What My Mother Has Taught Me

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought I would share a few things my mother has taught me that I rely on again and again.

1. If you don't have anything nice to day, don't say anything at all. I'm not a big fan of gossip or idle chit chat, so I've learned to choose my words wisely and sit back and listen before offering a response or opinion.
2. Make people feel at home. My mother is a consummate hostess. She always has too much food, she knows everyone's favorite drink, and she'll wait on you hand and foot. I still need a little work in this area.
3. Always show up early... never keep people waiting. I was taught that if you were on time, you were late. Unfortunately, this means I do a lot of waiting myself.
4. Say "please" and "thank you". These words are magic. I followed in her footsteps and these two words were some of the first my children learned.
5. How to make a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. If I don't make her sage and onion stuffing each year, it just isn't Thanksgiving.

I'm still learning, but I think I've learned a lot.

She brought me countless drinks of water in the middle of the night without complaint. She would rub my tummy or my head when I was sick. I can still see her sitting in my high school auditorium knitting while I rehearsed another song or a scene. She drove me to singing lessons and any and every school event without making me feel as though I was putting her out.

Thank you, mom.

What I hope I've taught my own children so far.

1. You can never say "I love you" enough. I tell them this at least once a day.
2. There is no such thing as spoiling a baby or a child with too many hugs and kisses. I don't care how old they are.
3. I learn as much from them as they learn from me. My girls are a lot smarter than I was at their age. Their poise and maturity astounds me sometimes.
4. Family is the most important thing. The rest of this stuff is all filler. I will not die wishing I had spent more time working on a project or making more money.

What has your mother taught you?

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!