Mom was always very respectful to Grammy, giving her free rein in the kitchen. She never made Gram feel like there were too many cooks for our kitchen.”
Velma is an active bowler and walker. She can be found surrounded by her daughters at Houlton High School basketball games or at music programs.
“She loves sports,” Janet said. “Especially basketball, even if it is bitter cold out.”
She loves word puzzles and reading.
“I could never figure out why anyone would waste their time with such tasks,” said Carla. “Now, I find myself doing the same in my spare time.”
“She loves to shop and whenever anyone is going, she hops in,” said Janet, who enjoys her mother’s company.
Velma never is slow to help her children and welcomes them home with not just a smile on her face but embedded in her heart.
“Mom still cooks lunch for anyone who shows up at noontime,” said Bev.
Carla added, “Mom still makes her famous date squares for my husband every year for his annual hunting trip. He looks forward to them every fall.”
“When I started to think about fond memories that I have with my Mom, I realized that my whole life has been a fond memory and that is because I have such a wonderful Mom,” said Lori. “My Mom deserves a Mother’s Day every week to thank her for everything she does for us.”
“Mom doesn’t like the ‘spotlight’ but mom this is your day and a big thanks for everything,” said Bev. “We love you.”
Velma not only raised six daughters, but a son, as well and takes care of her husband, Ken.
“Mom is strong,” said Karen. “She is understanding and she inspires me. She is a mom everyone would want.”�