What Would My Mother Think?
Best Mother's Day story I've heard in a long time
It is said that many a man has been saved from the brink of error by this question pulsing through his soul: “What would my mother think?” It is difficult to kick aside the moral buttressing afforded a man who consistently measures his actions against what his mother thinks.
In fact, I’d wager that at some time or another (or perhaps on a daily basis) virtually every person on earth has unconsciously or overtly asked him or herself the question, “What would my mom think?”
I saw a particularly memorable example of this on Facebook recently. With permission, here’s the story of Austin Hepworth, my new favorite champion for motherhood:
“I went to Hong Kong when I was 21 to translate at a world Gem, Watch, and Jewelry trade show for a silver company that I worked for at the time. I was there as a 21-year-old 'kid' translating for some CEO's and other high-level executives of some fairly large companies.
On the last night of the trade show, one of the CEO's announced that his wife had left early and that the group of executives was going to go to the local strip club. He proceeded to look at each of us and tell us we were to be there.
It was my first experience with such a situation, but I instinctively recoiled and said "NO" quite loudly. Everyone turned to look at me, and the CEO asked, "Why not?"
I was out of my element, in Hong Kong, surrounded by millions of dollars (literally) in jewels, rich executives, and the like, but there was one thought that popped into my mind that I blurted out as quickly as it came in.
“Because my mother would never let me" I replied.
Yep, I said it was because my mother would never let me. Of course, there were many other reasons why I wouldn't go, but that one was at the front of my mind, and that is what I said to this group of executives…
The CEO asked me if I had any better ideas of something to do instead of the strip club. I had no idea what to do in Hong Kong, but one of our family treats popped into my mind.
"We can get ice cream" I responded.
"In Hong Kong? Where do we find ice cream in Hong Kong?"
An image of a McDonalds popped into my mind. It was a few blocks from the location we were at. I suggested McDonalds, and that night a group of executives walked down the street in Hong Kong to eat ice cream at McDonalds.
That all happened because of my mother and her influence on me and my life. She changed the course of that night for many people.
I am certain that moms do the same the world over. A mother's influence impacts more than just her children; it impacts all whom her children associate with. While the work of a mother is often unappreciated, uncelebrated, and unrecognized, it is a powerful force in shaping our world and those in it, for good.”
Moms are the force that shape and mold so much of our world, as they mold us. Every human on this planet is here because of a mother. I don't know that we can ever fully appreciate the influence of a good mother in our world, but that day in Hong Kong, I realized how profound of an impact my mother had on shaping me.
I absolutely love this story. I’ll forever remember the time Austin Hepworth turned a trip to a sleazy strip club into a night out for McDonald’s ice cream—and honored his mom in the process. I find it hilarious, heartwarming, and inspiring.
Much like Austin, general George Washington credited his mother for his successes. He said, “All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.” Likewise, Abraham Lincoln famously said, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
When all is said and done, it is mostly mothers who establish the foundational beliefs of each person ever born and, therefore, establish the foundational beliefs of societies, nations, and the world.
The question, “What would my mother think?” may very well hold the world together.
Happy Mother’s Day.
With love,
Kimberly
