MOM'S THE WORD MOMS GO EXTRA MILE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

Byline: MARK KELLAM Valley News Writer

Every mother is special to her child. Moms cook and clean. They kiss the boo-boos and give smiles of encouragement at just the right moment. They tuck their children into bed at night and do all they can to help their kids grow up healthy and happy.

From the more than 400 essays we received in our Mother's Day contest, the Valley News highlights four moms who have gone the extra mile for their children.

One is fighting a physical disease. One is battling a mental condition. One sacrificed a promising writing career to move to the United States so her children could have a better education and one protected her daughter during a bank robbery.

Angelina Martinez of San Fernando started having severe headaches about 18 months ago. They became so severe that she was bedridden, said her 11-year-old daughter, Cynthia.

After going to the doctor and undergoing tests, Angelina found out she had two brain tumors that would require two separate operations - the first she underwent a year ago and the second last March.

She is doing well and doctors continue monitoring her condition.

In her essay, Cynthia said she was happy her mom is still with her, but was well aware that the outcome could have been quite different.

``Imagine never saying, `Hi, Mom?' I never want to have a life not saying `Happy Mother's Day,''' she wrote.

Angelina is a single mom, so not having a father figure isn't unusual for Cynthia. ``But without a mom, that's just plain terrible,'' she wrote.

Angelina has received a lot of support from her family, including her parents, who live nearby, and her other children, Gabriel, 23, and Gabriella, 15.

Angelina's fight against cancer taught Cynthia an important life lesson. ``I want to be brave like her, too,'' she said, gazing at her mom and smiling.

Diane Morales of Van Nuys fought another battle - one for her children.

After a series of emotionally harrowing events, Diane tried to take her life 18 months ago. Family Services stepped in and removed her four children, but Diane didn't give up. She committed to undergo therapy and fight to get her children back.

But the journey was difficult.

She underwent extensive counseling for depression, facing issues from her past such as child abuse and the death of her husband nine years ago. She explained that these were issues she hadn't dealt with before and they caught up with her.

``I broke,'' she said.

Her four children went to live with her father's ex-wife, who graciously agreed to care for them.

She now has two of her children back -- Matthew Saucedo, 10, and his older brother, Anthony, 12.

In his essay, Matthew wrote: ``My Mom is so caring. She lends people money when they need. She donates food to the homeless and she also takes care of me and my brother. She is a hard-working mom. I love her with all my heart.''

When he recalls his mom's efforts to regain custody of her children, Matthew writes, ``She fought with all her might to get us home and she did.''

Sripali Kotuwella had a promising career as a children's book writer in her native Sri Lanka. In 1980, she won a major award for her book, ``Sinhala,'' which translates to ``We Are Friends.''

She went on to write six more books. She married Mahinda Madigapola and they started a family. Their daughter, Sewwandi, was born and a few years later, their son, Pathum, came into the world.

It was about that time that Sripali and Mahinda made the decision to move to the United States. So, in 1997, when Pathum was 4 months old, the family moved and settled in Northridge.

It's a decision Pathum appreciates ``(My mom) sacrificed her carrier (career) to come to the U.S.A. for us,'' Pathum wrote in his essay. ``She wanted to give us the best education and better future.''

Sripala said there are many fine universities in Sri Lanka, but they don't offer the variety of majors available at colleges and universities in the United States.

She's tried pursuing a writing career in the United States, but the competition is overwhelming and publishers are not easily accessible. While she's sometimes sad about leaving her writing career behind, she knows it was the right choice.

Pathum admires her sacrifice. ``My mother thinks the most important thing in the whole world is her children,'' Pathum wrote in his essay.

Feb. 29, 1997. It was a day that Margarita Alvarado -- and many people in the Valley -- will not forget.

It was on that morning that two men with machine guns entered the Bank of America at Victory and Laurel Canyon boulevards in North Hollywood, corralled the customers and employees into a safe-deposit area and tried to rob the bank.

Margarita of North Hollywood and her young daughter Stephanie, who was then almost 2 years old, were in the bank that morning.

Though Stephanie, now 11, doesn't remember the incident, she does appreciate that Margarita thought of protecting her daughter more than herself. ``My Mom quickly dropped me to the floor with her on top so I could be safe,'' Stephanie wrote in her essay.

Margarita still vividly remembers the attempted robbery and said she kept her daughter's safety in mind throughout the ordeal.

When held in the safe-deposit area, Margarita stayed in the corner with her back to the robbers. She held Stephanie in her arms, hoping to shield her from gunfire if it broke out.

``I didn't realize how important that was to her until I read her essay,'' Margarita said.

``I feel safe when I'm around her,'' Stephanie added.

Now, nine years later, Margarita is happy the ordeal didn't end with either of them being injured. She enjoys every day with Stephanie and her 5-year-old sister, Daisy. ``They give me more reason every day to be proud of them,'' she said. ``I tell them, `Don't try to BE the best, just DO your best.'''

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4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Diane Morales and her son Matthew Saucedo enjoy doing crafts together. Morales underwent extensive counseling for depression to get back two of her four children. She hopes the other two can return soon.

Mark Kellam/Valley News

(2 -- color) Cynthia Martinez and her mom, Angelina, wash dishes at their San Fernando home. Martinez is battling two brain tumors. Cynthia says her mother's bravery inspires her.

(3 -- color) Sripali Kotuwella and her son Pathum Madigapola read from a book she wrote when she lived in Sri Lanka. Sripali left a promising writing career to move to the United States so her children could have a better education.

(4 -- color) Margarita Alvarez and her daughters, Stephanie and Daisy, enjoy watching movies together at home. Margarita protected Stephanie during a bank robbery in 1997, a selfless act Stephanie still appreciates.