<p> <p>It has been said that the difference between family and friends, is that you&nbsp; get to pick your friends.&nbsp; Well, when it comes to Mothers, I really lucked out.&nbsp; My Mom is the type of friend anyone would be lucky to pick.&nbsp; Here's why...</p> <p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f4c84767-8cd0-4b66-becd-b06ccef30199" style="display:inline;float:none;width:289px;margin:0;padding:5px;"><div>[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTtSFSOkTSM]</div></div></p> <p>Great friends are there when you need them.&nbsp; They tell you the truth - even when you don't want to hear it. And, if you are really lucky, they are people you can learn from by listening to them and watching what they do.&nbsp; </p> <p><a href="http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/mom-and-dad-tight.jpg"><img style="border-width:0;" height="134" alt="mom and dad tight" src="http://new.corepurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/mom-and-dad-tight-thumb.jpg" width="244" align="right" border="0"></a>My Mom is a pretty incredible lady.&nbsp; She makes good choices in her life - and it shows!&nbsp; She and my Dad are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary this year.&nbsp; My Dad he still thinks she its the best thing that ever happened to him.&nbsp; They've raised five kids together and then after the kids were gone, took care of my Grandmother at home so that she could live out her final years in a loving environment with the best quality of life possible.&nbsp;&nbsp; She is a valuable member of the team where she works and is a committed and active contributor in her church and her community.&nbsp; She has lots of great friends - some of whom go all the way back to high school! </p> <p>I've learned lots of important things from my Mom over the years, some that she's told me and more that she's demonstrated by just being who she is.&nbsp; Here are a few things, that by her words and actions, my Momma told me...</p> <blockquote> <p>If you believe in your self and are committed to do what it takes, you can do anything. </p> <p>Be the best person you can be.&nbsp; You have a responsibility to use the gifts God gave you. </p> <p>Get an education - and never stop learning. </p> <p>Check your work.&nbsp; (She's been know to even find typos in my blog posts.) </p> <p>People have different skills and talents - learn to uncover them and treasure them. </p> <p>You were not raised in a barn - don't act like it. </p> <p>If you want to get something done, find the busiest person you know. </p> <p>Stand by your convictions - If you don't, who will? </p> <p>If it's important to get the job done - sleep's optional.&nbsp; </p> <p>Say I love you - often!&nbsp; </p> <p>You can have it all!&nbsp; </p> <p>At the end of the day, nothing is more important than family.</p></blockquote> <p>See, I really did luck&nbsp; out in the Mommy Lottery.&nbsp; So this Mother's Day, I just want to say - Thanks Mom!&nbsp; I love you.</p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bd76c951-51a3-4072-b7ea-1322921a1d44" style="display:inline;margin:0;padding:0;">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Joan%20Koerber-Walker" rel="tag">Joan Koerber-Walker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CorePurpose" rel="tag">CorePurpose</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Besty%20Koerber" rel="tag">Besty Koerber</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mother's%20Day" rel="tag">Mother's Day</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Life%20Lessons" rel="tag">Life Lessons</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Real%20World%20Inspiration" rel="tag">Real World Inspiration</a></div>