What My Mom Taught Me in Her 99 Years of Life

My mom recently passed away at the age of 99.

I have been reflecting on why she was one of the most influential people in my life and the impact she had on so many others, reflected by the 200 plus of her family that came from eight states, to honor her at her funeral.

I have always seen my mom as a very classy woman! Despite adversity, She chose to live anchored into three foundational identities that never diminished but only became stronger over time.

1-Find joy in all you do, even in adversity and setbacks.

2-People are more important than things. How you see them will be how you walk with them.

3-Choose to walk with God, not away from Him.

As a child, I saw these virtues as my mom dealt with my dad’s severe depression caused by a business failure and deep debt.

Dad chose to check himself into a state mental health hospital where he had six months of shock therapy that left him for many years borderline schizophrenic, experiencing high anxiety, and creating much tension in our home.

At the age of 15, when I was full of wisdom and advice I asked my mom, after one of many difficult arguments with dad, “Why don’t you divorce dad”? She said, “Because he has too many good qualities.” She saw in him who he was, not what was triggered by the depression and anxiety. I will be eternally grateful for her wisdom and insight!

During this time mom sustained a severe back injury that led to surgery, six months in a bed, and degenerating discs that had her doctors saying that she should not even be walking. She defied the odds and was still swimming at age 90.

Because of my dad’s battle with depression--they had no medications back then, at age 44, and with five children, mom, and dad decided that she should enter into one of the most rigorous nursing programs in the country. She felt deeply inadequate but put her trust in God, went to work, graduated at the top of her class, and got her nurse practitioner license.

In her lifetime she was close to death four times. Despite these deep adversities and many more, mom did not become a victim, she became a victor--not overcome but helped others to overcome.

She saw your true worth. You felt uplifted, happier, and valued when you left her presence.

Mom developed a deep faith in Jesus Christ and a never-ending love for her family and others. Because of this faith and love applied, along with humor, she developed a deep belief that everything would work out.

Over time, Mom and Dad made a powerful team that impacted hundreds if not thousands of lives. Their legacy and impact were not created on the stages of the world, but on how they showed up on the stages of their family and neighbors.

Mom and Dad, thank you for your light and legacy!