Five unforgettable life lessons my mother taught me

My mother was one of the most influential people in my life. As a nurse at Putnam County Hospital in upstate New York, she worked tirelessly serving her patients day in and day out. Yet even after her most exhausting shifts, she still had plenty of love and attention for my sisters and me.

Tragically, my mother passed away at 34 when I was only 11. But even in that far-too-short timeframe, she had left an indelible impression. What she taught me in the first decade of my life shaped who I am, how I live, and how I raise my own kids.

To celebrate Mother’s Day and all you moms out there making a difference, I’d like to share five life lessons my mother taught me.

1. Life is short

Losing my mother at such a young age was heartbreaking, and I miss her to this day. But it taught me the importance of making the most of your time. Life is too unpredictable to squander precious time on things that don’t matter or to live with regrets. Focus your attention on what (and importantly) WHO matters most. Because my mother was deliberate about investing in my sisters and me, her legacy lives on through us and our own children.

2. Help others

My mother had a huge heart and the personality to match. She had a deep-rooted willingness to lend a helping hand, no matter the circumstances. We often had someone down on their luck living with us. To me, giving back and helping others is what community is all about. When we commit our time and resources to others, we strengthen the people around us while reinforcing our own sense of gratitude.

3. Live with humility

My mother always reminded my sisters and me that we were not better than anyone else. Even now, I remember her saying, “We put our pants on one leg at a time like everyone else.” Humility is an undervalued but essential quality. Humility opens us up to learning and growth. It helps us listen and engage with those who are different from us. Humility allows us to be more empathetic.

4. Do something meaningful

My mother believed in the positive impact she made daily, as a nurse, as a community leader in our town and as a parent. When her life was cut tragically short, I promised myself to use my life to do something meaningful. She’s the reason why today I am a mother of four incredible kids. She’s also why I chose a career in HR, where I get to make a difference for the people here at Intel and help shape positive change in the ways we work and thrive.

5. Work hard

My mother valued work of every kind and had a rock-solid work ethic. She expected us to work diligently, whether cleaning the bathroom or doing schoolwork. That work ethic has been ingrained in me, and I see it reflected in my own kids as they pursue their dreams.

Although she’s been gone for a long time, my mother’s legacy lives on through me, my sisters, and our children and through the many lives she touched during her 34 years.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I would love to hear some of the things that your mother has taught you—I hope you’ll comment below.

And to all you moms out there, I hope you have a joyful Mother’s Day!