Seven Lessons I Learned from my Mom

I had the honour of being my mom’s maid of honour last Saturday. I am in awe of her zest for life as she is jumping into the phase of “newly wed” life all over again. This week has been a time of reflections for me. I am filled with joy for her new beginnings, but also have had moments of sadness as I will miss her. You see, she has lived with us for the last 5.5 years. She has been part of the morning rush and the evening conversations. Morning tea parties and happy hour spritzers. She helps the twins practice piano and lets Rhett play in the kitchen while she bakes. Her presence in our home was greater than I ever realized. As I reflected on this I was thinking of what I have learned from her that I hope I can pass onto my children.

1. Turn to Jesus…especially when you don’t feel like it. Whether in the dark moments of life or the highest of highs, my mom always modelled for me and reminded me to take time for the Lord and turn to Him first for wisdom, protection, and love.
2. Every little thing to me was a big thing to her. Whether celebrating a small milestone or looking for the back of an earring…my mom has always made me feel like her main priority. I want my children to know that too. I want them to know that in the small times and the big, I care about the finest of details. I pray that I will show up for them the way she shows up for me!
3. There is always time for one more hug. Before leaving the house or going to bed, my mom has always taken time for “one more hug”. She lost her dad at a young age and I think this impacted her to never want to leave someone knowing there could have been just one more hug. If you ask my children what I say when they ask for a cuddle, they would say “there is always time for a cuddle”. This is truly a testament to the fact that my mom always had time for a hug and I want my children to take that into their life too. The idea that there is always time to ensure that those around you feel loved. That is more important than any task at hand.
4. Pray with and for your children. My mom always prayed with me and I am sure I don’t even know how often she prayer FOR me. To this day she prays for protection for our whole family: “From the tip of their head to the tip of their toes, their eyes, their ears, their mouth, their nose. For their skin, and all the organs that are within. Bless and protect today please Lord”. I have adopted this and pray it with my children each day too. It is a wonderful reminder of all that can go wrong, and all we can be protected from.
5. Give graciously. My mom has always modelled serving others. She does not look to her own needs, but rather to the needs of those around her. This is something that I struggle with. I am A-type personality and I like to make sure I get everything done on my list. But thinking back on the example my mom has set I realize how often she let her agenda go to help me reach mine. Perhaps this is the best type of leader a mom can be. perhaps I could spend more time ensuring my children’s agendas are met before my own.
6. Listen more and speak less. My mom seldom had to ask me questions to hear about my life. She was just always ready to listen. I have learned even with young children how much they have to say if I just listen. Lately I have enjoyed evening chats with my one son and morning ones with the other. They have different times of the day that they wish to open up and I am learning to be ready for that and plan accordingly.
7. When all else fails…bake and sing! If someone asked me what I picture in my mind when I think of my mom, I would say it is her standing at the counter humming a tune and making muffins. She LOVES to bake and I will be forever thankful for the hours she spent teaching me all she knows and that now I can pass it along to my children. grew up to have the same passion. I love getting my children.

I hope this provides you with some heart warming inspiration on this chilly autumn day that the choices you make now truly do impact your children. They may seem insignificant. And your days may seem like ground hog day. But someday your little girls will be moms and your little boys will be dads and the choices you make now are molding who they become. So, with that said, more recipes and food related posts to come soon. Until then…go cuddle your sweet babies. They are only little for so long.