5 Things I Learned from a Stay at Home Mom

When I was ten years old I was at my favorite summer spot, Mission Pool. I was swimming alone when I spotted a girl about my age; so I swam over and said something along the lines of, "I'm Pam, do you want to be friends?." More than forty years later she's still the girlfriend I call my best friend. Her friendship led me to meet one of the people I've admired the most, her mother. I remember the first time I met her parents. They made me feel like I was a special addition to their lives despite the fact that our late night giggling costs them many hours of sleep over the years. In more than forty years, I can't remember a time when I came to their house that I didn't see their faces light up and they were always interested in whatever was going on in my life whether I was ten years old, a teenager, their daughter's college roommate, or a grown up mom myself.

Today I attended the funeral of Gertrude Lisson which followed the funeral of her husband a short while ago. She was ready to join him, full of faith, and feeling that her life was complete. But today my bubble was burst. As I listened to what other people had to say about Mrs.Lisson I realized that she made everyone feel special. It was her special gift. She was one of the most selfless people I ever knew. So here are five things that I learned from this hard-working, kind-hearted woman:

1. Depth of character is more important than breadth of influence. She served her family and her church and did almost all of it from a modest home in midwest America but she touched many, many lives.
2. Family is a top priority but give them lots of room to pursue their own dreams.
3. Unconditional love comes when someone serves you French toast at noon after you kept them up all night.
4. Example, with kindness, is one of the most powerful forces on earth.
5. A life well-lived that serves others will have a lasting influence and be appreciated forever.

So for moms everywhere who wonder if what they are doing is important I would assure you that not only your own children but their friends are also noticing and being molded by your service, your smile, and your kind words. I'll never quilt, bake, can, or even clean like Mrs. Lisson did. She always kept kleenex and scotch tape on her at all times even at the nursing home. I came to a funeral without a tissue in my pocket. Big mistake. I shed some tears today but mostly just for how much we will all miss her as I know she has gone on to a better place and a great reward. So as we start a new year and a new decade I hope that you will love and be loved and I wish you could have had some of that French toast.