We asked Tucsonans: What's the best advice your mom gave you?

The best advice my mother gave me came to her as a result of her involvement in politics. She served 10 years in the Colorado legislature beginning in 1968. A "compassionate conservative" who supported the ERA and was pro-choice, she then ran for lieutenant governor in 1978 but was defeated by a candidate far to her right politically. "You can't go through life with a burr under your saddle," she remarked upon losing this battle. Perhaps she was mixing metaphors, but I have always taken this to mean that you let go of life's losses and await new opportunities. In 1980 she successfully returned to public office as a county commissioner.

Diane Dittemore

I've been so fortunate to have a wise and loving mother. She's 88, and she continues to inspire me. There have been many pearls of wisdom shared over the decades, but perhaps the one that helps repeatedly is, "Nothing material lasts forever." Through the growing pains of accidentally breaking or losing precious things, through family burglaries that stole so many treasures that were to be inherited, to the fire that destroyed the house and consumed memories the day after Christmas one year, I have found comfort and solace by accepting that in the greater scheme of things, "nothing material lasts forever."

Malana Watt Corn

"Never argue with a baby," was the best advise my mom gave me that I have applied since it was given.

I was about 10 or 11 years old and arguing with my 6-year-younger sister, who went crying to our mother, who looked at me and asked why I was disagreeing with my sister, and said the above, finishing with "you'll never win an argument with a baby." It took me a minute to realize that she meant you can't win an argument with someone who won't listen to you, or is not yet mature enough to consider any viewpoint except their own.

Later in life, when I read the quote "choose your battles wisely," I again realized my mother's wisdom in that saying, and was glad that I tried to follow her advice in my life, saving a lot of unnecessary grief and strife over the years.

S Rouzaud

My Mom loved family reunions, celebrating births, honoring and cherishing those who passed away, hosting parties. She loved life and everyone who was a part of her life loved her. She was the social butterfly who stayed in contact with so many friends and family. When she died in 2011, we were devastated as we had just lost our dad six months before, along with an aunt and uncle. She taught me and so many others that life was meant to be enjoyed, through good times and sad, to remember that God was a constant and positive anchor in our lives. She is missed every moment of every day of my life, and that of my sister, my nephew, great nephews and many family and friends.

Happy Mother’s Day in heaven, Mom. We love you!

Diane Damewood

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you are and aren’t capable of, including me.”

Danielle D Adams

"To Thine Own Self Be True" were the first written words from my mom to me. The words carefully printed by my mother's hand seemed to leap forward from the front page of a zippered leather-bound Bible given to me as a small child. Strange words that lacked purpose to one so small. I pondered throughout my life upon their meaning for I knew they must be very important.

Growing up I had a zest for exploration and a joyful love of life. Being true to myself ended when I married. This person altered who I was allowed to be so drastically, the self I wanted to be true to no longer existed. My mother's message in words would drift away from me yet haunt my life until over time I would grasp their full meaning, internalize the depth of the love which came from my mother's heart so long ago, to once again return me to become "True to My Own Self." Thank you, Mom.

Jo Sawyer

My Mom never really "gave" advice. She just lived by example and I copied her. I learned Kindness, Cooking, and Patience. One thing I do recall is she always said that if she won the Lottery, she'd buy new roofs for 10 people. "No one deserves a leaking house!" That has become my goal as well.

Matt Welch

I grew up on a North Dakota farm. I told my parents I didn't intend to go to high school because I wanted to be a farmer and didn't need it. My Mother suggested I try freshman year until Christmas and said, "If you don't like it, you can quit." I did and, true to her expectation, I liked it. A lot. High school was followed by bachelors and masters degrees at North Dakota State University and a Ph.D. at Michigan State. My career included being founding chairman of the Department of Communication at NDSU and chairman and professor of Communication at Cornell University. Thanks, Mom!

Don Schwartz

My Nana told me, as a young bride (54 years ago) that all big changes in life - both good and bad - take a year before life can begin to normalize. She went on to explain that could be marriage or divorce, life or death, etc. Valuable lesson!

Judi Brauns

Exercise. Move. Keep your body healthy and limber. You will reap the benefits when you get older!

Linda Herrera

When I was in the 8th grade and trying to decide which side to take in a classroom debate on which is more valuable, cotton or gold, my mother suggested I take the side I didn't believe because that would make me work harder.

Joyce Patterson

"Remember who you are. Your actions reflect your upbringing."

Armando G. Salaz

Mama said, “If a boy gets fresh with you, get out of the car and walk home!”’

(I didn’t follow instructions, though.)

Lee Marie Schnebly

My mother told me when I was young, "never worship anyone who cannot walk on water." How right she was!

K. Gugliotta

When I was about 12 or 13, my mother took me aside for a "talk." I have no memory of what my transgression may have been but I knew it was something significant because this was the first time she spoke privately to me in this manner. Her message went something like this: It is important to be generous and giving toward others. But it is just as important to accept gifts graciously. This is as profound to me today as it was when I heard it over 75 years ago. It was her gift to me.

Anne Roush

An exceptional woman and matriarch of our family, Lorena Acedo, taught us to be proud of our name and continue to uphold traditions passed on from generations. When life gets tough, we are stronger than we think, and remember "this too shall pass." Lastly, keep family close because tomorrow is never promised.

Acedo Family

Mom always told me to wear clean underwear when going out. I always heeded her advice and blessed her the day I had a car accident. At the hospital, even though I was bloodied and in pain, my underwear was presentable. Thanks, Mom!

Valerie Golembiewski

"It is better to keep your mouth shut and let everybody think you are a fool than to open it and prove it."

Russell Martin

Best advice my mother ever gave me: "Couches and pets - you don't get very many in your life, so choose wisely."

Margaret Koppen

My mom always taught me to cherish the little things in life. From family movie nights (featuring an inordinate amount of pizza, of course) to the countless made-up sports games I played with my brothers, these “little” memories have shaped me into the man I am today. Thanks Mom!

Kevin Schneider

"Be true unto yourself."

Mark Wood

My Mom once told me "Smile, son... things could be worse."

So I smiled, and sure enough, things got worse...

Bob Frybarger