In memory of Alice May Wold Corsini (1922-2003) and wonderful mothers everywhere.
Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend, and there are lots of ways and reasons to celebrate.
Some of our mothers have passed, so we’ll be remembering them with love and missing them mightily. Some of us will celebrate our wives and the amazing mothers they are. Some of us honor women who are “like mothers” to us. Lots of us, though, can relate in some way to Abraham Lincoln’s beautiful quote: “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” It applies to mothers of all kinds.
In past years around Mother’s Day, I’ve shared a few “Things I’ve Learned from Momma.” My list is only a fraction of the wise life lessons I learned from my mother—Alice Corsini. This has always been one of my most-requested articles, and it even was featured in The Birmingham News and other publications.
Few people know true “champions” in their lives. I am lucky enough to have had a “champion” for a mother.
During her early years of marriage, Alice balanced a full-time job with family life, church activities, and social obligations—not to mention her role as a supportive wife. She did all this long before we were using the term “working mother.”
While raising two boys in Macon, Georgia, Alice was known as a gourmet cook and a talented interior decorator. She taught dental hygiene classes at the local junior college, earned a master’s degree in art and biology at Mercer University, became an accomplished artist, and worked as a dental hygienist. In her spare time, she took up tennis—at age 62—and became a competitive player at the local club.
In later life, Alice battled devastating strokes. Before her death in 2003, she always worked her way back to independence from these setbacks. She lived a life of perseverance, hope, love, and courage. Never, through all her challenges, did she ever complain; give up; or even ask, “Why me, Lord?”
In the simple act of living her life with grace, she taught me so much.
Here are a few of the best tips, ideas, and philosophies my mother passed on to me while I was growing up:
Finish what you start. Nobody is impressed with a “quitter.” We are not gauged by how many things we begin, but by our accomplishments.
Go first class and buy only the best. If you cannot afford the best, wait until you can afford it.
Always better yourself. Continue to learn, grow, and look for ways to improve yourself.
Visit the library weekly. Develop and maintain a voracious appetite for reading. Mom used to take me to the library every week. She set an example for me by checking out several books for herself on each trip.
Work hard, play hard, and live life to the fullest. Make the most of every day you are given on this earth. And while you’re at it, make someone else’s day, too.
Never give up—especially when faced with adversity. When you fall, get up and try again. Learn from your mistakes and missteps.
Tell people the truth—even if it might sting a little. This is always, always the very best policy.
Be generous to others. Most people only remember family and valued clients at Christmas. Remember to say “thank you” to all the people who help you. Alice always gave gifts at Christmas to the babysitter and to the employees at the cleaners, dentist, and drugstore. She even remembered the garbage collector.
When people are sick, down, or hurt, reach out and help them. Make the uncomfortable call to a friend after a death in the family, and take the time to say, “I’m sorry to hear about your loss. We are thinking about you and your family.” Then, don’t ask what you can do, just do something!
Save some, spend some, and live within your means. This is one of the most important lessons to teach any child.
And finally—never give up! If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And make enough to share!
On this day (and every day, really) I hope you have—and take—the opportunity to say, “Thank you, and I love you” to the mothers in your life.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the special mothers in our world!
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