Happy Birthday Mom: 5 Life Lessons I Learned From My Mother 

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Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday mom, I love you and I miss you, happy birthday to you.

I read a quote recently, “If I turn into my mother, or even half the woman she is, I’ll consider my life a successful one.” I could not agree more. My mother is an amazing woman and I am blessed to have her not only for a mother but as a friend too.

5 Life Lessons I Learned From My Mother

1.Be Yourself

My mother is fun, and funny and goofy, but she is also fiercely loyal and protective of her kids and her family. She’s walked 60 miles in 3 days, in the summer heat, to raise money for breast cancer, a disease that she fought at the age of 36, and beat. She’s strapped on ski’s for the first time at the age of 60 to take her granddaughter out for the day. Her grandchildren bring out the child in her and her time with them is spent camping, surfing, swimming, jumping in the ocean, sitting up at night watching movies and laughing at silly jokes, going on adventures and running herself ragged and then popping up in the early morning to do it all again. She has managed a fishery, been a dental assistant, returned to college to finish her degree at 40, and has run a successful business since then. My mom lives life on her own terms and it has taught us to do the same, she has never let her age hold her back or dim her light and spirit. 

2. You can do anything.

My mom always told me I could do or be anything I wanted to be and the reason was because that is how she lived her life. My mom has been a “plumber”, a “gardener”, a “mason”, a “carpenter” as well as every other thing she put her mind to and she has taught me that where there is a will there is a way, that and YouTube. I have tackled projects I never would have before simply because my mom raised me with the confidence to try, I’ve torn out tile and laid a hard wood floor, I’ve fixed plumbing leaks and made a “French drain.”When I thought I wanted to be an archeologist she said great and she even took a few classes with me, when I said I wanted to travel the world she packed my bag, when I wanted to give up and quit because it seemed too hard she sat up with me while I studied to take my Master’s exams. You can do anything, if you put your mind to it, and if it doesn’t work out at least you tried.

3. Always say yes to an adventure.

My mom is up for anything at anytime. We’ve gone on a 3 week walking trip in England and Scotland. Spent weeks together on adventures traveling France, Belgium, Amsterdam and Italy eating every sweet treat in sight and visiting every museum in the guide book. Her zest for life is contagious and her enthuasium for anything and everything spurs me to try things that I would never do.

4. Love and do not be afraid to show it or say it.

My mom has always make me feel special and loved no matter where I am. As a child she showered us with love and made every house a home which was a challenge because we moved every 2 years for my dads job. I remember ordinary days that seemed like holidays and holidays that were and still are magical. Before text messaging my mom would send snail mail, and leave notes in my car cheering me on or leaving an encouraging message. Now she sends me texts, “blast from the past” photos of our adventures traveling and simple “I love you” messages. We end ever call with an I love you and every visit with the same. There has never been a day in my life that I did not feel special and loved and I thank God I have been blessed in that way.

5. Family is the most important thing in your life.

Family is always there for you, you might not always get along, or agree on things but at the end of the day your family is the greatest gift in your life. They provide you with support, love, hope, comfort, encouragement and more. They offer kind words, a shoulder to cry on, unconditional love, shared memories good and bad, adventures, and more.

Happy birthday mom, I love you and I miss you. When I see you at Thanksgiving we will celebrate both of our birthdays together and I will have your favorite cake waiting for you.

Have a great day friends!