10 Things I learned from my Mother

This photo is of my mother holding me in Beaver, Utah when I was about 1 yr. old
10 on Tuesday:
This list is of things my mom has taught me and I have yet to completely learn and master as she has.

1. Value Motherhood. My mom has a college education and numerous talents, abilities, and interests and has always made motherhood her #1 priority. Even when times were less than easy financially, she was committed to being home with her kids.

2. Pursue your interests and develop your talents. She was always learning about and trying new things. She wasn't afraid to venture into unusual hobbies--like taxidermy?!! She encouraged us by enrolling us in dance, piano, art lessons, viola, community classes, skiing, etc.

3. Serve others. I don't think I appreciated how much she sacrificed for us until I was grown, but I know that my mother puts a great importance on serving her family and others.

4. Appreciating the cultural arts. She was interested in plays, ballet, musical performances, home shows, art exhibits, and more, and was frequently purchasing tickets and taking us to these events.

5. Manners. While I certainly have a long way to go, I remember her having etiquette dinners with our family and her training on how to set a table properly, what Emily Post would suggest, etc. I am grateful for this knowledge.

6. Proper grammar and punctuation. I definitely have a long way to go on this. I am still 'taught' frequently on how to correct my mistakes and welcome any teaching she can give me. I know if I ever have a question aboout the proper use of a word, or need an expert editor, she is the best person to consult.

7. Try new foods. My mom taught me to be adventurous in trying and appreciating different cuisines.

8. Appreciate different cultures. Since my mom grew up living and traveling the globe with her family, she appreciated and was interested in travel, and various cultures. She has always tried to take our family to as many places as she could talk my dad into, and when there we were taught about the histories and cultures of the places we went. She still encourages us to travel and experience the diversity of the planet.

9. The importance of family traditions. I am grateful for the traditions that were a part of my life as a child that I have carried on to my family. I have learned the importance of establishing and maintaining our own traditions.

10. Family History. My mom is the quintessential genealogist. She loves searching our family history and preserving our current history as we are making it. She has always been this way. I hope I can live up to her example.