5 Valuable Things Your Mother Doesn't Want You to Forget -

5 Valuable Things Your Mother Doesn’t Want You to Forget

I was rummaging around in an old trunk and found a photo of my mother. It was one she had given to her aunt so she had signed it. I stood there staring at the old photo and her familiar handwriting with tears streaming down my face…..remembering. I started thinking about the things I want my children to remember when I’m gone. Read on and see if at least some of these are things you want your children to remember too.

The good times. Every family has it’s ups and downs but I hope my children remember the times that we shared laughter. When they were all still at home we took a trip to the beach almost every year. It was quite the entourage, five children and a couple of adopted children and occasionally the family dog. I often joked that getting ready for one of those trips was like Moses trying to pack for the Israelites. Those trips were filled with love and laughter and now our adult children reminisce about those trips. There was the year of “The Stomach Virus” and the year of “The Haunted House.” Even things that weren’t funny at the moment (like the stomach virus) made for great memories. I can’t erase the bad times (like when your grandparents died) but I hope you will choose to remember the good times.
You are special. I made a habit of telling each of you that you were special (sorry kids if you didn’t know I told your siblings the same thing…you know now!) But each one of you are special for the things that make you the person you are. There are billions of people walking the face of the earth but none of them has the same talents and abilities that you do. You are a miracle made by God and given to two people who fell in love with you the instant you were conceived! Then the minute you were born those same two people loved every thing about you… from the hair on your head to the tips of your toes. The best days of my life were the day I married your dad and the days we brought each of you home. I will admit that the first night with the twins was not magical and had me doubting my ability to handle 5 children, but it all worked out and I wouldn’t trade a single sleepless night for the joy that each of you bring. When you have a bad day, or life gets you down, remember the three reasons (those are top secret-only they know those 3 reasons) you are special. No matter how old you get, that won’t change.
Where you come from. You come from hard working farmers and stay at home moms. You come from immigrants from Czechoslovakia, Greece, France and Scotland. You come from teachers, musicians, soldiers and dreamers. Lots of dreamers. Our family history is full of every sort of personality you can imagine but ultimately, we all come from God. As parents, your dad and I did our best to give each of you a faith foundation you can build on. Pass it on to your children so that one day we can all be together again forever. Like Stephen Covey said….”The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” Faith is the main thing. So don’t forget it!
Always have your siblings back. This world can be cruel and we all need people in our corner who will protect and defend us. You are bound to have disagreements from time to time (that’s normal) but don’t ever stay angry with your brother or sister. Life is short and when it comes right down to it there is nothing worth splitting up a family over. Nothing. Not money. Not fame. Nothing. My mother used to tell me that If I disobeyed her on this and fought with my brother after she was gone that she would come back and haunt us. I believed her and now I’m telling you the same thing. No family feuds. Simply not allowed or I’ll come back and haunt you!
When I’m gone… miss me but move on. When my cousin and BFF Martha was at the end of her life she told me she didn’t want her family to be devastated when she passed. I said, “Martha, there is no way we won’t be sad.” She thought about it a minute and said, “Okay, be a little sad but that’s all.” There is nothing I want more than your happiness. Life doesn’t last forever but love does. I’ll always be in your heart. So do what Martha said. Miss me a little bit but move on. Love on my grand babies and great-grandchildren. Share your memories with them and let them know I loved them….even if I never met them. I want my love for God and family to be my legacy because love can and does touch future generations. 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 was my mother’s favorite chapter and it’s mine too. Love is more powerful than anything, even death. Remember that too.