Speaking at a celebration of life or memorial service is often difficult. It can be particularly difficult if the one who has passed is the speaker's mother. When a mother passes away, a child is often at a loss for words and maybe unprepared for the sadness and grief. That is when a quotation is a good idea to use at the service. It can also be printed in a memorial booklet.
Historic People Who Paid Tribute to Their Mothers
From Abraham Lincoln: "I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
In this quotation Abraham Lincoln is actually talking about his step-mother, Sarah Bush Lincoln, who raised him as her own after his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, passed away when he was 9-years-old. Lincoln called Sarah, “Mother” and it is reported that he was closer to her than his own father. She was an encourager to him as well as a woman of faith.
From Washington Irving: “A father may turn his back on his child, brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies, husbands may desert their wives, wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all.”
Irving also said, "A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."
These two quotes from American author Washington Irving speak lovingly about his mother, Sarah Sanders Irving. She was an English woman, the granddaughter or a clergyman who instilled love of family in her son. She named him after President George Washington.
A Contemporary Author Looks at Mother’s Love
Victoria Secunda, a contemporary psychologist and author has much to say about mothers and also their passing. Her book, “Losing Your Parents, Finding Your Self: The Defining Turning Point of Adult Life,” explores the impact on one's life of losing a parent as an adult, and the effect it has on families, careers, and friendships.
One thought from Secunda that could be quoted at a service: "Mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships."
Secunda also wrote, “A daughter's relationship with her mother is akin to bungee diving. She can stake her claim in the outside world...but there is an invisible emotional cord that snaps her back. For always there is the memory of mother, whose judgments are so completely absorbed into the daughter's identity that she may wonder where Mom leaves off and she begins.”
Fun Quotes About Mom
There is often times a place for humor at a memorial service or in a eulogy. Consider these witty sayings that still honor mothers:
"God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers." ~Jewish Proverb
“A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” ~Irish Proverb.
"No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement." ~Florida Scott Maxwell, 20th century author.
Using Quotes Effectively at a Service
When giving a eulogy at a celebration of life, or memorial service, take time to select appropriate quotes that honors the mother.
In combination with other interesting facts about the mother’s life, quotes can provide guests with a glimpse of the warm and cherished mother-child relationship.
Resources:
Britannica.com
NNDB.com/people
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