Thankful for Quotes from My Mom
As we approach Thanksgiving, many of us focus on things we are thankful for. For me there’s many things – family, friends, freedom, beautiful sunrises, the sound of waves, good health. However, this year, I’ve been extra grateful for one thing.
A series of quotes from my mom.
Many of you have seen and commented on social media when these quotes are posted on our various sites on Mondays, so here is the story behind the quote cards from my mom.
My mom was a creative genius, an artist by nature and training. She had fun in her soul and she taught all of us to laugh, preferably with a slight cackle as she found humor in something wry or slightly offensive. Her art and humor were tempered by a deep soul that spoke wisdom in her often-difficult life.
When I was 24, she died very unexpectedly and suddenly from a massive heart attack. My heart was broken and the sorrow that followed was deep. As a good Scandinavian-Americans, my family didn’t share the depth of who we are with many people, but the depth of pain was still there.
20 Years Later
To this day, almost 20 years later, I have moments when I both miss her, and I’m overwhelmed by sudden sadness. For me, grief is like a long-dormant volcano. It erupts suddenly and then is quickly over, but I never quite know when an event or comment will cause the sudden eruption.
One of my favorite things that my mom left me come in the form of neon index cards with quotes written on them. She left me a collection of these profound quotes because she knew I’d appreciate them, and she knew me and she knew I’d be drawn to these same quotes. She didn’t attribute the source, but the sentiments on the cards draw me each time I see them.
A few of the quotes:
- Most people deserve each other.
- Teenagers were made so parents wouldn’t be so devastated when their children finally grew up and left home.
- You should ask God for humility, but never thank Him that you’ve obtained it.
We provide one of these quotes each Monday in their original form, my mom’s handwriting. You can see one of my favorites as the image for this week’s blog. I’m so grateful for this tangible reminder of her impact on my life.
Reflection
As I think about her quote cards, I remember that gratitude is often known most fully when we’ve known loss. Losing my mom has created a heart of gratitude for little things. For each morning’s cup of coffee, for laughter at the table. Grateful for a hand to hold when life is hard. And grateful for quote cards shared by someone who knew and loved me.
May you create memories, and maybe even some memorable family quotes, that bring you joy and gratitude this Thanksgiving!
Speaking of the holidays, I’m taking a short hiatus from our weekly blog to embrace the chaos of the season. Looking forward to catching up with you all in the New Year!
Keynote speaker, trainer, and consultant, Sarah Gibson, helps organizations leverage the power of communication, teamwork and diversity to improve engagement and transform teams. To buy her book or inquire about her speaking programs, please visit www.sarahjgibson.com.
