Sunday, May 13, 2007

Mom's Advice

Ruth was my mother.
She was a genuinely good person...she rarely said a bad word about anyone. She was a friend to all...even those who didn't deserve her friendship. She was quick to laugh, quick to learn new things, quick to share her point of view (usually very loudly), quick to admit she was wrong (though she rarely was), quick to point out just how right she was, quick to share advice for life and quick to offer up her heart full of love for anyone in need. I shared in her love with three brothers, a Dad (just as special), a mixed breed dog named Sabby and a multitude of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Ruth loved life , and made it her goal to instill that same love in her family. She loved everything about life, but found her simple joys in "Mom" things...anything her children loved became her new favorite thing. Football, wrestling, hockey, music ( she could pick up a saxophone, trombone, clarinet or tuba and play it well), flowers, theater....if it included her child, or even a child that was important to her...you'd find her there, in the front row, loudly cheering you on...or offering up her opinions loudly also, about the refereeing skills involved in the competition! I didn't always agree with what she said...and I didn't always take her advice to heart, especially during those turbulent teenage years when the word "Mother" was synonymous with "dumb" and "doesn't have a clue". Now...looking back, from the other side of 50, oh how I wish I'd listened..and written that advice down for future generations! For my simple joy, this 11 th Mother's Day without her, I'd like to share some of my favorite lessons from Mom.....those I hope my own daughter and granddaughter take to heart and record for their own future generations! ( and a picture of our home grown Mother's Day flowers!)

Lessons from Ruth.....the condensed version!

* I am special...no matter how I look, how much money I earn or what the scale tells me. Sometimes I still have to look in the mirror (and hide the scale) and repeat this one a couple times!

* Life isn't always fair...it isn't supposed to be. It's not always easy either. But each day holds a measure of joy....seek it out.

* Pick your battles. You have to decide when to stand...or when to fold.

* You can lie to the world, but to yourself you have to be honest.

* Go outside...it's a beautiful day!

* When every thing's coming your way, you're usually in in the wrong lane.

* If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

* Laughter is the best medicine in the world. Find something to laugh about everyday...even if it's yourself.

* Finding your balance in life starts when you're about one. It never ends. Don't take it for granted.

* Relax. Some things come with age.

* The silence of an unanswered prayer speaks volumes. Listen closely. God is talking to you.

Ruth will always be one of the best blessings in my life. May you all have someone like her in yours. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

1 comment:

Debu's Blog said...

u r...in a gr8 sense...a GREEN - NATURE - LOVER...thanx for loving with nature...they gives atleast a 1 second enjoyable moment to us...