Share stories about your trophies of motherhood

To the untrained eye, they look like only so much junk.

Wobbly drawings of flowers, with "I love you, Mom" in tentative block letters that run down-slope. The amorphous blob of Play-Doh meant to approximate a fish — or is it a cow?

But these are the trophies of motherhood.

Are you a mother who treasures something your child once created specially for you?

Even if they end up as junk-drawer filler, they frequently have poignant and sweet stories behind them. Won't you write to us about those maternal mementos? The Advertiser will select some letters to feature in an upcoming story for Mother's Day.

Tell us in 500 words or less: What is the story of the gift, and why is it special to you? Be sure to describe the gift, how old your child was and when you received it.

You are invited also to submit a photo of the object, yourself and/or your child. Please send hard-copy photos only (no computer disks or e-mailed photos). And be sure to send a copy of the photo that you can spare because no materials can be returned.

Send to:

Motherhood Mementos, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.

Letters only may be e-mailed to ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com, or faxed to 535-8170. Be sure to include your city as well as your day phone number. Letters and photos submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.

The deadline has been extended to 4 p.m. Wednesday.