Good or bad, we learn so much about life from our parents…or the people who raised us. When we’re little, our parents can do no wrong. They are heroes. What they say goes. When we grow up, we realize they were just people trying to figure life out. They could (and did) do wrong. They didn’t have all the answers. What they said shouldn’t have gone. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, isn’t it?
While I’ll never have more compassion for my parents than I do right now. I can honestly say I learned so much about life from them. In honor of Mother’s Day 2024, and the first Mother’s Day without my mom, I can’t help but reflect on some of the amazing life lessons I’ve learned from the woman who raised me.
For context, my parents divorced when I was little. My dad didn’t treat my mom how she deserved to be treated, so she decided to move on without him. One of the biggest lessons in life I’ve learned from my mom is that being independent is a blessing. While my dad was still present for my brother and me, my mom didn’t need him. She wasn’t a woman to put up with intolerable things because she “needed” a man in her life. She showed me that being independent – having her own job, being self-sufficient, and managing her money – is an essential part of life.
I never saw my mom struggle to pay bills, stress out because she didn’t have a man, or be afraid to go places on her own. She was the definition of independent and it’s because of what she went through in life before I was even a thought in her mind. Life’s circumstances forced her to take care of herself, and as a result she taught me that an independent woman is a force to be reckoned with.
As she got closer to the end of her life, she never complained, she never stressed anyone out, and she always had a smile on her face. When I was little, she wouldn’t be afraid to raise her voice, but I learned respect from her.
Another lesson in life I learned from my mom is that people remember your kindness. If there was one word I would use to describe my mom, it would be “sweet.” She was such a sweet person, a kind person. Even after she passed, people had nothing but fond, sweet memories of her and her character. She didn’t play games and she wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right, but she was always kind.
My mom taught me that people remember your kindness. They may not remember what you say but they will remember how you make them feel. As I remember my mom, I remember her sweet, caring nature and feel so blessed to have witnessed it. It’s made me a more compassionate person and reminds me to always be kind because we never know what people are going through.
Life is fleeting. We don’t know how good we have it until things change. We also don’t know how good things can and will be in the future. Making the most of every moment and doing so with grace, positivity, and compassion is what makes life worth living.
As we take this month to love on our mothers, remember they are people too; people just trying to figure this thing called life out. And, if you’re a mom trying to figure things out, I see you and I respect you. Keep going.
What life lessons have you learned from your mom? How can you take those lessons and live a better life because of them?
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Thank you for sharing these beautiful words with us about your Mother. Truly she was a remarkable woman of elegance and grace. As I sit here and reflect on my own Mother and the things she showed and taught me the greatest being “Forgiveness”. In my almost sixty-eight years I have been blessed to be on this earth, I know that Forgiveness is truly the key to unlocking all we are called to do in this life. It’s not the easiest thing to do sometimes but it is the best thing we can do for ourselves and others. I miss my Mother more thanI can put into words but I feel her presence with me everyday…she was not only my Cheerleader but anyone who came in contact with her she was remembered to share an encouraging word and prayer. She was and will ALWAY BE “MY BEST FRIEND”.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me! What a beautiful life lesson you’ve learned – forgiveness is such a crucial part of happiness in life. Blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing. Your story made me continue to dig deeper to understand who I truly am. My mother was amazing and was trying to figure it out herself. Her not having her mother to raise her had to be painful and forever having a memory of her dying on her birthday at the age of six. My mother’s life taught me gratitude and forgiveness. It’s only been two years and if I must say, I’ve been so unhappy. I’m grateful to God for having her and life. Just so sad she’s not here.
Oh Tonya, I’m so sorry you’re struggling – though, I completely understand. I have no doubt your mom would want you to be happy. I encourage you to appreciate the good times and live life as happily as you can. You two will meet again.
I love the advice.
Beautiful life lessons from your mom, so true . I can recall my mom life lessons. She as well was smart intelligent kind and did not play. A single mom who raised 7 independent children on a prayer and her mothers support
One lesson that I learned from my beloved mother that’s a constant reminder, it’s better to give than to receive. It’s an amazing feeling to give to others, whether it’s p your time or a gift. You feel so much better just for giving.
Loved this! It was exactly what I was looking how my mother was you and I are very lucky people to have had a wonderful Mother!