Mom, Momma, Mommy, Ma. No matter what you call your mother, you would not be here without her (well she had a little help). As I have grown up, not that 19 can really be considered grown, I have learned that the apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree. Maybe, just maybe, that isn’t a horrible thing.
Whether moms admit to it or not, their hands are always full; driving us to and from gymnastics, taking us to Girl Scout meetings, putting up with our friends even when they can see that that “friend” is no friend. They do it all. And sadly, some have to play the dad role as well. Sometimes we really do take our mothers for granted. We don’t realize how much we need them until we are away from them. Mothers teach their daughters some vital lessons.
1. It is OK to fail.
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All through life, we are going to face trials. We will fail some tests and when that happens we have to learn to just study a bit harder next time. Sometimes we are going to do some really stupid things that will result in some bad consequences. Luckily though, when things don’t go our way, we will always have our mom to lean on.
2. Learn to make your own beliefs.
Whether it’s from deciding that you believe in Christianity, Buddhism, or nothing at all, we can only count on ourselves to decide our faith and values. Yes, our moms installed in us what they were taught, but no matter what we decide is the right belief for us, moms will always have faith in their daughters.
3. You are not perfect.
As much as we crave perfection, we know it can never be achieved. But we still obsess over it. Even during a girl's most awkward phase, moms will always say, “It is OK.” You are still beautiful. Sometimes, our moms have to yell at us in frustration saying, “You’re not perfect, get that out of your head right now.” So to all those moms out there, thanks for bringing us down from the clouds sometimes.
4. Set your standards high, and never lower them.
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You are worth much more than what that boy says you are. You are worth more than what society says. You have the right to be picky -- and moms always remind us of it. Besides, it is your life and you have to live it. If people don’t laugh at your dreams, your dreams aren’t big enough.
5. Beauty isn’t always outside, it is inside as well.
While looks do help in life, it means nothing if you aren’t a good person. Sometimes this world is so infatuated with how people look that it ignores the person inside. And that is the most important part! Moms are never wrong about that.
6. Never to rely on anyone, including a man.
All too often women end up becoming single mothers. These women are some of the strongest people. They have a kid, they have to work, and they need to maintain a social life. When crap hits the fan, these mothers have to step up to the plate. They have to rely on themselves, and not the “father.” Being a parent is the hardest job on the planet and somehow they do it all by themselves.
7. Family is important.
Whether your family is big or small they are still your family. Our moms will always show us how to put family first. Thankfully, though, in life there are rare occasions where a friend or two might practically become family. Be grateful for these people -- family by blood and family by choice.
8. Be strong and hold your head up high.
Perhaps the hardest lesson to learn is to be strong and to hold your head up. With strength come confidence. Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself because no one will be able to do it for you. Luckily, though, we inherit that from our mommies.
9. Women can do anything.
If women can carry a baby in their stomachs for nine months there is nothing that cannot be done. There have been women to lift cars off their kids. (How that happens is lost to me). Women can have any job in the world. We can do anything a man can do.
10. Independence is something to be proud of.
There will be times in life that all you want to do is go to dinner by yourself or go to the movies all alone. That is completely fine. There is nothing wrong with you. You can learn a lot about yourself doing things on your own. Go on walks, read a book, binge-watch a television series on Netflix, watch a movie that makes you cry like a baby. Just learn who you are and be proud of yourself.
There will be times while we are growing up when we will take our mothers for granted, but, honestly, that happens. We take everything for granted in our youth. So call your mom and tell her that you love her.
“My mom has always been there for me. No matter what I put her through or got myself into, she never let me down. She loved me with an unconditional love and always let me know that she loved me no matter what. If I can someday find a girl that is even half the woman my mom is, I’d be a happy guy. She always supported me. If she didn’t, then I wouldn't be at Troy, right now. She’s my best friend and I’ll always be grateful for what she’s done for me.” Justin Walker.
