It’s the little things in life that bring the most joy.

One of my favorite memories from second grade was when my mom volunteered in my classroom. But it wasn’t just her being there that made the day so special–it was because she brought our little white dog with her. I remember she hid the dog under the table while we were all working, and whenever I’d look over, I’d catch a glimpse of her wagging her tail. It was such a small thing, but it was exactly the kind of surprise that made my day. 

My mom always used to say, “It’s the little things in life that bring the most joy.” And in that moment, she was totally right. She didn’t need to do anything big or dramatic to make me feel special–just having our dog there, even if it was a little sneaky, was enough. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best memories come from the smallest gestures. 

That memory always makes me think about how important the small things really are. My mom knew that bringing my dog to school wouldn’t just be fun for me–it would make that day a little bit brighter. And it’s a lesson I carry with me: sometimes, it’s the little, thoughtful things that bring the most joy, and they’re the ones we remember the longest. 

Every cloud has a silver lining.

My mom always says, “Every cloud has a silver lining,” and back then, I really didn’t believe her. Take sixth-grade camp, for example. I was dreading it from the moment I found out I had to go.I tried everything to get out of it, but my mom wasn’t having it. She made me go, and of course, it turned out to be a nightmare. I spent most of the week in tears, and my mom even got a couple of phone calls from my teacher. If there was ever a cloud over my head, that week was it.

But the moment I saw my mom waiting for me when I came back, I was so relieved, I could've burst into tears all over again–this time from happiness. She didn’t give me a lecture or ask about my miserable week. Instead, she drove me straight to my favorite bakery, where I could forget all about camp. I remember feeling a rush of comfort and relief, like that bakery was my silver lining, just as my mom always said there would be. 

Looking back, I realize how much that moment with my mom taught me. She wasn’t just trying to cheer me up with a bakery trip–she was showing me that even when things feel impossible, there’s always something good to be found if you look hard enough. It’s a lesson I didn't fully get at the time, but now I see that the silver linings are often hidden in unexpected places. And now, whenever I face a tough situation, I remember her words and trust that there’s something better waiting for me on the other side.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

As a kid, I didn’t always look forward to the weekly visits with my great grandmother. My sister and I would grumble about the time it took away from our summer break, and I didn’t fully understand why my mom was so insistent. But looking back now, I realize those visits were the “ounce of prevention” in a much bigger picture. The simple act of showing up with hot cocoa in hand, sitting down to ask my great grandmother about her younger days, was a small effort that became a rich and lasting connection.

My great grandmother, at 98, had a wealth of stories and wisdom, and she loved the company. She wasn’t just a person we went to visit; she was a living, breathing library of history, humor, and lessons from a life well-lived. By spending those small moments with her, we were making meaningful memories that I now cherish more than anything. My mom knew that, even when we didn’t–those visits were an investment in family, love, and time together.

The “pound of cure” came much later when, as an adult, I began to realize how precious those memories truly were. Sometimes it takes a while to see the value in the little things, but my mom was right: investing time and connecting with someone you love is never time wasted. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best things in life are the small gestures, and they can end up being the most meaningful cures to the regrets of time lost.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I can still picture the day we went to the animal shelter to find a new addition to our family. My sister and I had our hearts set on getting a new kitten–you know the tiny, fluffy playful ones. But my mom had a different idea. She reminded us that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that sometimes the best choice isn’t always about picking something new. It wasn’t just about picking the cutest kitten; it was about looking beyond the surface and finding something that truly fit our family. And that's how we ended up meeting the cat who would steal our hearts.

As we sat in the visitor room, the staff brought in a few different cats for us to meet, one by one. Each one was sweet in its own way, but none of them really felt like the right fit. Then they brought in our cat–a gray cat with beautiful green eyes. She was calm, almost serene, and immediately made herself comfortable in the room with us. While the other cats were more energetic or curious, she just sat quietly, looking up at us with those soft eyes. There was something so gentle about her demeanor that made us all instantly feel at ease. It wasn’t about how she looked–it was the connection we felt. We just knew she was the one.

Fast forward a few years, and that decision turned out to be one of the best ones we’ve ever made. She’s the most loving cat we could have asked for. Every day, I'm reminded of what my mom taught me: beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Our cat is a reminder that beauty isn't always about being shiny and new–sometimes it’s about finding what truly works for you. 

There’s no place like home.

Growing up, my mom always said, “There’s no place like home,” and I never really understood the full meaning of that phrase until much later in life. As a kid, I just thought of home as, well, home–where I lived, where I slept, and where I did my homework. But my mom created something much more than that. She made our house a safe haven, a place filled with warmth, love, and security. No matter how chaotic or stressful school life could get, I always knew I had a cozy, welcoming place to come back to at the end of the day.

Actually, coming home from school was always a highlight. There was always a healthy snack waiting for me–her homemade cinnamon bread, in particular, was my absolute favorite. The smell of it baking in the kitchen was something that would instantly calm me down after a hectic day. After snack time, we had our routine. Homework was done at the dining table, but it was never a stressful time. My mom had this incredible ability to keep the environment focused yet relaxed. There was structure in the way things were done, but also a sense of freedom to enjoy the little moments. 

The evenings at home were even better. Family TV nights became a tradition–just a simple time to gather together, unwind, and laugh. Even in the midst of our busy lives, my mom made sure that we spent family time together. Looking back, I can see how she instilled in me the idea that home isn’t just where you live, but where you feel safe, loved, and accepted. “There’s no place like home” wasn’t just a saying in our house–it was the foundation of everything she built for us. And I’m so grateful for it.