Misha Crews

Today would have been my mother’s seventy-third birthday, and in her honor, I want to share a very few of the very many lessons she taught me.

Eat your vegetables.

It might sound simple, but my mom always made sure I had something green to eat every day. She taught me to love veggies at an early age, and that’s always served me well. If she were here right now, she would tell you to eat your vegetables.

Work before you play.

As a single parent and a small business owner, my mother was all about gettin’ it done. She worked harder than anyone I’ve ever met, and she tried to instill that same work ethic in me. Unfortunately for both of us, I was born on the lazy side of the gene pool, and I still tend to play until I absolutely, positively, have to work. But I appreciate the lesson, and I can, on occasion, muster her tenacity and drive to make things happen.

See beauty everywhere.

I remember when I was young we were driving through the city. There was heavy traffic, and the car stopped next to an empty lot. The ground was scrubby and unkempt, with litter scattered in the corners. My Mom looked over at it and said, “Look at how the sunlight is hitting those wild violets. That’s really pretty.” It was an unintentional lesson that I’ve never forgotten: see beauty everywhere.

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Thanks for letting me share. What are some lessons that your mother (or any maternal figure) taught you?