Mother's Day Part III: If My Mother, Grandmother & I Ruled the World

                 Photos & Lyrics are Great on this Mother's Day Video

Thought for the day: I've always felt that the best gifts are either ones you make (or write) for someone or the gift of spending time with someone. If you are inspired by what I have been writing in this 3 part Mother's Day series please share your stories about your mothers & grandmothers here & with your loved ones. At the end of this short blog, I will post a list of other last minute gift ideas for Mother's Day.

My 4 Generations of Mothers Many Years Ago

In my earlier posts in this series, I told you about how the world would be if my mother (Part I) or grandmother (Part II) ruled the world. Today, I'd like to add my my twist on one of the lessons my mother & grandmother taught me which might help solve problems big & small. My mother & grandmother were not the only ones who believed that, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." As a therapist, I help people express all their thoughts & feelings. You may think I was not listening to or rejected the wisdom of that saying. I actually believe that I've added my own twist to that lesson. I would suggest that, "If you can't say something nice, find a nice way to say it." 

So if my mother, grandmother & I ruled the world through the three lessons I've discussed this week, what would happen? People would encourage their children to change the world by teaching them new ways to resolve conflicts. They would not only encourage them to lower their voices, but also to find creative sensitive ("nice") ways to talk about tough topics. In addition, they would use the new technologies which my mother would have embraced on facebook, twitter, Google+  & YouTube to build a strong world family of man better equipped to resolve all conflicts.

As Mother's Day approaches, I miss my mother & grandmother, but they are with me & continue to inspire me & my children every day. How are you, your mother & grandmother changing the world?  I'd love to hear your stories, too. We all can inspire one another! Let's lead the way!

As promised, here are some last minute ideas for gifts for the mothers in your life:

If you live in or near NYC or will be visiting soon, take your Mom to the Museum of Motherhood where they celebrate Motherhood 365 days a year. Or take them on May 20 (Sun) 11-5PM 9th Annual MAMAPALOOZA Outdoor Extravaganza at Riverside Park So. NYC with Summer On The Hudson, New York (entrance at West 68th St and the Hudson River) FREE.  More

While you are in NYC you can visit the MicroMuseum as well.

You might want to inspire the women who taught you to believe in your ability to accomplish your dreams by giving them books that will inspire them. You can order one of my books that contributes 1/2 of the profits to a cause your mother supports or one that supports mothers like Enchanted Makeovers, which uses handmade projects to makeover shelters for homeless mothers & their children. There are 21 amazing NPOs benefiting from my book. Type in the name of the nonprofit to find the book that supports your cause.

Other inspiring books  & a video to choose from by authors I have met since I published my book include: The Thin Threads Series (available online & in Hallmark Stores) including one on Mothers & Grandmothers, edited by Stacey Battat,  Mother Teresa, CEO, by Ruma Bose & Kathy Eldon's award winning video about her son, Don Eldon Dying to Tell the Story [VHS]. 

If you want to read more about my grandmother's inspiring story, check out her memoir, Stored Treasures.

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

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 

Part I: How the World Would Change If My Mother Ruled the World

 

A Gift for Mother's Day

Thought for the day: Need a Mother's Day gift? This YouTube video created by ajj402 would be great for any mother. Ajj402 asks you to, "Please share this with your mothers, grandmothers, or any woman who has made an impact in your life." I hope that my 3 part blog post will inspire you to share here & with your mothers how the lessons your mother taught you would change the world. 

Part I: If My Mother Ruled the World Today, she would have the largest personal page on facebook. You may think Mark Zuckerberg invented facebook. Actually, my mother developed her own personal facebook not long after the zerox machine was invented in 1959. Her one woman social media platform was distributed manually (or should I say womanly) with zerox copies, polaroid photos, an electric typewriter, carbon paper & the US Post Office. She sent out thousands of copies of photos, articles & letters to relatives & friends. She kept everyone informed about her children, grand children, family & friends. Her pride compelled her to share their accomplishments. We neglected writing since we knew she would pass news on a regular basis. 

Electric Typewriter

My mother would embrace the new technologies & teach the world to encourage one another. She would be liking & supporting causes, sharing photos & encouraging friends, family & people she would meet online. Tune in tomorrow for how the world would be if my grandmother ruled the world today.

 How would the world be if your mother, grandmother or you ruled the world? What lessons would they want the world to know? I'd love to hear your stories.

Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 (1960's)

To be continued;
Part II- Mother's Day Series: If My Grandmother Ruled the World
Part III- Mother's Day Series: If My Grandmother, Mother and I Ruled the World.