Tell all Tuesday.....Favorite Teacher or Class

This may sound cheesy, but by far my favorite/best teacher was/is my Mother. She was formally educated as a teacher and taught for several years, but that could never compare to the teaching that was done in our home.

She taught me the most important lessons in life. She taught me how to treat people. My Mom is loving, friendly, engaging, and always willing to help people.

I may have mentioned before how growing up it always seemed we had someone other than immediate family living with us. We had several exchange students, relatives, refugees, unwed mothers, and complete strangers in and out of our home.

She treats everyone with respect and can probably remember the name of everyone she has ever met. My Mom makes everyone feel like her friend, and truly considers all people she interacts with as such. I find myself striking up conversation with people I am in line with at the store, airport, etc. That is just like my Mother. She is always genuinely interested in the person she is talking to. I wish I was like her in more ways that just being a "talker".

My Mom (and Dad of course) taught us that experiences are more important than things. My parents worked hard to get us experiences in life that would teach us forever, rather than buy us things that wouldn't last. I was able to be in commercials, print ads, movies, serve as a Senate Page in Washington D.C. for a semester in High School, go on Study Abroad, and many other things because of my Mothers diligence in seeking out opportunities.

We had weekly "family council" and I was pretty much in charge of buying all my wants by age 12. I was 14 when I got my first "real" job other than babysitting. My Mom always made me feel capable and let me figure things out for myself.

I was always encouraged to speak my mind, and respect others for their different opinions. This has served me well in the sense that I LOVE people who are different from me. I have to remember sometimes though that not all people are so eager to hear opinions that are different from theirs. I'm sure I've offended people (unintentionally) by my eagerness to engage in what I consider stimulating conversation.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. Here are some real pictures to enjoy!

This is the first time my older sisters saw me in the Hospital right after I was born. I LOVE this picture. We are all gazing so intently at each other. My Mom made us feel so special and like we could do ANYTHING.

This picture was taken at girls camp when I was in High School. We had all braided our hair and my Mom was such a good sport she let us try to braid her very short hair. This too is one of my favorite pictures because this is how my my Mom ALWAYS looks at me. (or at least that how I feel)

I still have so much to learn about life, being a mother, and a good person, but the lessons my Mother taught me have given me the best foundation anyone could ask for.

There are many things we learn in school and throughout life, but the lessons taught to me by my Mother are the ones that endure forever.