By Ryan Lytle From Mashable

In 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson officially recognized Mother’s Day as a national holiday. One hundred years later, the holiday has become a global celebration to honor the mothers who made sacrifices to raise generations of children and support them through adulthood.

While flowers or chocolates are a perfectly suitable way to say thanks, it’s the special words you write in a card or the things you say to her that mean the most.

In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked the Mashable community around the world to share memories of when they were most inspired by their moms. The stories have been amazing, and we’ve shared a selection of the submissions below.

But the conversation doesn’t end here. If you haven’t shared your story yet, tweet us your most inspiring memory of your mother using the hashtag #InspiredByMom.

IMAGE: FLICKR, SUNDARAM RAMASWAMY
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Ruswinar Nawangsari and her mother Rusmijati Nawangsari
“I love how my mother held my hand when I was a little. I love how she took care of me. Always her, never a baby sitter. She also always took good care of her appearance. Her beauty goes wherever she goes.” — Ruswinar Nawangsari, Indonesia

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF WIWIN NAWANGSARI

Olivia Uphoff and her mother Linda Uphoff
“My incredible mom beat cancer at the tender age of two; and despite being told by countless doctors she could surely never be pregnant, here I am, 23 and healthy!

Pregnancy for her body wasn’t easy, but my amazing mother never complained. She has always taken life with so much joy and faith. Despite unfathomable health issues, my mother is so much more today: She is healthy, strong, independent, beautiful, loyal, hilarious, an awesome cook, a dog lover, a wonderful wife and the person I most strive to emulate.

She is the embodiment of resilience, and as I start to build my own life, I am incredibly confident knowing she is, and always will be, part of me.” — Olivia Uphoff, San Diego

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF OLIVIA UPHOFF

Jim Bond and his mother Kathleen Bond
“My mom’s passion and commitment to helping others has always inspired me and kept the rest of our family grounded in what’s really important in life.

She spearheaded the fundraising to break ground on the first no-cost housing option for cancer patients and their caregivers in Ohio, which has given hope to thousands over the past 18 years.

As someone who has grown to have kids of his own, I’m completely humbled by the outpouring of love and strength with which she takes on any challenge. She truly is the foundation of our family and I often tell my kids that their grandma is the real ‘superhero’ in every sense of the word.” — Jim Bond, Chicago

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF JIM BOND

Kourtney Leibman and her mother Kristie Smith
“When my mom was first diagnosed with cancer [in 2007], she was in complete shock. She did everything her doctors told her to do: chemotherapy, double mastectomy and radiation, and eventually went into remission. We were so grateful, and thought the nightmare was over.

In November 2009, exactly two years after her initial diagnosis, it was discovered that the cancer was back and had metastasized throughout her lymph nodes, bones, lungs and later on to her liver and a spot in her brain.

It seemed like an impossible fight, but she fought harder than I even knew was possible. She did countless hours of research on cancer and how it works at a cellular level. She changed her diet dramatically, going from a ‘meat and potatoes’ Midwestern diet full of processed foods and sugar to a predominately vegan and organic diet. She took up yoga and exercised with a personal trainer. She became fit and physically strong for the first time in her adult life.

It was around this time that I began to realize that my mom was so much more than ‘just’ my mom — she was an extraordinarily strong, smart, tenacious person who wanted nothing more than to be with her family and friends as long as she could.

My mom did everything she could medically, holistically, mentally, spiritually and physically to stay here with us. I will never forget that. It gets me through those moments when I’m missing her the most and asking, ‘Why isn’t she here?’

She wanted to be so, so badly. She moved mountains to stay. She looked death in the eye and said, ‘Not yet.’ And when the time came that she acknowledged that she could not win this battle, she had no fear. She told us she loved us, and kept telling us she loved us until her voice was gone.

My mom was the strongest, bravest person I’ve ever encountered, and I can say with certainty that no one will ever inspire me the way she did.” — Kourtney Leibman, Shawnee, Kansas

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF KOURTNEY SMITH LEIBMAN

Amar Trivedi and his mother Prerana Trivedi
“My Mum’s name is Prerana. It means ‘Inspiration’ in many Indian languages. She said she’d travel to New Zealand (for the first time all by herself, at age 73) to visit my wife Dee and I.

When she arrived in Dec 2011, I remember jumping over the airport barricades and running to give her a hug. For that 50-day visit, I thank God for every day… We traveled and ate and talked and laughed and made so many fond memories — they’re enough to last a lifetime.” — Amar Trivedi, New Zealand

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF AMAR TRIVEDI

Ann Caren and her mother Katherine Mitchell
“On May 10, 2002, my daughter Madison was born. She was my parents’ first grandchild … A few days later, my father let me know that he was sick. Very sick. His cancer had returned and his circulation was so bad that the doctor’s wouldn’t do treatment. He was going to die from either the cancer or his heart. My parents kept this a secret during the last part of my pregnancy so as to not upset me.

Two weeks after my daughter was born, my father died … I can only imagine the heartbreak my mother experienced. However, it was also election day in my hometown, and coincidentally, my mother had already thrown her hat in the ring for a commissioner position, even before the dire realization of her near future.

She wanted to be a part of something greater than herself. She wanted to help out her small town. She wanted to make a difference. So in between the funeral, receiving mourners at her home and bonding with her new granddaughter, she not only voted for her say in the election, but SHE WON!!!!!

My mother has always taught me to be the bigger person, to have compassion for every person, to rise above and to above all, be my own source of strength. My mom never remarried, never dated, never even showed an interest. She has made her community, her friends and her family her life.” — Ann Caren, Kennesaw, Georgia

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF ANN CAREN

Andrea Domínguez and her mother
“Ever since I was a little girl, for my birthday I would get one special gift from my mom. She would let me choose that one, and it could be anything from candy to a headband or a meal at McDonald’s.

When I turned 15 (for my Quinceañera party), I chose a stuffed toy in the shape of a Mexican dressed cucumber (from VeggieTales) that sang a funny song. When my family saw my special gift, they all flipped, and she stood up for me and said, ‘She gets to pick whatever she wants, and if she chooses to still be a kid, she will always be MY kid!’

I’m 25 now and she still gets me candy, stuffed animals, sticker books, Disney movies and bakes a big purple cake with Skittles all over it.

Not only [does] she inspire me … That woman rocks my world!” — Andrea Domínguez, Guatemala

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IMAGE: COURTESY OF ANDREA DOMINGUEZ

Jamie Williams and his mother Lisa Williams
“When I was a child my mother was making my lunch one day when a fire erupted on the stove top. My brave mom ran into the kitchen, grabbed the flaming pot and ran outside with it. As if that wasn’t heroic enough… after the flames were gone, my mom sat in a chair on our porch and told me to stay inside and not to worry.

Her expression seemed a bit strange and she had her body turned away from me, but she was otherwise completely calm and collected. I later found out that she suffered third-degree burns from her elbow to her fingertips on her right arm.

She used every bit of strength and willpower she had to hold back tears and screams so that I wouldn’t get scared or worried.” — Jamie Williams, Fort Myers, Florida

IMAGE: COURTESY OF JAMIE WILLIAMS

For many more stories from this article go to: http://mashable.com/2014/05/08/inspiring-moms/