Lessons from mom

I’ve blogged a few times about the life lessons my children have taught me, but in celebration of Mother’s Day I thought I would join the masses and write about some of the things my mom has taught me over the years.

1) We all have it in us to be innovators – especially when small, exhausted children are involved.

If you were to stroll down the feeding aisle at the local Wal-Mart, Target, or other large discount retail store, you would be amazed at the sheer variety of products offered, all designed to somehow get liquid into a toddler’s belly without getting a drop on the floor. I’ve seen cups with weighted straws, cups designed to feel like a baby’s bottle, and cups that look like a more traditional plastic cup but have a rubber seal and channel grooves built-in.

I’ve bought nearly a dozen different variations, and yet my youngest refuses all but two.

2) Even the most intrepid explorers make use of local guides

As a child I once became separated from my family while visiting a retired battleship.  As a former testament to military organization and efficiency you might not think there were very many nooks and crannies available to those on a tour, but I must have found them all. Luckily for me three elder ladies saw the panicked look on my face and helped me navigate the ship until I could find the rest of my group. To this day I consider myself directionally impaired.

I will boldly go into the unknown provided I have done some homework. I have to bring a GPS unit, a printed map, and my phone with me whenever venturing some place new.

3) Whether you grow until your fit the suit, or find a way to make the suit fit you, anyone can reach the stars

One of my favorite jokes goes like this: The optimist sees the cup as being half full. The pessimist sees it as being half empty. The engineer sees the glass as being twice as big as it needs to be.

There are several females in my family and all of us were regularly exposed to science and math. I liked to break things into their components and attempt to rebuild them. I enjoyed things like space, math, and computer programming. Engineering seemed an appropriate choice for me.

I didn’t learn about things like gender preference for career selection until my school began bringing in various community speakers who gave talks about why females could be anything they wanted to be. Until that moment, I didn’t realize that others hadn’t already learned that message.

4) Embrace the changes in your life…

I’ve written before about the mysterious person in my office who posts motivational quotes on the wall. This month the quote is by John Wooden “Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.”

My parents were convinced I was going to be a boy only to learn the day I was born that another girl would be coming home. Neither loved me any less. Years later I dreamed of having my own girls, but instead brought home two beautiful boys. I don’t think either my mom nor I would have had it any other way.

5) …But never forget the constants

My mom will likely be the first one to read this. I had a very difficult time coming up with an anecdote honoring my mom. She has been involved in so many areas of my life that it was hard to feature just one story that I felt would adequately paint a picture of her to the world. I am extremely lucky to have her. Happy Mother’s Day.