For the Road Ahead: Mommy Wisdom to my Baby

Hi One:

Big day. Can’t believe we’re here. I’m pretty sure it was just last week that we were on the way home from the hospital with tiny you, disappearing in an oversized car seat … and now (as you so aptly put it yesterday), you are getting “spewed out into the real world to fend for yourself.” Good thing you inherited your Dad’s sense of humor.

Given my talent for lecturing you, my need to write and the simple fact that I am, after all, the only Mom you’ve got … I thought I’d share a couple words of wisdom. Stop rolling your eyes. I promise to try to keep it short.

I’m confident there are many things you are tired of hearing me say over and over again. (I’m tired of hearing myself say them).
Top 3 Phrases We Both Hope I Never Utter Again:

1) “Take the trash out. Now.”

2) “Did you do your _____ (Algebra/English/fill in the blank)___?”

3) You: “I’m going to need some gas money.” Me: “I’m going to need you to get a job.”

I know it seems like my nagging has magnified both in volume and frequency over the last few years—but, I think that’s par for the Mom/Kid course of life. Still, I realize I could’ve done a better job at telling you those things you need to hear.

Top 3 Things I Should’ve Told You More Often:

1) You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to do. And I’m not just saying this because I’m your Mom.

2) Whenever I’m with you, there’s no place else I’d rather be. Ever.

3) In all of history, in all the galaxies, in all the worlds—there could not possibly be a Mom who is more proud of her child than I am of you. Sometimes I think to myself that you are the one thing I did right in my life … but then I realize that I didn’t do anything. You are God’s work.

Finally (and you knew that I was going to include at least a little pontification here), there are a few basic principles of life that took me decades to learn. I share them with you in the hope that you might stick these tools in your imaginary Backpack-for-Life and use them when necessary.

Top 3 Things Mama Said to Always Remember:

1) All we have is each other.
Truth is, we spend most of our life chasing stuff. Big TVs, cool cars, nice houses, great jobs. Then, one day, you wake up tired or sick or missing someone who isn’t there anymore—and you realize that you’d trade every last bit of all that stuff you’ve accumulated just to be with the people who love you—and those who bring the love out of you. Cherish them. (Even when they irritate you.)

2) Keep your feet on the ground.

There will be those times in your life when you are on top of the world and everything is going your way. You’ll feel invincible, like you can do no wrong. Caution: life is balance/ yin and yang. In those moments, you won’t have to look very far to find someone who is at the other end of the rope. Maybe it’s a co-worker, a family member or a next door neighbor who is facing a terrible tragedy or challenge. They are hanging on by their fingernails—and it’s up to you to step in and help. Right then and there. We cannot appreciate the light without knowing the dark. We are here to serve, plain and simple.

3) Give it to God. Daily.

Bottom line: there is very little in life we can control—but we keep thinking otherwise. We live in these tiny little imaginary worlds that revolve around me, myself and I. (Wrong Holy Trinity.) God’s the master designer here. It’s HIS plan … and it’s very likely that it has nothing to do with YOUR plan. But His plan includes wonderful blessings and graces that you could never, ever even conceive of—all for you. Just let go of your plan and wait for His to unfold. All He wants is to hear from you. Talk to him, daily. Tell Him thanks. And tell Him your Mommy sent you.

Finally, I’ll tell you the same thing I’ve been telling you (almost) every day since you were in preschool—because it bears repeating. If you forget everything else I tell you—please remember this one … long after I’m gone: I love you, I love you, I love you … with every fiber of my heart and soul.

-Mom