The Important Things Mom Taught Me

There’s no doubt about it—our parents and parent-like figures in our lives have a great impact on the people we become. Their words and actions instill our core values and offer our first glimpses into the world of adulthood. Whether it was a deeply philosophical life lesson or just a loving reminder to appreciate the little things, you’ll always remember the pearls of wisdom your mother imparted upon you.

In the spirit of sharing and appreciating moms everywhere, here are some great life lessons that our American Greetings associates’ moms taught us.

“When we were kids-- running around with sticks, jumping off the top of the slide, rough housing—my mom would always say, ‘It’s only funny until someone gets hurt.’ It wasn’t until I was grown that I realized that for adults, it applied to trying to be funny and hurting feelings in the process. It’s been a lot of years, but I can still hear her voice saying it. And then I try to be a nicer person.” – Sheila C, Music

“Don’t just follow your dreams… Lead them!” – Vince G, Manufacturing/Bardstown

“The best advice my mom ever gave me was learn to do things for yourself then you won’t spend time waiting for somebody else to do them for you.” Cheryl H, Accounting

“If you can’t change something, change the way you think about it .” – Laurie F, Planning

“During my freshman year of high school, my mom gave me this piece of advice that even then, at the age of fourteen, really stuck with me, ‘You have your whole life to be an adult, to do adult things and have adult experiences. For now, just enjoy being a kid. You’ll thank me later.’ And she was right: I did .” – Maria S, Editorial

“Life isn’t fair ’. It always sounded harsh to me, and as a child I would tell her, ‘Life would be fair if you made it fair.’ As a child, fair meant getting dessert or new clothes, but as an adult it has an entirely different meaning. I realize now that it meant doing the best with what was dealt to you and not being envious of what others have because they may be envious of what you have.” – Elizabeth B, Card Planning

Wishing moms everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day… From our American Greetings family to yours.