WinslowÕs ÔBest MotherÕ Ð Rosaleen Laban<br>Says love is the first ingredient that you need in your bowl

ÒLoveÓ is always the first ingredient, WinslowÕs ÒBest MotherÓ said this past week.

For the past month The Winslow Mail has asked individuals to write a letter explaining why they feel they have the best mother. After receiving numerous letters, one mother was chosen to be The Winslow MailÕs ÒBest Mother.Ó

That special mother is Rosaleen Laban.

Rosaleen, who single-handedly raised her four children, said she would not change the way she raised them.

She spoke about her own mother, who had 12 children to care for. ÒMy mother always told her children when they were younger that she loved them. I can remember baking in the kitchen with my mother and hearing her say, ÔRosaleen, what is the first ingredient that you need in your bowl?Õ Her answer was always Ôlove.Õ When my children became of age to cook, I asked them the same question my mother asked me.Ó

It was a difficult decision to make, choosing just one great mother in Winslow for the ÒBest MotherÓ contest, but after meeting Rosaleen, it is easy to understand why she is the winner. Her soft brown eyes tell a story of a mother who has experienced love, joy and sorrows while nurturing her children: Nathan, Stephanie, Lois and Leonard Jr.

Lois Thompson, 23, of Winslow, is RosaleenÕs youngest daughter. It was Lois who wrote the winning letter that got this recognition for her mother. On Friday, April 30, Lois learned that her letter was the winner and a plan to surprise her mother with the news followed.

On Wednesday, May 5, at around 9:30 a.m., Winslow Mail Advertising Manager Dawn McCauley and other staff members of The Winslow Mail went to RosaleenÕs home with a bouquet of flowers , a plaque that reads ÒFamilies are Forever,Ófrom Flower Shack and a Mary Kay gift certificate and a trip for two days and two nights to her desired destination.

Lois answered the door and her mother, who was sitting in the living room, quickly jumped up out of her chair when she heard the news. A big smile instantly spread across her face as she overcame the shock of being picked as the winner of the contest.

Both mother and daughter and granddaughter, Toni, shared hugs and kisses.

Rosaleen expressed her happiness to her daughter and said she does not think of herself as being Òthe best mom,Ó but rather a mom who did her best to instill good qualities in her childrenÕs lives.

Rosaleen said she enjoyed having the opportunity to watch her children grow throughout the years and now enjoys watching her children raise their children. Her youngest son, Leonard Jr., is currently serving in the U.S. Army and is scheduled to deploy to Iraq any day.

Lois said she really didnÕt think her letter would win. ÒWhen I found out my letter won, I was shocked, and happy for my mother,Ó she said.

Rosaleen said she plans to spend MotherÕs Day with her own mother.