You have and will learn so many things; some will mold and form you. Others will go unnoticed and yet others will change the very fabric of your heart and soul. Life is a journey and not a destination.
Here we go …
It was a lesson and not a life sentence.
Don’t sweat the small stuff and much of it is small.
No one and I mean no one is worth years and years of tears.
You are only a victim if you choose to be one.
The longest relationship is with yourself. love and care for YOU!
Don’t buy junk, buy quality over quantity.
Real estate is always a good investment.
Not every day is going to go your way and that is okay.
Buy the dress, get the hair done and get a manicure, outside appearances will help you look and feel better inside.
Bubble baths are therapy.
Always trust your gut.
Just because someone said it doesn’t make it true.
Bad boys might be fun for a while, but they are not meant for the long term.
It’s not over until we take our last breath.
No one is coming to rescue you, you must save yourself.
Some of the most messed up people are in the “helping professions” beware.
Buy local and support the artists.
What is meant for you will find you.
Relax.
God is always with you, you are not alone.
What you learned from your first family is not love, and its ok because they taught you who and what you don’t want to be.
Go with the ones that love and support you.
You have always had everything you need, deep within you.
Life seemed so simple when I grew up, there was a code of conduct and rules that we lived by, they were just common sense. Here are the ones I remember that had a lasting impact on me.
Remember your P’s and Q’s (please and thank you)
We are NOT heating/cooling the outside world (reference to leaving doors open)
Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about
Idle time is a devil’s workshop
Clean your plate! There are starving people in the world.
What did YOU do? In reference to any time, you complained about other kids or what others did
Just because everyone else does, does that mean you have to do the same? If they jumped off a bridge, would you?
Because I said so!
If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Doesn’t leave much to the imagination! (In reference to skimpy revealing clothes)
Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
I grew up in a time and in a home where these were the lessons and the house rules. Most of these were from my parents and grandparents. They definitely formed me into the adult I am today.
Recently we met our friends Audrey and Art for breakfast on the day after Easter. We always enjoy getting together with them. During breakfast Audrey mentioned that her daughter calls her every day just to chat and catch up. When she can’t get her mother on the phone, she calls Art. Last summer when the four of us were out to dinner her daughter and boyfriend met up with us. Audrey wanted me to meet them. Our friends live in Maryland but frequent their beach house here in Delaware. Their home is perfect for when Audrey’s daughter comes to visit as they have their own private place in their home to stay. Although the daughter lives in Colorado and far from her mom, she makes the effort to stay close. All I could say and think when Audrey shared the frequent phones calls was “that is a good daughter!”
Then I started thinking about my friend Carole who passed away a few years ago and the loving mother-daughter relationship she had with her daughter Kathleen. You couldn’t be Carole’s friend without knowing and meeting Kathleen. They loved being together as they traveled together, shopped together, dined together and vacationed together. When Carole passed Kathleen said, “she was my mother, she was my best friend, and most of all we just had so much fun together!” how wonderful is that? One of the greatest gifts Carole left me is the ongoing friendship we have with her daughter and granddaughter. Kathleen is definitely the definition of “the good daughter.” And I know for a fact just how proud and how much love Carole had for Kathleen.
Then there is my neighbor Diane who recently had surgery that required a long recovery period. Her daughter came from out of state and stayed a few weeks to help her mother during her time of healing from the surgery. Diane wanted us to meet and when we did, I asked, “how long will you be staying?” Her response was “a month” and her mother was like maybe two weeks, not because she didn’t want her daughter’s company but rather that she didn’t want to disrupt her life for that long a period of time. We watched the care, concern, dog walking and more that Diane’s daughter was happy to provide to her mom. Again, another definition of what a “good daughter” looks like.
I don’t believe that moms ever expect to be on the receiving end when it comes to their daughters as most moms just want to give rather than receive. But how wonderful to witness up close and personal the loving good daughters many of my friends have and I am so thankful for the stories they share and bringing me in to witness so much love between mother and daughter.
So today we lift up all the good daughters out there as they truly are the greatest gift to their mom.
Bernadette A. Sahm 