It’s that time of year to reflect on all the ways mothers influence our lives. We asked our readers about the most important life lessons their mothers have taught them. From how to be independent to the rewards of hard work to enjoying a road trip to Burning Man, here are some of their stories.
The best piece of advice I use from my mother is to always say yes to an invitation out. Even if you are about to make supper put it away and join your friends. Company with people who want to share time with you is a gift. I live by her rule of spontaneity and have been fortunate to be a guest to events I had not anticipated, shared meals and unexpected highlights of my day. Her advice has proved to me the essence of living life and with that in mind has prompted me to extend that same invitation to a friend and make their day. At 90 years old and married to my father for almost 69 years my mother still practices her own advice.
-Rhonda Long, London, Ont.
Driving across America taking my mom to Burning Man: If I can pull any advice or lessons from the experience, it would be to include your parents in activities you might not typically think to include them in. Not everyone’s parents are going to be up for something as crazy as Burning Man, but I think many parents would love the opportunity to be included in some of their young adult activities. A playful parent/child relationship doesn’t have to end with adolescence. With an open mind, the sky is the limit. Who knows what amazing experiences await you?
-Aaron Neilson-Belman, Toronto
My mom was born on a farm in rural Saskatchewan in 1909, where hard work was essential to survival in a harsh unforgiving landscape. She and her sisters moved to town to complete high school. She taught in the era of one-room schools before moving to Flin Flon in 1935. She married, raised two kids and continued to teach. She never drove, but always renewed her licence “just in case.” Fiercely independent, she taught me that if you want something done, you might as well do it yourself!
-John Scott, Brandon
I was fortunate to travel with my mom at a young age and experience various cultures first hand. Through these experiences I learned that curiosity is essential, ignorance is not bliss, and that compassion is everything. Our mom encouraged us to be adventurous, see the world, and to realize that life is not about material possessions but about building memories. She also taught us the innocence and unconditional love of animals. This love for animals may not have turned out in her favour, since she is now the proud owner of several grand-dogs.
-Justine Paquette, Toronto
My mom, Sol, moved to Canada from the Philippines by herself over 30 years ago to take care of her family. Her calloused hands and humble heart brought not only my dad but our entire extended family to Canada. I was raised to work hard at whatever I wanted to do. I picked a career in communications and she was at every graduation ceremony and milestone. She said prayers before every job interview and beams with joy at every success.
-Kristine Rimando Galvan, Toronto
Some of my earliest memories are of mom sitting on our carpeted living room floor with the Kingston Whig-Standard spread open before her. I took to lying down with my chin in my hands, following her finger along as she read aloud the words in the paper – news stories, features, letters to the editor, birth and death notices. Being a bargain hunter, she also read pretty much every single advertisement. We didn’t have junior or senior kindergarten in our school board back then, but thanks to the time spent with my mother, I started Grade 1 able to read far better than most kids. Mom gave me an early love of language, reading, writing and news that later led me to a degree in journalism – and a career writing advertising.
-Don Masters, Ottawa