Story and Photos By Ginny Raue Irene Ferris Mother of an infant “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” - Rajneesh Sophie was born to Irene and Mike Ferris on Nov. 20, 2008. She was the blessing they had been waiting for. After going through three prior fertility procedures, the fourth try was successful and Ferris was pregnant. “Oh, God, we were elated,” she said. Ferris, a life-long West Milford resident, sailed easily through her pregnancy and soon the day arrived that would change them from a couple into a family. Sophie was born by Caesarean section and Ferris was able to witness the birth of her baby using mirrors. “I watched the whole thing and it was amazing. I was just flabbergasted Holy cow we had a baby girl.” While Sophie was a seven-pound, 15 ounce healthy baby she was very jaundiced. Within two weeks the jaundice disappeared, much to their relief. Ferris said that they are an easy-going couple and they’ve found that their lives have not been turned upside down by their bundle of joy. Rather, Sophie has been incorporated into their lifestyle and everything has settled down nicely. Ferris looks forward to the time when they can take their daughter fishing and hiking. But for now, she just anxiously waits for her baby to awake in the morning, happy to start a new day with her. What one message would Ferris leave for Sophie? “Just be happy and healthy. You don’t know what tomorrow or next year will bring. Stay positive, have a good outlook,” Ferris said. Happy first Mother’s Day, Irene. Bonnie McGuire Mother of two preschoolers “Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My mother.” - Ann Taylor There are not too many five-year-olds who are described as a ladies man, but that’s the term Bonnie McGuire uses for her son, Aidan. Carson, her two-year-old, is more the strong, silent type. McGuire, a 1988 graduate of West Milford High School, and John, her husband of eight years, reside in the Pinecliff Lake area with their two lively little boys. McGuire said that Aidan is a talker. He’s compassionate, inquisitive, and charismatic, much like his father. Carson is quiet, energetic, strong-willed, and he tends to strut his stuff, causing quite a few chuckles. McGuire works two days a week and her days are busy mothering the two preschoolers. The responsibilities of motherhood took her somewhat by surprise. “It’s amazing and complicated. It’s much harder and a lot more challenging than I thought it would be.” McGuire said her greatest joy is observing her boys with their father. “When Dad walks through the door there is a connection I’ve never seen before. I feel so blessed that I was chosen by a man who is such a good dad.” Her message to her sons would be for them to be strong, confident, happy men, to follow their dreams and stand by their beliefs. Lois Carmichael Mother of teenagers “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” - Abraham Lincoln Awosting resident, Lois Carmichael, the mother of three teenage boys, has some sage advice for parents. “Do all your hard work when they are little. Their character building happens when they are young,” she said. Carmichael, who admits that she uses an industrial-size kitchen calendar to keep track of everyone, said that while a mother may fear approaching teenage years there’s much to enjoy. Carmichael and her husband of 24 years, Scott, are the parents of Dane, Jordan and Ian. Dane, age 19, a William Paterson University student, is a musician. Jordan, age 16, a West Milford High School sophomore, is mainly into soccer and track, while Ian, age 14, attends Ringwood Christian School and is involved in soccer and basketball. All of Carmichael’s sons are involved in the youth group at the Living Word Church in Upper Greenwood Lake where Carmichael is the youth director. “They are very different from each another. Their personalities differ and the way they express themselves, but they are all very passionate about their pursuits,” Carmichael said. Saying that her sons are definitely well grounded, Carmichael still has had the same worry as all parents of teenagers the new driver. “For a long time your children are so connected and it’s different when they start to do things on their own. You get the sense of still giving them advice but they are now putting it into action, living it out,” Carmichael said. Carmichael’s message for her boys: “I would encourage them to love God and to live faithfully and honestly and to pursue what makes them happy.” Nancy Tamayne Mother of the bride “A mother’s happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.” - Honore de Balzac In approximately two months’ time West Milford residents Nancy and Tom Tamayne will celebrate the wedding day of their only daughter, Jennifer, age 27. “Along with being so happy, I have to say it’s surreal. This is it. Now she’s really starting her own life apart from us. It’s sentimental,” Tamayne said. Jennifer broke the news to her mother, who also has a 25-year-old son, Daniel, while they were getting pedicures last Mother’s Day. She knew that Jennifer and her fiancé, Tice Hettema, were serious and the news brought great joy. “We’re very happy for them, happy that they found each other and are planning a wonderful future. It’s comforting,” Tamayne said. And then comes the wedding planning. Tamayne, who laughingly describes herself as more of a back yard hamburger and hot dog kind of girl, was surprised at how many decisions had to be made regarding the festivities. Tamayne ordered her own special dress on-line last fall. Shopping for Jennifer’s gown, however, brought on a tearful, more emotional reaction. “To see her walk out in a gown - she looked so beautiful,” Tamayne said. The wedding will take place in July at St. Joseph Church, with the reception at Perona Farms in Andover. Her advice to her daughter, as she embarks on married life, would be to remember to compromise, think of the other person, and keep your sense of humor. Happy tears have been shed, and there will be more on the big day. That’s okay; it’s just what mothers do. Dalice Card Grandmother “Grown don’t mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What’s that suppose to mean? In my heart it don’t mean a thing.” - Toni Morrison, “Beloved” West Milford resident Dalice Card is the mother of two and a brand new, first-time grandmother. Alyssa Lynne Pengitore was born on St. Patrick’s Day, to Card’s daughter, Heather, and son-in-law, Scott. Card, age 46, learned of her impending grandchild in a rather unusual way. She was celebrating her own birthday and tucked inside a card from her daughter was a pregnancy test. The result: “pregnant.” “I was ecstatic. It was the best birthday present I ever got in my life,” she said. Alyssa entered the world at 9 p.m., March 17 at seven pounds, 15 ounces. Card was with her daughter the entire time. “I just couldn’t believe what was going on. It was a miracle. Wow! My baby just had a baby,” she said. She got to hold her granddaughter when she was about 20 minutes old and seeing her daughter with her own child brought on a flood of emotion. “It was beautiful. I just cried and cried,” Card said. Grandma can’t help but think of when little Alyssa grows up. “When she gets bigger I want to take her down to the shore, I want to take her camping. We can hang out and watch movies. I just want to be a big part of her life,” Card said. While Alyssa is blessed with a hands-on grandmother, she will also benefit from the fact that she has four grandparents in total, six great-grandparents and a slew of aunts and uncles. Such a lot of love for such a little girl.