Having a mom who has always loved, nurtured, mentored and believed in me is an immeasurable gift. She has filled 85 years with love, laughter and beauty and thankfully has the strength to continue to live in exclamation points!!
In honor of her 85th birthday, I considered making a list of at least 85 things I’ve learned from her, but that would be a really long post. Here are 25 nuggets I carry with me gratefully.
25 Lessons from My Favorite 85 Year Old
1. Keep your priorities right. Faith, family and friends are first.
2. Beauty is often hidden. Train yourself to find it.
3. Good grammar and good grooming are ways anyone can improve themselves.
4. Don’t write something down if you would be ashamed for someone to read it.
5. Children are carriers of joy and hope. Spend time with them and you will be a carrier too.
6. Family is one of the greatest gifts of life. Make the effort to spend time together.
7. Travel is one way you can spend money and get richer.
8. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
9. Be generous. Giving is one of life’s greatest joys.
10. Though you often don’t understand God’s ways, you can always trust Him.
11. Everything’s going to be alright in the end. If it’s not alright, it’s not the end.
12. There’s a song in your heart. Sing it.
13. Act like a lady. There is never a place for rude, crude or uncouth behavior.
14. You’re stronger than you think.
15. The possibilities are endless.
16. Don’t just do what you can. Do what it takes.
17. Education is a lifetime endeavor. Never stop learning.
18. Make a list and have a plan.
19. Finish what you start.
20. Books will take you anywhere you want to go. Read everything.
21. Remember the stories of those who have gone before us. Preserve your rich heritage.
22. Voting is one of the greatest privileges of our democratic society. Even if you must vote for the lesser of 2 evils, go to the polls.
23. You don’t have to agree to get along.
24. Be gracious to everyone.
25. Love. Even when it hurts.
I loved this…especially the one about rude and uncouth behavior. How many times did I hear that?!!!
Love our heritage of love!
Blessings to you, dear cousin!
I also hear her voice in my head cautioning against anything “vulgar”, but of course with no “r” at the end. “Train them up in the way they should go and they will not depart from it.” At least not for long.
Interesting. My Father also taught me: 6, 8, 10, 17, 19, 20, and 21. The Greatest Generation’s wisdom!
Not a bit surprised to learn we were brought up hearing some of the same things. 🙂