The Villages - May 2017 - 46

MoM Knows Best

wisdoM FroM the
woMen who raised Us
It's been decades since she told you how to hold your fork, where to put your elbows and which shirt to wear to
school. Still, we recall the wisdom mom offered, and find ourselves reaffirming childhood lessons. Some Villagers
said they accidentally adopted a few "mom-isms," the tedious phrases they swore they'd never repeat: "One day
you'll thank me for this," and "because I said so." Looking back, it's undeniably clear - mom did, in fact, know
best. With that in mind, here are some maternal lessons from Villagers' own mothers.

FaMilies are
a Big deal.
Mom was big on family. Reunions
and family functions were
important. I am one of two siblings,
but both mom and dad came from
big families - eight siblings on dad's
side and six on mom's. We did a lot
of celebrating."
- Richard Duncan

it coUld Be worse.
I never understood the meaning, but
when I was growing up mom had a
phrase she would use whenever the
kids complained. "You should lose
a leg," she'd say. It took years for me
to realize the point she was making:
Things could always be worse. I
recite the phrase now as a reminder
that my little concerns aren't big
deals, really.
- Patricia Gallagher

Faith and
generosity
are virtUes.
Mom was the best.
Everyone should have a
mom like her. She was
a woman of great faith.
Generous and loving,
she was raised in the
Depression era on a dairy
farm. The family always had food to give to those
who could pay and those who couldn't. Later,
she became a decorated war nurse, earning a
bronze star from Gen. Mark Clark for her selfless
actions. She was a very special woman, mother,
cook, friend and great-grandmother. We had
some wonderful years with her.
- Jennifer Roth

Mom is 98 and still has her
fingernails and toes polished. She
always wore lipstick and took pride
in her appearance. "Dress it up; take
it out" was her motto! She's a lot of
fun, too. She recently visited us and
enjoyed some time in the water.
- Wendy Prince

MAY 2017

FeelPic/iStock/Thinkstock

always looK
yoUr Best.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - May 2017