My Mother Was My First Teacher

Mother’s day is a time to reflect and remember all the wonderful things a mother does.

For me I remember great smells coming from the kitchen. She was the best cook around and we always found extra children at a very long table which was a gathering spot for a family of ten. There were always three vegetables, a meat, salad, homemade bread and a wonderful dessert. And, not like many families of today we ate together. Each of us had a chance to talk about our day. Our birthdays were celebrated by our mother cooking the birthday celebrant’s favorite dinner. Needless to say we had her famous fried chicken a lot.

The number one thing I remember about our mother was what a great teacher she was. In fact, she was our first teacher. On the weekends that old long dinner table served as the family desk. It is where we did our homework. She always said learning was our job Sometimes she would place an object like a vase or a lamp in the middle of the table. With pencil paper and crayons we began our adventures in art. We played an I Spy game in which each person had to give clues to something they saw in the room. The person who got it right also had to spell the object. We also played I Spy in the back of our father’s truck and we went down the road. My father had built a truck bed that had side boards and seats for all the children; eight of us five boys and three girls.

We did not have TV it was not invented yet. We did have an old cathedral shaped radio which we listen to in the evening when all the chores were done Hi Ho Silver, Name that tune, The Kate Smith show were among the family favorites.

For fun we played Chinese checkers, checkers, pickup sticks and cards. Because there were so many of us we could have our own choir. Taking care of each other was a number one rule in our house. We did the dishes together. The boys took out the trash while the girls did the sweeping and dusting. As soon as we got out of bed each morning we made it. We always hung up our clothes and helped younger ones do their chores.

There are so many things we learned with our mother’s nurturing. Let me list a few:

We learned to share with each other and our friends and neighbors.

We learned to make the most with what we had. The word improvise was an early vocabulary word for us. If we didn’t have something we made it. We grew our own food, raised chickens, and caught our own fish. Our father made our crib, carved the needle he used to knit the net and caught our fish.

We were taught good work ethics and that hard work will always show through.

As I reflect I can she my mother’s big brown smiling eyes. Together she and our dad made a house of love and dreams.

Be Careful What You Sow

We have all heard the expression:” you reap what you sow”.  I heard it from my mother and grandmother, and then I heard it in Sunday school during a bible study session. When we did not do as we were told and got into trouble we heard another expression: “you made your bed now lie in it” It means about the same thing. Watch the way you live because you will reap what you sow. there is an effect for everything you do or say and that the effort a person puts into something will be rewarded.

Look within yourself and you will see who you are. Concentrate on the positive and acknowledge the negative. Just believe in yourself and you will feel the power of your own love. When you do take action to improve or simply smile and give yourself a hug.

Real improvement begins with you. I am not saying to sacrifice the learning experiences, new technology or your responsibilities. Accept your responsibilities. And while accepting those responsibilities. Find peace; find joy in your life.

Here are seven Seeds to plant in your thoughts:

“If you plant honesty, you will reap trust”.

“If you plant goodness, you will reap friends”.

“If you plant humility, you will reap greatness”.

“If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment”.

“If you plant hard work, you will reap success”.

“If you plant happiness, you will reap success”.

So be careful what you plant now, it will determine what you will reap later.

Proud To Know you

Proud To Know You

The Professional Women’s softball season is here.  It is time for this vintage soul to say to all National Pro Fastpitch League players “ I am proud to know you “ And, yes I will take my three strikes at the plate.

You are role models for women and young girls for pursuing a career in the field of Women’s Softball. You lead the way by “doing what you love and love what you are doing.” It is through your hard work and dedication that got you to the top level of softball-the NPF. It is also a time to work as a team and show how team effort and sportsmanship are two character building skills.

This is where the important second pitch counts. As teammates you work together to define and resolve any difficulties you face together. You thrive from each other’s energies. And, you extend that energy and caring to all women. As A two time cancer survivor I am extremely proud when I see you wear those beautiful pink jerseys, pink socks and ribbons on “Pink-Out Games” I am proud to see all the events you sponsor for cancer research. It makes my heart swell when you run in a Marathon or visit young cancer victims in the hospital. You cover the backs of all women and girls by example through your exercise and staying healthy.

Pitch three- out of the park! It is an inspiration to all women by sending the message that you can be what you want to be. Softball is a way to earn an education through scholarships and playing out your dreams. Education for women is just as important to women as it is for men. It is an opportunity to grow to full potential and make a better place in the workforce for women. This is treating the whole person professionally and personally. How much better can you be by having confidence, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and a heart full of a grateful attitude? These are great experiences for all to share and know that you can be a great mother as well.

GrandmaOnDeck(Gloria Wilson)