Photo by: Vinoth Chandar
A while back, I saw a mother hosting her young son’s birthday party in a local park on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. She was wearing a button that read,“All birthdays are Mother’s Day!” And I thought to myself: That’s a wonderful way to look at “the world’s toughest job.”
I absolutely believe being a mom is the toughest job in the world. I also believe there are very few people who can impact lives like mothers!
Mother’s Day is just a few days away, and if you’re lucky enough to still have your mom around, no doubt you’ll find some way to honor her. You’ll join sons and daughters the world over who stop and take the time to say, “Thanks for all you do, Mom. I love you.”
The Voice of Experience
In past years around Mother’s Day, I’ve shared a few “Things I’ve Learned from Mama.” This has always been one of my most-requested articles, and it has even been featured in The Birmingham News and other publications.
My mama taught me so much about so many areas of life. Here are a few of the best tips, thoughts and philosophies my mother passed on to my brother and me:
- Finish what you start. Nobody is impressed with a “quitter.” We are not measured by how many things we start but by what we actually accomplish.
- Go first class, and buy only the best. If you cannot afford the best, wait until you can afford it.
- Always better yourself. Continue to learn, grow and look for ways to improve yourself. Never stop learning!
- Visit the library weekly. Develop and maintain a voracious appetite for reading. Mom used to take me to the library every week. She set an example for me by checking out several books for herself on each trip.
- Do what you love, and you will never have to work another day in your life. Work hard, play hard and live life to the fullest.
- Always tell people the truth—even if it might sting a little.
- Be generous to others. My mother was most definitely a “giver.”
- When people are sick, down or hurt, reach out and help them. You never know when you might be on the receiving end of this sort of kindness.
- Save some, spend some and live within your means. This is one of the most important lessons to teach any child.
And finally—never give up! If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Better yet, make enough to share. My mother had three strokes that left her in a wheelchair, and she could only type with a single finger. She wrote three cookbooks—one finger at a time! Now that’s perseverance!
Aren’t mamas wonderful? Happy Mother’s Day to all! Thank you for doing the world’s hardest job each and every day. We appreciate you, and we honor you.