Mother's Day tribute: What to say

Need some help with a Mother's Day tribute? Whether you want to give a speech for Mom, a toast, or send a clever card, let her know how much her advice and momisms mean to you. After all, we all realize Mother Knows Best. On this special day, which has been around since the early 20th Century, you'll want to let her know that those kernels of wisdom she liberally dispensed have helped make you into the person you are today.

So collect those pearls of wisdom you heard as a child for your Mother's Day tribute. On this page, I've gathered some momisms here that my sister and I heard regularly when we were kids.

A brief Mother's Day tribute

Adapt these words which are suitable for a toast or for a special card you send to mom on Mother's Day.

From my very first days, you left imprints on my heart.
You celebrated my triumphs and comforted me in my losses.
And you never lost faith in me.
Thank you, Mother, for the many things large and small that you have done that helped make me who I am today.
I love you.
Happy Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is another chance to let you know
How special you are to us.
You're one of a kind, loving and caring.
And now it's our turn to say
We love you.
So Cheers for the many Mom things
You do every day.
Happy Mother's Day.

A Mother's Day tribute to Midge and her momisms

My sister and I called our mother Midge. She was a strong, no-nonsense woman who came of age during the Great Depression and knew about being frugal, keeping your opinions to yourself and treating self-pity like a waste of time. She also had a passion for literature and the well-turned phrase.
Like many of that era, she doled out advice based on common-sense admonitions, her observations about the motives of other people and wisdom from the Bible. A highly respected high school English teacher, Midge sprinkled her momisms with bits of poetry, literary genius and guidance from the likes of Ben Franklin.

If you are doing something special for your mother -- perhaps a tribute or a toast -- think about the momisms you heard growing up. And if you have momisms to add to this list, let Special Speeches. know.

Mother's Day tributes: Mom always knows best

If a job is first begun
Never stop until it’s done.
Be the labor great or small
Do it well or not at all.

Pride goeth before a fall.
(Her favorite Proverb)

If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

Judge not that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:1

Money is the root of all evil.
(Actually the Bible verse says the love of money is the root of all evil.)

Early to bed, early to rise
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
--Ben Franklin

Midge - with my sister and me

Shut the door. We don’t need to be heating up the whole outside world.

Wear clean underwear.
You never know when you’ll get in an accident and have to go to the hospital.

Clean your plate.
All those starving children in India would love to have what you’ve left. (Sometimes it was China instead of India.)

Waste not, want not.

Life isn’t fair. Just make the best of it.

Tell the truth and lies can't hurt you.

Stop procrastinating.

Cows get fat just eating grass.
(Too much of anything will do you in.)

Rome wasn't built in a day.

I just saw an angel.

One impulse from a vernal wood
Can tell you more of man,
Of mortal evil and of good
Than all the sages can.
-- William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Hyacinth
If Thou of fortune be bereft
And have but left two loaves,
Sell one and then with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
--Muslih-uddin Sadi

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills
From whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.
--Psalm 23

What is so rare as a day in June.
Then if ever come perfect days.
Poet James Russell Lowell
(1819-1891)