"You should be in public relations." My mom always told me this while I was growing up. The funny thing about her saying that was she, nor I, had any idea what public relations was about. But, because she saw me easily make friends and noted my initiative, she thought it sounded like a perfect fit. One of my first lessons that mama is always right.
Throughout the years my mom has certainly taught me a lot. As a teenager, she would give me life advice and I always shrugged it off because what did she know. Only to figure out later that she was right. At this stage in the game as I stare 40 in the face, I've learned to listen. Here are a few things my mom has taught me over the years.
A love of reading: My mom always had my dad running out to get the newspaper. Always. And she always had a stack of books next to her bed. Not just a few books, a tower of books. And it wasn't uncommon for her to read more than three books at a time. Today, she and I enjoy a shared account on our Kindles and continuously download books and give our recommendations to each other.
Always write a thank-you note: While I may be a staunch advocate of social media, I'm also a firm believer in the power of the hand-written note. Mom would say to me, "If they took the time to buy you a gift, you can at least take the time to write them a thank you." In today's business world, handwritten notes are few and far between but those who frequently write them understand how beautiful they are.
Dress one level up: When in doubt, dress one level up. Mom always made sure I put my best foot forward when it came to clothes. For interviews, parties, church, meetings, everything, I had to always look my best. There is no second-best dressing.
Commitment through the good times and the bad: So the story goes, when my mom and dad were faced with bankruptcy during the 80s, lawyers advised them to divorce so they could salvage some of their assets. This wasn't an option for my mom... or my dad. Today, she continues in her commitment to my dad who has spent the last nine years in a nursing home. Almost every day she visits with him and he lights up as the most beautiful woman in the world walks into his room ... how I imagine it was the first time he laid eyes on her.
And last but not least, love: The greatest gift of all she has demonstrated in so many ways over the years. And believe me, I am not the easiest daughter to love. But she does. No matter all of my flaws and idiosyncrasies, my mom loves me. Unabashedly and wholeheartedly. I can share with her my fears, tears, frustrations and more but I know that no matter what, she loves me.
Thank you mom.
