Don't wish your life away
As a child growing fast, like all of us try to do, my mom would say to me and to my brother that we shouldn't wish our lives away by wishing we were older. I can remember saying to her I wish I was sixteen so that I could get my license and she would say you'll get there soon enough, stop wishing your life away. The next thing I knew I was driving. Then, I wished I was 21 so I could really be an adult and go out on the town with friends, my mom again said stop wishing your life away it will get here fast enough. The next thing I know I'm 21 and enjoying my adulthood. Now that I'm 34 I find myself saying the same thing to my daughter, I just hope she listens and is not in a big hurry to grow up. I would like to thank my mom for her loving words of advice, because now that I'm older I had wished I'd had listen to her about my life going by fast enough and spent a little more time enjoying the now. Love you, MOM!
--Melissa Dawson. East Liverpool, Ohio

Strength and tenderness
Say hello in there, appreciate others, especially elderly people. My Mom is the strongest person I've ever known, but it is her tenderness that is amazing. She even makes the "Tasmanian Devil" that my father can be, turn into something a little calmer. :) One thing that she and my father have always encouraged is to say hello in there to those who are lonely, especially the elderly. Growing up, we were taught that not everyone has someone. Living in a town of mostly retirees my Mom made sure, especially during the holidays, that those who were alone had a place to be. She made them feel welcome and cared for. She taught me that if you see them drop something, help them pick it up. If something is out of reach, bring it down for them. If they want to share a story, make sure to listen because it is something they need to share and something that may change your life. Thank you Mom for teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of life, no matter how a body ages, the spirit stays forever young.
--Maggie DuBose, Delray Beach, Fla.

Love learning
I could write a book about all the lessons my mother taught me, but I'll share a few that I hold most dear. One of her mottos was "always have a love for learning". A master at multi-tasking, she managed to complete her Bachelor's Degree while raising four children and began her teaching career at the age of 44. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in her late 50's. She also taught me acceptance. It didn't matter if someone was black, white, gay or straight. She treated everyone with warmth and respect. She encouraged individuality and never questioned my decision to be childfree. She passed along her love of the fine arts. She was an accomplished classical pianist and enjoyed many other types of music as well. I can remember being a bit disappointed when my father bought the Beatles "White Album" for her instead of my brothers and me. She was also a stickler for good skin care and staying out of the sun. By following her advice, I've been told that I look years younger than my age. She maintained a youthful spirit into her golden years. She was a brilliant, beautiful and loving person. I miss her more than words can say.
--Mary, Wisconsin

Be yourself
As a child and young adult I was shy, taller than most girls, and unsure of myself except when it came to sports and music. I truly enjoyed books, thinking and dreaming, art, writing, and building projects all things that require alone planning time, and are in fact my strong points. As a child I was called "stuck-up" something that hurt a great deal since being a thoughtful dreamer I dearly valued people. As an adult I have been called "aloof", but I would say reserved. A term I consider a compliment, as my mother taught me to "be myself, don't worry about what others who do not value you think of you." I like who I am and I have MOM to thank. Thank you Gerry Beresford Hemphill.
--Lee Weaver, Casa Grande, Ariz.

Imagine it and it can happen
What stands out for me is when I relapsed on crack and alcohol after 3 year of sobriety. My mom found me on the streets homeless, dirty, hungry and close to death and believing I will never be sober again, she told me something so simple that I will never forget. She said "You did it once, you can do it again, all you have to do is imagine yourself being clean and sober, if you can do that it will happen." My mom always made me believe I can do anything. On that day I began to believe. That was in 1993. This July 2005 I will be celebrating 12 years of sobriety. I am a outreach counselor sharing me mothers simple message to all those who are still sick and suffering on the streets. I love you mom. I bet heaven is a much better place with you their. Oh great! Now I'm in tears.
--Eddie D. Utica, New York, N.Y.

Helping everyone
I was raised by my grama and so this is dedicated to her for all the wonderful things she did. Although poor, she never let us know it by the way she would help people who came to our house asking for water. We lived close to the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas and we saw many people enter the States to try and make a better life for themselves and their families. My grama not only gave them water and food but made sure they always took a little extra for the road. She always told me that it might be Jesus in disguise and to never say no to someone who asked for food. So this goes to my special angel and to the angel of all those whom she helped. My grama Magdalena.
--Juanita Silvas, Canutillo, Texas

Wise advice
My mother gave me two very valuable pieces of advice. First, never marry a man who is not as smart as you are or you will spend the rest of your life pretending to be dumb. Second, never pass up the opportunity to use the bathroom or eat something. You never know when you will get another chance. Both pieces of advice have served me well!
--Kit Santiago, Grants Pass, Ore.

Don't sweat it
My mother taught me many valuable lessons, but the one that I remember the most is "don't sweat the small stuff". She would tell me, "Who cares if your child is wearing diapers at three, or drinking a bottle at two, or still wanting a pacifier at two?" She told me by the time they get into school, they all are out of diapers, don't drink bottles or suck on their pacifiers, she said it just doesn't matter. As a mother of four I learned to follow that rule, it takes a lot of pressure off of your children and the parents!!! Mom has been gone for a long time and I miss her every day. Thanks Mom for all of your wisdom!!
--Jan Martino, Homer Glen, Ill.

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