CHOWCHILLA -- -- Almost every parent knows the pain of being away from a child, if only for a day or two. But when the separation is prolonged, so, too, is the pain. Especially when the time alone isn't a choice, but an order.

In this story, that is only on KTVU, Mother's Day is delayed but not denied.

The sun wasn't even up yet Friday morning, but some children were.

Sleepy-eyed and all, they were excited, ready to do something most children take for granted.

Nine year old Diamon Russell of Richmond said, "I'm going to see my mother and I haven't seen her in 5 years."

A Fremont 14 year old, Jamal Walker, said, "Kind of happy I'm going to see her today, can't be no happier than this."

Eighteen year old King Yates, from Tucson, said he hasn't seen his mother since shortly after he was born.

"I'm ready to hop on this bus right now," he said.

And that's what he did, hopped onto one of the two free buses leaving San Leandro Friday morning.

About 2 1/2 hours later, the children arrived at the Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla.

There they were scanned, beeped and processed.

Tamara Louis, 21, was impatient.

"It takes forever for them to get out here," she said.

Now 16, Daniel Banks waited for the first contact visit with his mom since she came here three ago.

"No hugs, no kisses, no nothing, it's been rough living without my mom," said Banks.

His mom Angeline Fitch was so happy to see him. "I feel wonderful, this is my baby, my only baby."

Shannon Guillory said she's serving a life term. "So these moments here are very precious to me, it's when I get to see my baby."

For four hours, the years of separation melted away. These annual Mother's Day trips, delayed seven weeks this year because of swine flu, are made possible through donations and volunteers.

The "Get on the Bus" program started 10 years ago with one bus and 17 children. Today, 40 buses and two airplanes brought about 500 children to the state's three women's prisons so they could see their mothers.

Mercedes Leeper of Oakland said, "This time has made me very humble, very humble and it shows me what I take for granted and I'm just so grateful I have another chance to come home and be with my son." That should happen in March when she expects to be paroled.

Tamara Louis said, "The wait is worth it, I just miss my mom"

For some of the children, this is not their first Mother's Day visit behind bars, nor will it be their last.

But the volunteers from "Get on the Bus" make sure it'll be one they'll always remember.