Yesterday, as I was talking to her she said she wished she had something profound to tell me. I told her she had been telling me many profound things for years. She has always been that constant voice in my ear – often providing good advice, sometimes nagging, and other times saying just the right thing. Here are a few of Mama’s words in my ear. I wonder if any are familiar to you, too.
* But by the grace of God there go I.
* Always tell the truth. You’ll get in less trouble.
* Always wear clean underwear. You never know if you might get in a wreck.
* Make sure you respect him.
* Always be careful of what you do. You never know who might be watching.
* Put on some lipstick.
* Get your hair out of your eyes.
* One thing no one can take away from you is your education.
* Make sure you can support yourself.
* If you lose your reputation you may never get it back.
* Roses take a lot of work, patience and fertilizer.
* Babies don’t come with instruction books on their bottoms. We do the best we can.
* Everything tastes better with a little pepper.
* If possible, make it yourself.
* Stand up straight.
* Take trips with your husband.
* You can always trust me. I have your best interest at heart. I’m the one person who will never be jealous of you or will lie to you.
* You are so pretty.
* Don’t wear yellow or orange. You look better in colors.
* It’s not our plan. It’s all in His hands.
* Family is more important than anything else.
Those are the top things that pop into my mind on a weekly and daily basis. Most of these are really good – except I do like wearing orange . . . I am sure there are others and I’ve learned many, many other lessons from my mother. Some doing with cooking, gardening, housekeeping, child rearing, handling a high maintenance husband, and some of what not to do for your best health. All in all it’s been a good relationship and one I feel blessed to have.
As Mother’s Day approaches I am wishing my own mom an early Happy Mother’s Day and appreciating all of the well meaning help, hints, nags, aggravation and love!
Marla, I can hear her voice perfectly. We were so lucky to have her words of wisdom. I wouldn’t tell her but you look fabulous in orange!!
Growing up I also was told many of these same things and remember thinking to myself that my mom was so ” old- fashioned”. I now find myself saying many of these same things to my own children and granddaughter. Sometimes I laugh at myself when I hear my mom’s voice come out of my mouth. So sad it took so many years to realize that my mom loved us all the best way she could
God Bless your Mother and all her wonderful words of wisdom. One of her greatest accomplishments was raising 2 lovely children. She lives on through you. I’m so happy that you wrote this and that I was priveleged to read it.