Last week my mom passed away. Stricken with the frailty that comes with age, she was still a strong spirit and her death was not imminently expected.
My mother was a great encourager and supporter of many people, spurring them on to try the things they were only dreaming of. I was one of the beneficiaries of her encouragement and support and from her I took at least three things that directly helped build my business.
The first thing she modeled for me was her willingness to try almost anything. Trying was an adventure and fun and sometimes was met with horrible or hilarious results. A dark-haired brunette, Mom decided she really wanted red hair like mine about the time I was 5. She barricaded herself in the bathroom with supplies and came out a few hours later to display a full head of shocking, hot-pink hair. I remember her running through the house yelling, “What am I going to do?” while I stared at her open-mouthed. Her trying to become a red head like me was a horrible failure but I learned from that and many other experiences with her that willingness to try was important. I learned to be fearless in business, willing to try and fail and try again.
A second thing I learned from Mom was the discipline of practice and study. Mom was an expert crafter of silk flowers, a Master Gardener who raised prize dahlias, a very talented seamstress, and a masterful furniture refinisher. She became all those things from hours and hours of practice and study. For me the discipline of practice and study started with piano and later other instruments. Watching her, I realized that mastery and success came with being disciplined enough to do the work. Years later when I had to buckle down and learn the technology behind online marketing that discipline served me well.
Commitment is the third thing I learned from Mom. Every project she took on was met with a full-on commitment that carried results. If she volunteered to be President of the Band Parents she flung herself into it and created a whirlwind of fund raising activities that allowed the high school band I played in to go to parades and bowl games across the country. If she took on reorganizing my brother’s elementary school library there was no stopping until the library shelves gleamed and every book was in order. She taught me through her own actions to put my head down into a project and get it done no matter what it took. Years later I wanted to quit a dozen times before I published my first book, but her strong commitment to finishing what you started popped up in me and has now led me to publish 3 Amazon Kindle best sellers.
From time to time I hear my buddies in the online industry talk about the legacy they want to leave. In a previous post I wrote of the legacy of Edith Flagg. My mom left a legacy of practices, habits and encouragement that helped build my business and taught me to encourage others to do the same. I would be honored to leave a legacy half as big as that. This post is a love note to Mom for a lifetime of encouraging and teaching others through her own actions. There is no stronger legacy.
Diane Hollingshead says
July 17, 2015 at 3:19 pmI remember your mom as always a gracious and accepting lady. You have written such a beautiful tribute to her! There’s a lot of “Mother” in most daughters. I think of mine daily as I do the little things my mother taught me to do (finding I myself asking her “Am I doing this right?”), and her values are embedded in me. My mother will always be part of me–we are inseparable. And you have received some of your best qualities from your mother!
Sue Painter says
July 18, 2015 at 5:43 pmThank you, Diane. I’m honored. You are the best of your mom and uniquely you, too. 🙂
Sue
Lisa Manyon says
April 1, 2015 at 10:25 pmSue,
What a lovely tribute to your mother. Thinking of you and blessed to know you. I can certainly attest to the fact that you embody adventure, discipline and commitment.
Write on!~
Lisa
Mitch Tublin says
March 27, 2015 at 4:57 pmSue, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this story with us. What an amazing legacy she has left. Those three things are wonderful lessons for everyone!
Jessica says
March 27, 2015 at 4:46 pmSue, I am so sorry for your loss and so touched that you shared your love letter to her with us. Her pink hair made me laugh, and the thought of your heavy heart made me cry. I learned from this article and I also connected more deeply to you. Sending you love….
Sue Painter says
March 27, 2015 at 8:37 pmThank you so much, Jessica. 🙂
Tandy Elisala says
March 26, 2015 at 12:35 amSue, my deepest condolences for your profound loss. My mother died in 2012 and I still talk to her and feel her around me everyday. I know nothing anyone says can help you right now. Just know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom left a deep legacy and I love the pink hair story. You are a very committed professional and no doubt your mom is so proud of you.
Mary Ellen Miller says
March 24, 2015 at 12:37 pmSue, first of all my deepest sympathies upon the recent loss of your beloved mother. In reading about her I can clearly see how she instilled a willingness to work and an attitude for success in you. What a wonderful legacy.
Sue Painter says
March 24, 2015 at 4:59 pmThank you for your condolences, Mary Ellen.
Kate Williams says
March 23, 2015 at 11:13 pmSue, Your mother truly left a legacy and she was a stunning role model – for you and now for us. Thank you for sharing your mother with us. If you don’t mind, I’ll borrow her and also you when I hit any of my future barriers to remaining focused and engaged with reinvention.
Sue Painter says
March 24, 2015 at 8:18 amHi Kate,
I’d be honored.
Sue
Paula says
March 23, 2015 at 8:07 pmSue, I love the story about your mom coloring her hair. She was obviously very willing to make mistakes. Something else that is very important in business.
She sounds like a fabulous lady. Thank you for sharing her with us,
Sue Painter says
March 23, 2015 at 8:36 pmYou’re welcome, Paula. She definitely was a special being.
Trudy Scott, Food Mood Expert and Nutritionist says
March 23, 2015 at 6:37 pmThis is a beautiful tribute to your mom Sue. She sounds like a very special mom and I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will continue in her footsteps and continue to make her proud!
Sue Painter says
March 23, 2015 at 8:36 pmThank you, Trudy. I’m glad I’ve never ended up with hot pink hair. 🙂