My mother was from Germany, and she had one saying that stuck with me. When I was embarrassed to bundle up in cold weather, she'd say, "Die Kälte kennt keine Schande," meaning the cold has no shame, so neither should I in dressing warm. Pithy phrases are memorable and pack a punch!
Mother used to tell me, “Every old barn looks better with a little paint on it.” Meaning she never went out without at least her lipstick and eye brows
My mother had a brain aneurysm at age 59. She survived it, but what was more impressive was how she valiantly survived the blows life gave her after the acute event. She had what we expected to be irreversible brain damage and was in a nursing home for a year, and during that year her husband walked out on her, and she lost her home and then all of her belongings in a barn fire. When she unexpectedly "came to" she had to process all that loss, but somehow she was more at peace than she had ever been. Although the aneurysm left her with a permanently paralyzed left arm, no home, and no husband, she lived the rest of her life with compassion, kindness, and humor. Some of her corny "Betsey-isms" were "My arm's broken, but I'm not." and "I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in," and "Happiness is a full stomach and an empty bladder." I hope I will be able to accept whatever fate I may be dealt in the future with half the grace and courage she did.
My mom died almost 20 years ago and I miss her especially during the holidays. She had a lot of sayings but the one I remember the most was “ it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man than a poor man.”
These are such great chestnuts of advice, Sally. I loved your deeper interpretation of each of them and am sure your Mom would have approved. My mother loved words; she was an avid reader all her life, but I don't associate particular phrases with her, just her warmth, humor, patience, intelligence, and curiosity in everyone especially her grandchildren, for whom she had such pride. These qualities in her I cherish and seek to live them myself, as part of her legacy.
It sounds like your Mom was a wise lady. My favourite saying is the one about the man on a galloping horse. So true! Happy Thanksgiving from this Canadian!
My mom often said " By the inch it's a cinch, by the yard it's hard" Love it!!
Mom had a good one there! I’ll remember that every time I get frustrated with the process. Just take it one inch at a time ….
The world doesn’t owe you a living! (My grandfather always said, “This too shall pass.”)
Yes, I've heard that one often, and may have used it a few times on my son, too! "This too shall pass" is very valid. Brief but powerful.
My mother was from Germany, and she had one saying that stuck with me. When I was embarrassed to bundle up in cold weather, she'd say, "Die Kälte kennt keine Schande," meaning the cold has no shame, so neither should I in dressing warm. Pithy phrases are memorable and pack a punch!
You rekindle my mostly forgotten German! But I do remember a time when we thought it wasn’t cool to bundle up, we’d rather be cold to stay 😎 cool!
Mother used to tell me, “Every old barn looks better with a little paint on it.” Meaning she never went out without at least her lipstick and eye brows
That’s an old chestnut, for sure! My mom was also adamant about having her lipstick and a splash of eye shadow on for nearly all of her life.
I love your mom's sayings!
My mother had a brain aneurysm at age 59. She survived it, but what was more impressive was how she valiantly survived the blows life gave her after the acute event. She had what we expected to be irreversible brain damage and was in a nursing home for a year, and during that year her husband walked out on her, and she lost her home and then all of her belongings in a barn fire. When she unexpectedly "came to" she had to process all that loss, but somehow she was more at peace than she had ever been. Although the aneurysm left her with a permanently paralyzed left arm, no home, and no husband, she lived the rest of her life with compassion, kindness, and humor. Some of her corny "Betsey-isms" were "My arm's broken, but I'm not." and "I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in," and "Happiness is a full stomach and an empty bladder." I hope I will be able to accept whatever fate I may be dealt in the future with half the grace and courage she did.
My mom died almost 20 years ago and I miss her especially during the holidays. She had a lot of sayings but the one I remember the most was “ it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man than a poor man.”
Love this❤️
These are such great chestnuts of advice, Sally. I loved your deeper interpretation of each of them and am sure your Mom would have approved. My mother loved words; she was an avid reader all her life, but I don't associate particular phrases with her, just her warmth, humor, patience, intelligence, and curiosity in everyone especially her grandchildren, for whom she had such pride. These qualities in her I cherish and seek to live them myself, as part of her legacy.
It sounds like your Mom was a wise lady. My favourite saying is the one about the man on a galloping horse. So true! Happy Thanksgiving from this Canadian!
Happy belated Thanksgiving to you! She was old-fashioned yet insightful.