Thirteen Things I Learned From My Mom

Life has a way of getting so busy that we often forget the little things. Like telling those we love how much they mean to us. I’ve spent the better part of a week thinking about my mom and the things I learned from her. I cannot begin to express the love I feel for her. She is my best girl-friend, my confidant, my hero. There are so many things that I love about her. She’s helped make me the woman I am today and for that I am eternally grateful. I want to share thirteen things I learned from her. In honor of Mother’s Day (which is Sunday, May 8^th, in case you forgot), here is my tribute to my mom, Marilyn.

Compassion- My mom taught me that no matter how bad your life may be, someone else’s is so much worse. She did her part to try and make their burden a little lighter.
Unconditional Love- I know I was a difficult child to love, but she did it anyway. I have always had a bit of an attitude (I know. Big shock, right?) She may not have always liked me, but she never stopped loving me.
Reading- I can remember getting a pile of books when it was time for me to take a nap and she would crawl into bed with me and read. Now that I’m an adult, we share the love of many of the same authors so we swap books often.
Writing- When I was a teenager, we knocked heads often. We yelled and screamed at one another, never getting our points across. In the morning, there would be a letter on the stair steps, waiting for me. I would, in turn, write back to her and leave it on the counter. We communicated so much better when we put pen to paper.
Baking and cooking- I spent most of my childhood beside my mom in the kitchen. Over cookies, pies, cakes or even something as simple as dinner, we got to know each other. Those were the most wonderful times in my memories. At Christmas, we spent hours and hours in the kitchen preparing goodies for our friends and neighbors.
How to fall in love- I can remember when I started dating. My mom told me that I shouldn’t waste my time dating a guy who I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life with. Of course, I didn’t listen. Then, she told me that the man I marry should be my best friend. Boy, was she ever right! I found the perfect guy who became my best friend in the whole world. We will celebrate our 18^th anniversary in September.
Faith- My mom is one who always has faith. She believes that no matter how bad things are, they will get better. I was raised in a Christian household, but since I’ve grown up, I’ve gone a different route in my beliefs and practices. When I told my mom, I was so worried that she would despise me. Instead she simply asked, “Do you believe there is someone or something in this universe bigger than yourself?” When I replied, “Yes”, she said, “That’s all I ask. If you didn’t have faith, then I would be worried.”
Money does not make the world go round- We were not financially wealthy by any means. There were often times when things were strapped tighter than tight, but as kids, we never really knew it. We were wealthy because we had each other. Looking back, I know how blessed I was to have two parents who loved me and a little brother who tolerated me (wink).
To take time to play- From cranking the radio up in the kitchen and singing along to teasing one another, we always had time to play around.
Music- There was never a time when music wasn’t playing in our house. That’s where my eclectic tastes came from. It didn’t matter if it was the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Debbie Boone or whatever country music was big at the time, I knew the words to every one of the songs. Now, she finds me Canadian country artists to add to my music collection and she is always right on the money.
How to be frugal- As I said earlier, we were not wealthy. From clipping coupons and living on a budget to cooking good food in a cheap way, my mom could stretch a dollar to the breaking point. In these days and times, those lessons have come in handy.
How to be a woman- I remember watching my mom do her hair and make-up and I was always amazed. When it came my turn to start wearing make-up, she always said, “Less is more.” Yeah, right, I was a child of the 80s. Big hair, lots of black eyeliner and ridiculous amounts of eye shadow, blush and lipstick. Now”¦I only curl my hair on special occasions and I wear very little make-up. I prefer to do as my mom suggested and let my natural beauty show through.
How to give- It didn’t matter how much money we had, my mom would always find a way to give. She would make cakes, cookies or pies for people’s birthdays (and always remember which flavor was their favorite). She would make cookies for truckers to sell on their route as a fundraiser to help fund the Christmas party held for some of the community’s less fortunate. She would help the ladies in our church make quilts. She would volunteer to help with weddings, graduations, whatever she could do to make someone else’s life a little easier.

These are only a few of the things I learned from my mom. She was a farmer’s wife, my home room mother from kindergarten through eighth grade and Brownie/Girl Scout leader. She went to work as a cook/waitress when I was in the 6^th grade, but she still had time for all of the things she did. She may have been tired and run down, but she did it all with a smile of her face and a song in her heart. She is one of my cheerleaders and supporters as I embark on the newest adventure in my life. She is a shoulder to cry on and one of those people who I can share anything with. Without her, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today! I love you, Mom! HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

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