When I was growing up, my mom always was behind me. One of the things I appreciate most about my mother is that she never had a negative word for me, but she also never stopped pushing me. In my book, Lessons from the Old Schoolhouse, I tell about how I was planning to drop out of school when I was in the 11th grade. The thing is: I had never really thought much about graduating from high school. I had been working like crazy and did not have a lot of bandwidth for studying. I loved playing sports, but I did not think that anyone other than my coaches (definitely not my academic teachers) would miss me or feel like I was making a particularly bad decision if I left school early. Honestly, I thought I was making the best decision for myself and that everyone would agree with me.

I had not factored in my mom. To put it lightly, she did not agree with my decision.

You can read all about it in my book, but the short version is that I did graduate from high school even though I had to put in some serious, serious effort to make it happen. When my mom took a stand about something having to do with her kids’ success in life, she did not back down. Furthermore, because she always, always had my back, when she spoke, I listened. More importantly, I gave myself the gift of always having the opportunity to listen because I spoke with her on the phone or in person constantly for many, many years. I knew she would always be proud of me and push me to do better if I would listen to her feedback about my plans and decisions.

This post is a little late, but I wanted to post a little bit about my mom in honor of Mother’s Day. If you are fortunate enough to still have your mom here where you can call her up on the phone, do that – and not just on a holiday! Call your mother and listen to what she says because I promise you: No one in this world is dedicating more brain power, passion, and devotion to your success than your mother. Give her a chance to tell you the results of all that drive and effort and then consider her input carefully when you make decisions.

I miss my mom every day, and I knew she was thinking of me and about me even in her later years when she had dementia and we were not able to speak as regularly anymore due to circumstances outside of both our controls. Even when Mom barely knew what was going on anymore, I remember my sister once telling me that she was driving my mother up MI-33 and they could see my house on the hill in the distance. Mom sat up straight and pointed to the bright roof of my house on the hill, shouting, “Dana!” Even then, I was still on her mind, and I promise you that she was on mine, as well.

It sounds like a little thing, but one of the biggest things in the world you can do for your mom is listen to her and really absorb what she says. You do not always have to do exactly what you are told, but considering it seriously will benefit your professional life, your personal life, and your relationship with one of the constants in your life, your mother.

Mom, happy Mother’s Day. I miss you every day.

And here is today’s lesson from the Old Schoolhouse:

To all you mothers out there, don’t stop telling your kids how much you love them and how proud you are of them. They hear you, even if you can’t tell at the time.