Wisdom from my Parents

My life has not always been a fairytale perfect story.  Like every one of us, there have been good times and bad times and those times that crush you and you have to climb back out.  I choose not to spend a lot of time reliving those.  Instead, I like to focus on all the ways I have been blessed in the span of my years. 

I am incredibly thankful for the parents who gave me life.  They often referred to me as their “happy accident”.  I had two older sisters and they did not plan to have a third. My dad might have wished for a couple strong sons to help with all the ranch work, but instead he got three girls.  We participated in chores, chased cows around, and even stacked hay bales at harvest time.  My parents were not perfect, but it was a pretty great life growing up.  I’m so grateful now for our country life and for how hard they worked to make that happen for us.  

Recently I read something that started me thinking about some of the life lessons I learned from my parents that I have carried into adulthood.  Just by the nature of nurture, I’m sure I’ve intentionally or unintentionally passed some of them on to my own kids. I’m at an age now that I am beginning to realize that I won’t always remember everything, so I thought I’d document a few of the gems:

• ·       If you can’t drink coffee black, you shouldn’t drink it at all.
• ·       Always look down when you walk.  You never know what you might step in or on.
• ·       Always keep your gas tank at least half full and a shovel in your trunk.
• ·       A little hard work never hurt anyone.
• ·       You don’t have to clean your plate, but you have to try everything.
• ·       Don’t jump in the river; people drown in there.  
• ·       You may not think so, but I know where you are at all times. 
• ·       Don’t talk too long on the phone, it’s a party line. 
• ·       Don’t spend money if you don’t have it to spend. 
• ·       Don’t hide snacks under your bed; they attract mice.
• ·       I hope you end up with a child just like you (this was not a compliment).
• ·       Faith is important and prayers get answered. 
• ·       You can always ask for help and you can always come home.

I am very aware that not everyone had parents like mine.  There was never a moment in my life that I questioned their love and support.  That life blessing shaped who I am today.  I hope my kids know that same blessing. 

Author note:  I would love to hear bits of wisdom from other people’s parents.  Leave a comment!