Be careful young Mothers. You are laying a foundation. Lay well.
Today was a day to remember and learn and honor those that have influenced us for good over the many years of our association.
So I collect mother lessons, and really favorite mothers to emulate. Some biggies of mine are treasures of mother-good and have shown me high and holy ways to improve my skill set and become divine.
I have wondered about making mention by specific names, and most of these know about my love and admiration.
And to make a point of all of this, for my life and journal I will get personal and "let the record show..."
Favorites besides my own departed mother are Mother Teresa, and mother Teresa; Mike's Mom. Kathy Hawkins, Eleanor Olsen, Nola Hinckley, Norma Killpack and Shirley Hanosek. It's the short list I learn from and refer to. Just now looking at it something amazes me, though I never thought of it before. Follow me.
Interestingly these are 7 moms I wholly admire. Two are childless, and never married. Two are divorced and remain single. One had 1 child, one 4, one 6, one 9 and one 13. Three worked full time careers almost all the time. Three have been great volunteers. All are equally brilliant in their sphere.
My friend Kathy taught me years ago with so many children and so much testosterone at our house, that I didn't have much ego. I couldn't with my crew of critically thinking males, so I seldom compared myself, I had to be a work in progress.
The two Teresa's; one said, " If you judge, you have no time to Love. The other Teresa taught everything can be done, if you just keep at it, and kids are always worth it.
In a favorite and thankful moment from Norma I learned though she was very disgusted and irritated with me, "to get over my 'hate of Mother's Day' because it would pollute my kids, and they'd feel about me and the day, the way I felt, and no better. She scolded me that I better be about showing them that "being a Mother" was the greatest thing on Earth!"
She really dressed me down about my poor attitude and I changed instantly forever. (For like every good mother, I couldn't be the reason my kids hated what I thought of as a horrible day).
I am able to love and recognize true grace in womanhood, and the dignity of homemaking at it's best, thanks to my Dearest Aunt Nola. She ever teaches me with her vibrant nature, excellence and diligent work ethic. I want to be more like her; sensitive, listening, wise and tactful.
Eleanor teaches naturally. She loves and cares above and beyond my vision for all souls. People that happen into her life she serves and continues loving. She has staying power, develops traditions. She is a blessing to countless concourses of people. If I've ever known anyone to erect a monument to it would be her.
Shirley shows passion, DEVOTION, even though it's often unwanted or reciprocated by those in her circle. She is like the widow in the Bible, giving all she has. She will always care, share, and give something. She doesn't quit when it's hard.
I won't go on but these are Mothers extraordinaire.
Mothers are teachers and mothers are our teachers. No one ever does...,( and I see it more clearly today than ever), have such a great influence upon us. Hence we can never quit being MOTHERS!!
All That I am I owe to.......
Today I went feeling ill with a germy cold, to my church services for Mother's Day and we heard all about some great mother's from our congregation. We heard three of them emulated, really praised and adored by their children. I'm sure this was welcome to each of their surprised ears. Fathers must have helped they did so well. I enjoyed it, really, and liked learning about these great women as Mothers. Probably because I have learned so much from some of them as well.
Knowing how much I have loved the lessons I've learned from Mothers as teachers to me, I had asked my guests today to bring me a favorite lesson they'd learned from their mother or something a favorite Mother had taught them.
Everyone was quick to answer and the lessons were profound and fun to learn from yet more mothers how they have influenced memories.
It proved Instructional, showing me more things I'd missed. And I loved it and actually I worried the men here were a bit jealous of such great lessons from the opposite gender. The focus was clearly female and so happily offered by almost everyone asked. Would they ever teach such lessons?
I hope to record their offerings here chiefly for my remembrance and to glean new visions of what to work on and accomplish in the years ahead. You too can sort them out with a Warning: have as little or NO ego about this offering as possible.
It was very instructive and tactful as it needed to be for me, the listener. I hope you'll enjoy it as well. Laugh as you find out so many things you left out as well..... or could work at.
Jim: My mother taught me how to throw a great Party.
Steffanie: My mom taught me it was good to be flat chested, and wearing make-up too early would get you hooked on it and you'd naturally have wear more as you got older anyway so don't hurry it.
Quent: My street was filled with older people and my mom taught me to love them and serve them and I learned that they needed friends and were so happy to have a youngster to do little things for them, they even gave me cookies with their thanks, and sometime even quarters, I'm changed because of that.
Kai: I learned from my mom snuggling is good. ( he mentioned how he could see on the other kids faces they didn't get snuggled by their moms)
Evelyn: My mom teaches me to always be kind to others.
Jake: I received great facial recognition software from my mother, because of her I don't forget names or faces.
Amanda: My mom taught us; whatever you're given to do or put your mind to, you do your best, give it your best effort, and do the very best you can.
Jayda: I love how I am able to talk about things I've done wrong and being able to just talk with her being calm about it. At night we get to have a little talk about my day or if I'm mad about something.
Trey: My Mom has taught me to show to respect others; especially in their home's and when they come over to my house.
Chloe: She taught me to not talk to strangers.
Sadie: My mother taught me to love Jesus.
Bear: My mother taught me family scripture study is important and I see now how it strengthens me as an adult.
Julie: My mom taught me how to sew, it's a great memory for me having her teach me.
Izze: My Mom taught me, (wagging her finger) "Oh no you didn't".
David: My mom taught me to walk on people and pull toes. She provides lots of comedic material.
Dave's friend Lisa: My Mom taught me to care for myself in grooming and hygiene, I thought she was OCD, but I'm just like her now and I care about every hair.
Peter: My mom taught me "not to use up your 'Cool' too fast" and I watched her be nice to many kinds of people and I learned to do that, watching and thinking that it was a good thing to do, and so it's still something I try to do.
Bekah: My Mother taught me how important it was to fill your spare moments keeping busy helping others.
Karen, Pete's Sister-in-law: My mom had a gift to open her heart and give herself and her time away to all kinds of children she didn't even know. She blesses lives and brought great experiences and learning to them they never would have had without her.
Joel: My mother taught me to ask for what you want and need and it has served me well.
Jamie: My mother taught me,"You always have a choice."
Cecily: I learned to laugh, be a crazy person making jokes and being insane, that is a huge blessing in my life, and life is more fun that way.
Chantee', Chris's Friend: Patience. I probably have learned it the most watching her; how she looks at the situation and lets it go the way it needs to and doesn't freak out. It helps you to be able to get along better as you work on developing this talent in your life. It is such a Christlike attribute.
Chris: Always have faith things will turn out good, and keep progressing.
So now I quest toward a life seemingly somewhat more simple.....??
Continue; "Blooming Wherever I'm Planted" and ever learning.
AND
Using my uniqueness to love and bless anyone who will take it.
Meanwhile I keep this quote close, to get me through those tight 'mother' spots....
"If I had a prayer it would be this: God spare me from the desire for; love, approval or appreciation. Amen" Byron Katie
