Lessons

[SistahSpeak]

Parents have the important responsibility of receiving God's creations, His children, and in our own imperfection, teaching/raising these children to be good, honest, moral, healthy, hard working, upstanding people, amongst a million other things...

What was the ONE single lesson your mother, and the ONE single less your father, taught you, directly or indirectly, that had a major impact on your life?

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For me, my father taught me, indirectly, that education is key--you are not limited to your current position, books of all kinds are your window to the world, and to other options and opportunities.

My mother, also indirectly, taught me the meaning of sacrifice. That it is very important to sacrifice for your family, but that this sacrifice can not be at the expense of loosing your SELF in the process.


What about you?

[LadyDivine]

The art of social interaction and people skills.

My dad, grandmother and great aunts were business owners. I can remember how they interacted with their customers good and bad. I learned volumes from them as well as my mother who was a homemaker and taught me how to be a "good wife."

[elmb]

I believe that the greatest gift given to me besides the foundation of having Jesus as my own personal savior is Self Esteem. I was taught this with such grace and passion. I am able to teach this to my 2 princes who will tell you in a minute they are great miracles of life destined to be great things. This is so important in the upbringing of our children knowing who they are within themselves.

[saraphen]

My mother died when I was 12 year old. But she taught me well to never let anybody make me feel inferior. In the days of Jim Crow, her children walked rather than ride in the back of the bus. If we got thirsty away from home, go home rather than drink from a "Colored" water fountain. And even in situations within the community, where we might feel "out-classed" by the kids who had ballet lessons and were members of "Jack and Jill," she made us report to her what we did to speak up for ourselves.

And Daddy, never spoke of love, but he showed me what unconditional love was. I remind my brother who is the youngest of my 4 older brothers, of the Sunday afternoon when he missed his bus back to Ft. Monmouth New Jersey from Petersburg, VA. Daddy piled us all in the car and drove...must have been 12 hours, to take Lt. Fuzz (as we like to call him) back to report on time.

[SistahSpeak]

Originally Posted by saraphen

My mother died when I was 12 year old. But she taught me well to never let anybody make me feel inferior. In the days of Jim Crow, her children walked rather than ride in the back of the bus. If we got thirsty away from home, go home rather than drink from a "Colored" water fountain. And even in situations within the community, where we might feel "out-classed" by the kids who had ballet lessons and were members of "Jack and Jill," she made us report to her what we did to speak up for ourselves.

And Daddy, never spoke of love, but he showed me what unconditional love was. I remind my brother who is the youngest of my 4 older brothers, of the Sunday afternoon when he missed his bus back to Ft. Monmouth New Jersey from Petersburg, VA. Daddy piled us all in the car and drove...must have been 12 hours, to take Lt. Fuzz (as we like to call him) back to report on time.

Thank you so much for sharing Saraphen... I really enjoyed reading your words. I wish there were more parents today, like the your parents. Your mom sounds like a wonderful woman!

[Chelbe]

My mother taught me that water can be thicker than blood. And what I mean by that is, she took me in as her own when my birth mother decided she did not feel like it. Up until the day she passed she devoted much of her time and money to raising a child that she did not have to. Then on the flip side, things became alot darker. In the end she taught me to be better than her. The last conscious thing she said to me.

[SistahSpeak]

^^I'm listening Chelbe. I feel you... In my own personal experience, there are many lessons my parents taught me by way of being opposite of what they exhibited. So I can definitely relate to you on that point.

[trinigirl]

My father taught me that land is the best investment that one can have. He always says land never burns, dies, rots it is always there.
He also taught me by his life that i have to keep my family together.
(He did not he has been married 5 times with a lottt of children as a result so his wealth is being divided and wasted)
My mother lesson was humility (I am still learning)
peace

[SistahSpeak]

Thanks for sharing Trini. Your dad was right--land is a very smart investment!

[goodcookinmama]

hum my mother showed all of us love and the best kind she taught us to never be lead but to lead and love is what its all about and family is family no matter what and most of all how to cook and she did it all with love