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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Mother's Day Part II: How the World Would Change If My Grandmother Ruled the World

Thought for the day: Here's another video that any mother would be happy to receive as a gift on Mother's Day. If you went back to just before you had your first child what would you tell yourself?

Yesterday, I gave a glimpse of what the world would be like if my mother ruled the world. Today, I'd like to tell you what the world would be like if my grandmother was in charge. Whenever my brothers & I would start to argue, my grandmother would say, "Shush, lower your voices." Somehow, magically, we would quiet down & she'd help make the argument would disappear. 

Speak Softly Listen More Than You Speak
How she raised 4 grandchildren & never yelled still amazes me. I only remember one time when she got angry with me. I accompanied her to a family gathering in Atlantic City in the winter. I was a petite 6 or 7 year old. From the airplane, I could see there was snow on the ground. Having grown up in Houston, Texas, it was the first time I ever saw real snow. As we left the airport, I was so excited that I tried to walk on a pile of snow by the sidewalk. I ended up waist deep in wet snow! My grandmother did not realize I thought snow was hard & would support me like in the movies! I believe it was the only time I remember her raising her voice. 

My grandmother wouldn't rule the world, the world would follow her like the pied piper. She would teach people how to resolve conflicts by lowering their voices, talking out differences & simply treating people with love & patience.


Tomorrow there will be a third & final Mother's Day segment. In the meantime, I would love to hear your stories about how your mothers & grandmothers would change the world. 

My grandmother and her inspirational life is now available as a book: Stored Treasures, A Memoir.  

Look for Part III of the Mother's Day series, If Mother's Rule the World 

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Simply beautifully written with wisdom and insight!

Grand Mothers and Mothers were and are the very foundation for who and what we are today.

If women were in charge of this world we would certainly see a more compassionate society.

Happy Mothers Day <3


Jackie Bigford

Barbara Lavi said...

Thank you Jackie. I agree we need to teach mankind more compassionate ways of working together. As women take on more & more leadership roles in society we will see those changes!