‘Max’. From the Graham archives. A contemplative moment a few months before succumbing to Alzheimer’s in Canada circa 2016. Photography by D. Paul Graham / imageGRAHAM, LLC

Monday 5 Things ….. ‘Max’ Lessons ……

Her name was Maxine.  Those closest to her called her ‘Max’.  I called her mom. She battled Alzheimer’s for two years before her passing in 2016. Each Monday after Mother’s Day, I have written about her.  I would give anything to just sit and have a cup of tea or a glass of her favorite Mateus or Drambuie and let her know just how profoundly the gifts of her lessons have impacted me. Lessons that are foundations of the man I try to be today. This morning’s M5T shares some of those lessons that I learned from Max, my mom.

1. MAX EMPATHY & COMPASSION. Perhaps one of my mom’s strongest traits and lessons she taught me was how she always tried to understand and empathize with others. She always had something good to say about everyone, choosing to see the best in all she met. Through her smile, actions, and words, she taught me how living a compassionate life positively impacts relationships.

2. MAX RESILIENCE & STRENGTH. My mom did not have an easy life. She personified resilience in the face of some terrible challenges as a child, a teenager, and an adult. It wasn’t until later in my life that she shared some of the things she had to confront growing up. She was one of the strongest people I’ve met. She taught me how to be true to myself, to persevere through tough times, to bounce back, get up again, to learn from failures, and to adapt to changes with grace and strength.

3. MAX SELFLESSNESS & SACRIFICE. Mom’s lessons of selfless love and willingness to sacrifice for our family has left an indelible impression in my life. Her lessons of the worth of recognizing and doing something about the needs of others and the fulfillment that comes from serving others, have shaped how I love, lead, and live.

4. MAX PERSEVERANCE & HARD WORK. My mom instilled in me the importance of hard work and determination. Whether through her work, running a household, or her personal passions, she always tried to do her best with honesty and integrity. She imparted on me the rewards of perseverance, the benefits of choosing discipline over the immediate, and the satisfaction of achieving goals through dedication and effort.

5. MAX UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Perhaps the most profound lesson that mom gave me was the depth of her unconditional love. Regardless of my flaws, missteps, out-right screw-ups, or achievements, my mom’s love remained unwavering and constant. Through the lens of her faith in Christ, she taught me the power of love, acceptance, and forgiveness, in nurturing meaningful relationships that I have tried to carry throughout my life.

Here’s to a week of ‘Max’ lessons, loving your own mom, and appreciating the women in your life who are moms to others.

© 2024 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 12 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T™.

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com