~It's okay to cry.
~Improvise, because life happens with some unexpected things.
~Keep the saran wrap in the freezer so it doesn't stick together when you use it.
~Don't forget to use PAM! (My mother was appalled to learn that I buy the Publix brand cooking spray, and not PAM. "Does it work???" she asked me.)
~Mistakes happen. Learn from your mistakes and make the best of your situation.
~Get a dog. Preferably a rescued dog. Dogs are the best.
~Be on time, and always be prepared. (I totally fail at this one.)
~Don't go in public looking like a bum. My mom always fussed at me if I rolled out of bed and went to class in sweats (which was, um, everyday) and no make-up. She said that I should always try to look my best for Chris. This is coming from the lady who was a stay-at-home mom and got up and got ready EVERY MORNING just to drop me off at school. Also, another funny side-note: One time Chris and I stayed with my parents and were going to go to church with them. I came out of the bathroom, fully-ready, and my mom looked at me and said, "Oh, are you not going to wear make-up today?" to which I replied, "Mom, I am wearing make-up." This was normal for us, with slightly different topics...hair, clothes, eyebrows...you get the idea.
~Sing in the morning, just because you're happy for another day of life.
~Find a church and get involved and serve the Lord!
~How to make cakes. Really good cakes. And frost and decorate, too. I am sorry if you've never had the joyful experience of trying one of my delicious cakes. Let me know, I'll bake one for you.
~The power of prayer. Not the ritual of praying, but slowing down and spending time with God.
~Selfless love. I told Chris today that I love our children already, and I hope that God gives me the opportunity to have kids and to love those kids the way that my mom loved me. It will be so scary to have kids and not be able to pick up the phone and call my mom for advice, but I will just take what she taught me and run with it. And while I am on the subject (this is, after all, my blog) I think that the way I love Chris and the way I will love our children is totally different, not even comparable. I think that one of the hardest things I have dealt with in my mom's death is knowing that no one will love me as selflessly as she did. She always told me, "No one loves you like your momma!" And she was right.~My mother taught me to be a Godly wife. My parents were such wonderful role models for Chris and me. A family is the strongest form of socialization, and it takes everyone in their roles to function. I am so grateful for her strong example of loving my dad.
~Stand up for what's right. Right is not easy, but it's right, so do it.
~IOCS. That would be Independent Only-Child Syndrome. I inherited that from my mom. I like to do things my way, without regards to what others think. This may be one of my strongest traits, and I am happy to say it has served me well so far. It works in my marriage, because I have a super-busy Dr. Hubby, and *I* also think it is the root to much of my creativity. She also wanted me to get an education and be able to take care of myself.
Okay, so I could go on and on about things she taught me, but I just shared some of the important things. And the funny things. Obviously this list is not in order of importance. My mother was a wonderful person, and I can only hope to be one-tenth of the woman she was. I wrote this post to encourage you to think about your relationship with your mothers. Ask them questions...about your childhood, what they want for you in life, what they would have done differently in raising you. I would be THRILLED if any of you want to leave a comment (or send me an email) sharing some of the things your mother taught you. Happy Mother's Day!
"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." -Oscar Wilde
4 comments:
I really enjoyed reading this post! Thanks for sharing! I think the two big things that my mother has taught me, that I have found to be true SO many times is: 1.) God is the only one who will NEVER let you down. Everyone else will at some point, because we are only human. We even fail ouselves. 2.) I have heard these words from my mother a million times: "There is always a better day coming." or "This too shall pass." No matter how life gets us down sometimes, we can always know that there will be happier days in the future. It is so true. It just gives you something to look forward to during the rough times!
My mom always tried to make sure I knew how to do things that now to me seem SO basic, but that a lot of people just don't understand. For instance, when she got married she had NO CLUE about finances and had to learn the hard way how to actually manage money... so by the time I was 12 she had taught me how to write checks, balance a checkbook, and pay bills. Then when I turned 16 and could drive I was put mostly in charge of grocery shopping.
That didn't seem like a big deal (or odd) until I went 3 hours away for my freshman year of college and saw how many people HAD NO CLUE how to take care of themselves.
And I RANDOMLY remember being fairly little and helping her wash dishes, and she showed me how to stick the dishrag in a cup or glass and twist it around to clean out the bottom. I think about that when I'm in a hurry trying to wash out baby bottles, because you pretty much HAVE to use a bottle brush to clean them, and I think it would be SO much easier (and faster and cleaner) if I could wash them the other way. haha
I love you so much!! And I miss you. A LOT.
This was a great post Amanda, I really enjoyed reading about what your mom has taught you. I think the two biggest things my mom has taught me are: 1) To love the Lord - she has been a great example of a Godly woman. And 2) how to laugh at myself, and the world around me. People tend to take themselves too seriously. I think because of her I tend to let things roll off my back more easily and I can enjoy the ride of life.
You have really been on my mind and heart today -- I am praying for you and miss you! My mom has taught me quite a bit, but some of the most useful bits are 1)How to entertain and throw a great dinner party -- I hope that people feel as comfortable in my home as they do in hers 2) How to act in public and proper phone etiquette -- these might seem shallow, but have served me well in more situations than I ever thought!
Post a Comment