Hey Mama,

Throughout life, you meet people that have a deep and lasting influence on your life. Usually, the first person that you ever see is the one that will teach you some of your first life lessons. That person is YOUR MOM! You only get one so you better take care of her!

20 Things that I have learned from my mama...

1. When you can, always try to help people.
2. Chivalry will always be alive. (My mom knows at least I will be opening doors)
3. Keep your family close.
4. God should always be your foundation.
5. Pursue those things that are important to you.
6. Fall down 7 times, stand up 8 times. (Sorry, that's the new slogan for the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade's new tennis shoe)
7. Forgiveness is right there with godliness.
8. It is cool for a man to know how to cook, clean, and communicate.
9. Education is numero uno!
10. If you just be yourself, people will most likely respect you.
11. Love cures all things.
12. Take pride in the way you look. (I know that you are shocked considering how many wrinkled clothes that I wear. I knowwww. If you know better, do better!
13. Make time for your children.
14. Never use your prized possessions. (Meaning use your special dishes for Thanksgiving/Christmas, put plastic runners on the carpet, place plastic covers on the couch and lamp shades, and never sit on my bed cover. (Just kidding, LOL!)
15. If you were bad growing up, you shall reap it back from your kids. (Boy, I sure hope that this does not apply to my sweetie.)
16. Community service is a must!
17. Keep a clean house. (Don't always follow that one!)
18. Never burn bridges because you may get stuck where you are.
19. You can afford to lose everything but your character, identity, or principles.
20. Say "I love you" to the people that you love.

Mama, thank you for giving me life lessons.

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give".
Sir Winston Churchill British politician (1874 - 1965)