Our most profound teachers are not always found in a classroom. Daily wisdom comes from the people who surround us. My mother is a constant source of inspiration, and I often share stories from her life. A proud woman, she lived alone until the age of 92 in the house where she had raised my three siblings and me, after nearly 60 years of marriage. In this small community, from the library to the supermarket, she was a legendary hometown hero, sharing rich stories and great wisdom.
Born in 1931, my mom, whom we call Yia Yia, lived in a time before washing machines, interstate highways, space exploration, cellphones, and the internet. While she was born in the United States, English was not her first language; Greek was. Her father, my grandfather, was a proud immigrant from Greece in the early 1900s. As a result, my grandfather felt it was important for his family to learn the language and culture of his homeland. In late 1939, my grandmother and her five children went to Leonidion, Greece, for what was supposed to be a cultural immersion and adventure of a lifetime.
In my mother’s childhood, communication was vastly different, and world news traveled much more slowly. Without any major warning, my mother’s village in Greece was invaded by Germany in 1941. At that time, the only way out of this nightmare was through Egypt (with no guarantee of survival). Ultimately, my brave grandmother (at age 31) with her five children, ages 5 through 12, chose to stay in their village — occupying only one part of their spacious home, which became the Nazi headquarters. Having no choice, my mom, at age 10, learned to clean and knit for Nazi soldiers. Due to the war, she had no formal schooling but completed lessons and readings independently. I realize this must be why she values formal education so much, as it was something she lost during wartime. For three years, as a child, she witnessed the horror of war and a childhood devastated by world unrest and tragedy.
By October of 1944, Greece was liberated from Nazi rule. Miraculously, at the end of the war, my mother, her siblings, and my grandmother returned safely to the United States after a nearly monthlong voyage to New York Harbor. Seeing Lady Liberty looming large, torch in hand, as they returned home, is a memory etched in my mom’s mind forever.
At age 94, my mother has lived through war, raised her own large family, finally received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at age 58, and cared for my father with dementia for almost a decade. Her perspective on life is refreshing and insightful.
My Mother’s Wisdom
I share with you some of her best advice I have collected over the years as a daughter, mother, teacher, sister, wife, and friend.
1. Take a risk — It was my mom who supported my son’s wish to attend boarding school. She said to let him take a risk to see how it played out. You never want to regret a missed opportunity. Try new things, make new friends, and get out of your comfort zone. If we seize the moment to do something different, we may surprise ourselves.
2. Be kind — My mother’s kindness never wavers. She had plenty of reasons to be hateful and bitter — but her belief that kindness matters over all else has been a grounding force in her life (and mine). Let’s think before we speak, act, post, or share. Do something kind for someone each day. It is good for the heart and mind.
3. Stay positive and be grateful — Through the depths of despair during World War II and through my father’s extended illness, my mother learned how to look to the future, make plans, and set goals. As the Head of School, I take a moment each day to reflect on my mindset, aware that my actions and attitude have a profound impact on those around me. I strive to remember how fortunate I am and that possibilities are endless, regardless of our age. I advise students to take Yia Yia’s advice to heart. Their strength of character continues to develop and form throughout their young adulthood. Every day, as educators, we teach lessons about acting with integrity and speaking with honesty, and being a kind and responsible community member. Increasingly, I realize that character truly matters. I know Yia Yia would agree.
