You probably know by now that Mother’s Day is Sunday. Whether your mother has died or is still living, this day brings tremendous memories of growing up and all that she did for you.
My friends have recently shared with me wonderful thoughts about mothers and say much that I remember about my mother. Now I want to share a few of those with you and I’m sure it will jog some of your memories, too. Here’s a tribute to our mothers.
Things my mother taught me:
My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done. “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”
My mother taught me religion. “You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”
My mother taught me logic. “If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”
My mother taught me about contortionism. “Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”
My mother taught me about stamina. “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”
My mother taught me about hypocrisy. “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”
My mother taught me medical science. “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”
My mother taught me about my roots. “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”
Mom’s favorite sayings:
What part of no don’t you understand?
I don’t care who started it.
Wait until your father gets home.
No one said life was fair.
Beds are for sleeping, not jumping.
Eat your vegetables.
Because I said so, that’s why.
Then there’s the mom test. Here’s the mom’s story:
“I was walking with my four-year-old daughter. She picked something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and asked her not to do that. She asked why? I said, because it’s been on the ground and you don’t know where it’s been, it’s dirty and it probably has germs.”
At this point her daughter looked at her with total admiration and said, “Mom how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart.” The mom quickly replied, “All moms know this stuff, it’s on the mom test. You have to know it or they don’t let you be a mom.”
They walked along in silence for a few minutes and the little girl said, “Oh, I get it! If you don’t pass the test you have to be the dad. Exactly, the mom replied.”
More good thoughts:
“Your mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street. She is the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself. She is the cool hand on your brow when you were not feeling well. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep and the colors of the rainbow. She is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. She is the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, and your first friend, even your first kiss.”
And finally, this:
“My mom made me laugh, made me cry, wiped my tears, hugged me tight, watched me succeed, saw me fail, cheered me on, kept me going strong, and drove me crazy. Moms are the promise from God that you will have a friend forever!”
(Melanie Behrens – melb@marysvillejt.com)