Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

It is time to celebrate and honor our mothers who have taught us so many valuable life lessons. Here is a picture of my mother (Vernie), sister (Laura) and me. As a single parent, my mother had to overcome much adversity and make decisions that were not always popular yet she did not complain. Many women of her generation purservered through difficult situations and set great examples for their own children.

My sister and I, along with our families, took my mom out for brunch today. We played a game and everyone wrote on a piece of paper something that they had learned from their own mother. We then guessed who had said what statement. It was a simple but fun task and made Mother's Day more meaningful. As a mother, I hope that my children can look back one day and say they had learned valuable life lessons from me.

Some life lessons that my sister and I learned from our mother are listed below.

• Trust in God to lead the way
• Don't compromise your beliefs
• Work hard
• Eat as healthy as possible
• Don't feel sorry for yourself
• Put your family first
• Be kind to everyone
• Laugh even if you don't feel like it
• Especially be able to laugh at yourself

I wish all of you mothers a Happy Mother's Day!

Below is a poem that mother had put up in our house as I was growing up that I think you will enjoy.

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte