"Monday 5 Things" with D. Paul Graham
Monday 5 Things…..From Mom…..
A weekend of reflection about Mother’s Day has shaped today’s M5T. It’s been over a year since she passed away, but was really over 2 years before then that the wretched disease of Alzheimer’s took her mind. Today I honor an amazing woman that I called mom, and some of the things she taught me. I wish I could tell her all the things I should have when I had the opportunity.
1. Patience and Pain
Thank you for teaching me patience. To plan ahead. To recognize that everyone has a story of pain in their lives. That not all is as it seems on the surface.
2. Thumper Theory
Thank you for constantly reminding me about the “Thumper Theory” of life: “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”
3. Respect and Smiles
Thank you for being an example of being respectful to others and proving time and time again that a genuine smile costs nothing but can change someone’s day for the better.
4. Freedom and Responsibility
Thank you for allowing me the freedom to never back down from what was important to me – even when you disagreed or knew I was making a mistake. For teaching me to always take responsibility for my actions and to believe in myself even when others didn't or don't.
5. Reading and Wanderlust
Thank you for the gift of reading. For weekly trips to the library that fueled a young mind to envision what it would be like visit other lands, solve mysteries with the Hardy Boys and learn new things that my sponge like brain craved. For patiently letting me spend hours standing on a chair staring at the world maps… letting my fingers travel from country to country, sparking the wanderlust that is such a big part of me to this day.
Here’s to my mom, your mom and all the mom’s that we will encounter this week.
© 2018 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.
D. Paul Graham is passionate about people, culture, photography and business. He has embraced his wanderlust with his travels around the globe, and is at peace with his need for spirited drives in all things automotive.
You can find M5T each Monday here on www.southmag.com and by friending D. Paul Graham on Facebook. Paul is also a contributing photographer to South Magazine. His photographic work can be found on Instagram @dpgraham and at www.imageGRAHAM.com . Your feedback is always welcome. Email Paul at dpg@imagegraham.com
