“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” —Unknown
Mothers deserve to be celebrated every single day and showered with love always. We are so grateful for all of the mothers that make Columbus and TSG all that it is. We asked some of our members to share their favorite things about their mothers & about being a mothers themselves - and we are absolutely loving their sweet answers!
Autumn Pochiro with Autumn Dawn Inspired Design
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“What I love and admire most about my sweet mom is she's always smiling even when the world around her looks bleak.”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“Everyone deserves a second chance. That's what love is a chance.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“Being a mom is the greatest gift. The love of my daughters makes my world whole yet makes me question every decision. The job of being their moral and spiritual compass until they know their own heart makes me want to be a better person daily.”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“Quality time spent with my girls I am always amazed at the way they love, dream, and play. Even as teens, they have this beautiful view of humanity. Grateful, to have their unconditional love.”
Jennifer Heck with Dr Robert Heck-Columbus Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“My mother had the patience to do it all. She was a full time middle school teacher while raising 5 kids and we always felt well cared for. She had to have been pulled in so many directions but yet all us children never wanted for anything. Probably the most admirable attribute about my mom however is her ethics and kindness, she truly always does the right thing and is caring to all she meets!”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“The greatest advice my mom gave to me was to give myself a break. I often want to succeed at multiple things at once and am hard on myself if i don't believe I'm achieving a certain level of success. I have learned that I can't be the best at home, work, my work outs, taking care of the kids and my husband all at once, I need to forgive myself for having balance and accepting my definition of "best" doesn't mean I'm still not succeeding.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“The biggest lesson I have learned about myself becoming a mother is realizing that I need to be flexible. Just because I want things, behaviors, goals for the kids to be a certain way doesn't mean it's the only path it will take.”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“The thing I love most about being a mother now that my kids are 17 and 19 are the simple things like family dinner, knowing they are asleep in their rooms at night, or making them breakfast in the morning. The transition from infant to teen goes so fast, I've enjoyed it all but what also brings me joy now is seeing them be independent and thinking through things themselves to better prepare for adulthood!”
Erica Fullen with The Wild Sage Collective
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“Her creativity. My mom has an amazing eye for design and can make any space look beautiful.”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“Being one of 3 daughters and having 3 daughters myself, my mother has always told me to choose my battles. Do you want to be right or do you want peace is a question I often ask myself when I find myself on the verge of a "battle" with my daughters.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“I have learned what it feels like to have my heart on the outside of my body.”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“Being a mother constantly challenges and motivates me to show up as the best version of myself.”
Fiona Miller with Fiona Miller Art
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“My mum is a natural giver: she is always ready to love on and serve others!”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“This advice has come more through example than words, but she has taught me the value of hard work and determination. So much can be accomplished by just tackling one thing and then the next.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“I am not a very patient person!!! (I'm still learning this one.....)”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“It has taught me so much about my faith: the depth to which I love my children simply because they are mine, helps me understand how much I am loved by God.”
Francesca Festa with Dragonfly Counseling and Wellness
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“Self-care. I have seen my mother take care of her body and her mind with consistency and balance through her whole life with yoga, massages, an healthy diet and her personal skin care routine. I always admired it and I witnessed the benefits. I came to appreciate her lifestyle even more when I became a working mom and following in her footsteps helped me gain balance and maintain sanity. And of course, her teaching had a great impact on my job as a wellness counselor!”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“My mother had to work full time when I was growing up and I remember her job was not always the best fit for her. However, she dutifully went to work everyday until she retired, without ever complaining. She taught me a sense of responsibility and commitment. At the same time, she always encouraged me (and in fact made it possible for me) to follow my passions.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“Becoming a mother taught me the importance of slowing down and learning to be present. I am practicing being mindful and offering my children undivided attention for a certain period of time. Although it can be really challenging, I intentionally take some time every day to turn off my phone and just be with my kids without distractions. I do it both for them and for myself.”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“Spending time with my kids I rediscovered the joy of playing. I love sitting on the floor with them or getting messy with art projects. Playing with them allows me to connect and teach them new skills to help them grow. At the same time, playing gives me an opportunity to be creative, relieve stress, and be in the moment.”
Abigail Fredelake with The Scout Guide
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“Her energy, love for life, and how everyone she meets becomes a friend.”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“Life is short, so live it to the fullest and don't take things too seriously.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“The amount of love I could have for my son.”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“The smile he gives me when I walk into a room is the absolute best.”
Paxton Hood with The Scout Guide
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“Her strength, resilience, and grace through the difficult times will never not amaze me. She is patient and calm through all things and loves with her whole heart. I can only hope when I am a mother someday that my children feel as loved and supported as I do every day from my mother.”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“Control what you can and don’t dwell on things you cannot - I can get a bit dragged down by my desire to control things and discouraged when I cannot. She always reminds me that it is okay to let things go a little, breathe, and give myself a bit of a break. It is okay to not have it all together – learning that more than ever with this pandemic!”
Mara Ackermann with Ackermann & Associates
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“Her independence, she always has been self-sufficient and has relied only on herself.”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“Expectations are resentments waiting to happen”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“My daughters watch everything I do- my actions need to have accountability and character”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“Seeing the world through the eyes of my children who have no judgement and everything is new and exciting.”
Allison Leonard with Kismet Visuals
The thing I admire most about my mother:
“Is how she has always 1000% provided for our family, not financially necessarily but she shows her love so well in all the other ways. I wish I was half as good as her in the kitchen too”
The greatest advice my mother has given me:
“Be the bigger person AND if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all.”
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“That nothing hurts more than seeing your children hurting and although I would do anything to take away their pain I also know part of life is pain and letting them grow and learn from that pain is important.”
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“The hugs and kisses and the way they truly love me unconditionally.”
Jenn Teitt with Bellepoint Company
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself since becoming a mother:
“Being a mother has taught me every day about God's love for me. In the same ways I care for, nurture, protect, and guide Charlie, I know God cares for, nurtures, protects, and guides me.“
The thing I love most about being a mother:
“Waking up every morning is kind of like Christmas. I'm excited to see his bright smile, hear his sweet voice, and feel those little arms wrap around my neck. Every day is ten times better because of Charlie.”
