I have reason to reflect today this December, 25th 2014. I was trying to decide how our good habits and qualities of character are formed. As a narcissistic young man I thought I created all the good in me..LOL. As I’ve got older I realize there is nothing innate about any good qualities I process. To the contrary I realize I am a lifelong work in progress. I am prone to mistakes and always seem to fall short of perfection. Leading me to the conclusion I must have learned any good character from a few great examples. One great example is my hard working father who never asked for anything, however always went to work every single day and provided shelter, food and clothing for Mom, me and my brothers and sister. Hard work is a habit for me seemingly innate, however I know now it was taught to me though dad’s example. Dad also taught me a man or woman should read to expand their knowledge and that education is never wasted. An educated person leads a more enriched life he would say. Dad taught me by many examples that a man can be kind in manner without being weak. These are just a couple examples of Dad’s positive influence. To be brutally clear my introspection today is driven by the fact that my Mother on this Christmas day has passed away. Many great things can be said about her, to list only a few. She clearly illustrated what a smart, strong independent woman really is. She showed that being a stay at home mom is a choice, however only one of endless choices. She taught me that giving is always better than receiving. And to this day I can’t donate to charity or help a friend without thinking about her great examples from my childhood. She taught me that prejudice was a horrible thing and to embrace the diversity this world has to offer. To show respect to all people you meet even if not returned in kind. To believe that my life is my own and know one else’s, even in her last days she proved this by example. Choosing to go into hospice care rather than be subjected to extended months or years of no quality of life. She was stubborn as the day was long and some say that trait was also passed to me. Perhaps they are right, however at times this trait has served me well. To be honest sometimes stubbornness served me not as well..LOL. She taught me that no matter how painful the truth was it is always the best course of action. She had such strength even in her last days. When I would ask her if she was in pain or uncomfortable, her reply was always the same, “No I am okay”. This prose is celebration of her life, however much she is missed. Her legacy will endure and live on, because great examples are never lost, just sometimes unheeded. She taught me to fight and to also accept my failures, however to never give up. It’s taken me years to figure out I should surround myself with people of quality, to learn from their great examples. My wife is such a person of quality who has enriched me and helped me to grow. Yet another person providing great examples for the template of my life. Mom taught me to continue to grow and to never give in or give up. To strive to be a great man and to accept when I fail has being human. To not judge nor be judged. My mother would be the first to tell you she wasn’t a saint, and she wasn’t. But she sure as hell was a great example and I love and miss her.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 01:41:45 +0000
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