Celebrating Mother's Day in the Park

It was a celebration of mothers and their children in Medford Sunday.

More than 500 people turned out for the 10th annual Mother's Day in the Park Celebration at Alba Park.

It was hosted by Jackson County Health and Human Services, The Safe Place and the Family Nurturing Center.

Moms celebrated this 100th Mother's Day with fun, food, free phone calls and haircuts.

"I've been working the least 4 mothers days this is my first mothers day off for four years i figured id come out and do something with my kid," said Misty Smartt, who was getting her hair trimmed.

There were plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, and moms relaxing.

The event was started 10 years ago by a group of home visitation nurses.

"Most women we worked with did not have good mothers days they dint go out to eat saw it as a depressing day of pain and sorrow," said Robin Turgesen, of Jackson County Health and Human Services.

For Ruth Kielman - it was about celebrating much more.

"Celebrating the obstacles I've overcome to be part of my daughters life," said Kielman.

"And to show other mothers if I can do it they can do it too."

KIelman lost three years time with her children because of her drug problems and for years, Mother's Day was very difficult. But everything has changed for the better.

"Now its a celebration in my life and my kids look at me as a hero sometimes and that makes me feel better knowing what i have overcome," she said.

Michele Gray attended the celebration for the first time last year as part of the Mom's Program.

After using drugs for years, this is the first Mother's Day she's been clean and sober in a very long time.

"This time with my daughter a wonderful thing to hold her and love her she looks up to me drugs not a part of my life and i can be a good mom and be there for her," Gray said.