The world needs more moms. Even before my conversion to the faith I was acutely aware of the multitude of ways, big and small, that my mom was lovingly shaping my life for the better. For many years now I’ve aspired to be just like her. Here are some of the life changing mommisms that guided me to the beautiful life I have today.

• Pajamas are for sleeping – These were words instilled in my sister and I since before we were old enough to dress ourselves. There’s an appropriate dress code for every occasion and, unless it was pajama day at school, we were always properly attired when stepping out our front door. During college and amid long nights of intense study my sister even went so far as to sleep in her outfit for the next day to ensure she was dressed for class. Too often people underestimate the power of looking the part when heading out into the world to do something productive.
• Never show up to a party empty handed – Good manners are so frequently under valued in our modern world but when trying to make friends it’s polite to bring something to share. A six pack of beer or some tasty baked goods are my usual go to’s. Even going to family dinners I always ask what I can bring. It’s a gesture of gratitude to your host who has gone to all the trouble of opening their home to you. 
• If you say no they’ll stop inviting you – These words maintained permanent residence in my brain during my first two years in Indiana. I was new to the area, had no family nearby, was incredibly shy and in desperate need of friends. Saying yes to social gatherings with people I knew little or not at all was, and often still is, distinctly uncomfortable. However, thanks to my mom, my fear of not receiving an invitation ultimately overcame my social anxiety. 
• Do it right now – Though I’ve been tempted to roll my eyes once or twice upon hearing this, there’s no denying that it’s often been just the push I needed. One notable instance was when my mom was encouraging me to start house shopping during the height of covid lockdowns. An argument could be made that this mommy advice got me my first house. Over the years it’s also come with some parental tough love at times when I needed a firm nudge in the right direction.
• I’ll pray for you – This particular mommism doesn’t come in the form of advice and so it sometimes gets forgotten on my list of mommy quotes. However, in recent years I’ve come to realize it’s one of the best things she’s ever said to me. This is a promise which I know will be kept. With four little words my mom expresses the ultimate motherly love, entrusting her child to God. Although our prayers are often answered in the most unexpected ways, no prayer is left unanswered and so there is no greater comfort than to know that God hears all my mom’s prayers.