Have you ever stopped to take inventory of what you life lessons you’ve learned from your Mom?  I don’t mean the lessons where she told you “I want you to know how to do this”.  I mean the lessons that were “caught” not “taught”.

I have.  They are many.  I confess I am not as good at them as she was in doing them.  But I learned from her the most important value.

Invest in people.

My Mom was an Educator.  She taught English and Journalism and Leadership.  She inspired students to go to college; to step out of their comfort zones; to dare to go beyond what they thought they could do.

She invested in her colleagues in the same way.  She gave without asking for any favors in return.  When she was in charge as a high school principal she made sure others had opportunities to step forward in their careers.

She invested.  I watched.  I learned.

 

 

She built up her teaching staff through involvement in site and district wide professional development.  Life long learning was something she modeled and preached.

She invested.  I watched.  I learned.

 

 

My Mom loved her friends.  She invested herself in life long friendships. This particular group were friends in college. They laughed. They cried. They traveled. They remained friends to the end. The three of this group who remain all came alongside me during my time of grief.

She invested.  I watched.  I hope I have learned.

 

My Mom LOVED her grandsons.  She invested in them. Every. opportunity. she. had.  She read to them.  She played with them.  She encouraged their imaginations.  She fostered their creativity.  She taught them about far away places. She took them there.  She inspired them to be great men.

 

She invested.  I watched.  I was blessed.

 

In the desire for balance in all things, I would be remiss if I did not account for the life lessons my Mom showed me.  I learned to push past my fears and hardships to take steps forward in ways many others have not been encouraged to do in their own lives.  I definitely would not be the woman I am without the influence of my Mother.  God knew what He was about in the design of this woman who was my Mother.  He knew what I needed to be able to grow and change; to learn to be my utmost for His highest.

I am still learning in the classroom of Mom.

What about you?  What is one life lesson you’ve caught from your Mom?