I saw one of the standard Mother’s Day paeans in a newsletter the other day and was reminded how often the mushy sentiments in such articles leave a bit to be desired relative to reality. The newsletter version featured old standbys such as:<\/p>\n
My mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE<\/b> … “What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don’t talk back to me!” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION<\/b> … “Just wait until your father gets home.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me LOGIC<\/b> … “If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me ESP<\/b> … “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I don’t know when you’re cold?” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me HUMOR<\/b> … “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
But I think that some more realistic teachings can be extolled. Thus I give you …<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some of the Things I Learned From My Mother<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
My mother taught me THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE<\/b> … “Just pull up a chair, you’re always welcome to eat with us.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me THERE IS NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT<\/b> … “If you don’t hoe the weeds now, they’ll go to seed. Then you have a real problem.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me IT IS BETTER TO GIVE, BUT LEARN TO RECEIVE WITH GRACE AS WELL<\/b> … “You’ve helped us so many times, let us help you now.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me ABOUT PERSONAL HYGIENE<\/b> … “Wash under your arms! Someday you will want to lift your arms in public.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me YOU NEED NOT DISCLOSE ALL THAT YOU KNOW<\/b> … “Yes I knew you and your brother broke the door. But you already felt bad enough about it so I didn’t need to bring it up.” And you’d be amazed at all the secrets that weren’t actually a secret when you talk to your mother about those events years after the fact. {*grin*}<\/i> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My mother taught me TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY<\/b> … “People can’t help how they look, but they can change their heart. So love the heart and tolerate the rest.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In honor of mothers (and mother-in-laws) everywhere, may you all enjoy a<\/p>\n
Happy Mother’s Day<\/b><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I saw one of the standard Mother’s Day paeans in a newsletter the other day and was reminded how often the mushy sentiments in such articles leave a bit to be desired relative to reality. The newsletter version featured old standbys such as: My mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE … “What were you … Continue reading What I Learned …<\/span>