Things My Mother Taught Me

1. My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION....

“Just wait `til you father gets home!”

2. My Mother taught me about RECEIVING….

“You are going to get it when we get home!”

3. My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE…

“What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you! Don’t talk back to me!”

4. My Mother taught me LOGIC…

“If you fall out off that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”

5. My Mother taught me to FOLLOW THE RULES….

“When you move out you can do whatever you want, but while you’re living in this house, I make the rules.”

6.  My Mother taught me about STRENGTH and ENDURANCE… “I will lock the two of you in a room together and I won’t let you out until someone is bleeding.”

7. My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE…

“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.”

8. My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD…

“If you don’t pass your spelling test, you’ll never get a good job.”

9. My Mother taught me HUMOR…

“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

10. My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT…

“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

11. My Mother taught me about GENETICS…

“You’re just like your father.”

12. My Mother taught me about my ROOTS…

“Do you think you were born in a barn?”

13. My Mother taught me about WISDOM OF AGE…

“When you get to be my age, you will understand.”

14. My Mother taught me about JUSTICE…

“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you….Then you’ll see what it’s like!”

15. My Mother taught me about ECONOMICS…

“Turn off that light. Do you think we own the electric company?”

And of course her famous last words as I was leaving were “Make sure you've got clean underwear on... what if you get in an accident??”

add to a bit, but found here

For Our Mother

Growing up, some would say that we did not have a lot.

And, while we ourselves may have thought we didn’t have everything we wanted,

our mother always made sure that we had everything we needed.

We never went hungry.

We always had shoes on our feet and a shirt on our back.

And, we never, ever felt unloved

Our mother faced her share of challenges.

Some would call then obstacles; others might say roadblocks.

I would prefer to call them opportunities.

An opportunity to over come

An opportunity to exceed everyone’s expectations

An opportunity to shine.

Our mother faced every opportunity straight on.

Yes, there was fear.

And from that fear she drew strength.

And, with that strength she could move mountains.

No matter how deep the canyon.

No matter how wide the river.

No matter how high the mountain.

We always knew that our mother would be there and we always knew that we would get through.

Every challenge was met with grace and humor,

With dignity and courage.

And with strength I could only wish to possess.

Thank you for coming tonight to honor our mother.

And while we may have lost friend, our advisor, our ear to talk to and shoulder to lean on - I know somewhere, somehow, she's watching out for us all.

Leslie J L  January 28, 1943 - June 10, 2011

I love you mom, rest in peace