Everything I Ever Needed to Know, I Learned from my Mom

I grew up in a very strict religion.  One of the beliefs were, we didn’t celebrate holidays.  It always made me sad I couldn’t make a card for my mom on Mother’s Day. I made her cards on other days, but on Mother’s Day, it still felt like I should be giving my mom a card.

Fast forward to today- twenty five years later, and we are not in that religion anymore.  And as life would have it, I am not a card person.  I hate trying to find that ‘perfect’ card.  I either find nothing I like, or I find too many and then I can’t make up my mind.  I usually end up sending e-cards, because at least I can do that on the computer, when I don’t have two active little boys underfoot, trying to take all the cards out of the rack, while I search for that ‘one.’ 

That does not mean that I don’t appreciate what my mom has done for me, over the course of my 30+ years.  My mom will not have a ‘perfect’ card in a ‘perfect’ pink envelope this year, but I know she reads my blog.  So Mom- like it or not, whether you knew it or not, I did manage to learn a lot from you. I hope you enjoy this list Mom, it is for you.

• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all
• Life isn’t fair
• Home cooked meals can solve most any problems- at least while you are eating
• If you keep trying something long enough, you will eventually learn to like it (for me it was the spaghetti you always made me eat)
• Crying over someone else’s problems is a sure way to stop crying about yours
• It is okay to order food the way you want it in a restaurant
• Kids don’t need a lot of sugar
• Take your vitamins every day
• If you are bored, there is always something that can be cleaned
• If you are bored, there is always a book you can read
• Later on in life, what will help you remember your childhood, is the pictures (thanks for always keeping such great ones for us!)
• When you believe in yourself, there are no limits to what you can accomplish
• There are some people in your life who will always be there for you
• Some things are worth spending money on
• Life doesn’t always turn out as you hoped, but you never give up
• Friends can help you get through anything
• If you can’t go on another day, then don’t- just get through the next hour, and then the next hour after that
• No matter how hard and bad life may be, there is always something or someone worth hanging on for
• No one is perfect
• If you aren’t true to yourself, you will never have real happiness
• Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth
• You can find every solution to life in a movie- or at least watch other people going through the same thing you are
• Seeking help for your problems may be painful, but not seeking help is more painful to you, and everyone else who loves you
• No matter how old I get, when I am sick, I just want my mommy
• If you aren’t happy, do something today to change it. 
• Your children will know if you are truly happy, or faking it
• Sleep is good
• Naps are even better
• You will never love anyone like you love your children
• You won’t understand this until you have children
• You will know how much your own mother loves you, when you have your own children

It took me thirty one years to learn these last three.  Now they hold for me, the key to the present and the future.  

Thank you for all the life lessons, Mom, and Happy Mother’s Day.  I love you.