Our mothers give us so many gifts. They give us the precious gift of life, of course, but they also leave treasured lessons that can guide us along our journeys even when they are no longer with us.

Maria Shriver

Categorized in : Giving Mother Journey

My mother's death brought me to my knees. She was my hero, my role model, my very best friend. I spoke to her every single day of my life. I really tried hard when I grew up to make her proud of me.

best day life death

The gift my mother gave me was the gift of possibility. From an early age, she instilled in me a belief that I could do anything I wanted to do. It wasn't a matter of, 'Can I?' or 'Should I?' It was just, 'You can, you must, you will!' She wanted me to believe that anything was possible.

me you age mother

I appreciate your support, particularly this year, for sticking w... by Maria Shriver

I appreciate your support, particularly this year, for sticking with me.

your me support appreciate

One of my greatest joys is poetry. I read it almost every day, and I've even taken a stab at writing some of my own. A poem I wrote for my mother when she was dying really helped me get through that hard time.

day me mother time

I feel very blessed to have four brothers. My brothers always say, 'Oh, you know, we prepared you for the world of journalism. We prepared you for Arnold. We prepared you for everything.' And in a way they're right. Because you know, they take no prisoners. They were very tough.

feel you blessed world

You don't wanna walk around and say, 'I'm somebody's niece, I'm somebody's cousin, I'm somebody's daughter. Who are you?' And I think that's always the challenge when you grow up in a well-known family, is ultimately, you have to face yourself in the mirror and say, 'Who are you? What have you done?'

mirror walk family daughter

Don't think of him as a Republican. Think of him as the man I love, and if that doesn't work, think of him as the man who can crush you.

you man work love

We all know what happens to first ladies who shoot their mouths o... by Maria Shriver

We all know what happens to first ladies who shoot their mouths off.

first who know happens

I, I am my own woman. I have not been, quote, 'bred' to look the other way. I look at that man back there in the green room straight on, eyes wide open, and I look at him with an open heart.

i-am eyes man heart

I made the mistake of thinking that external accomplishments would bring me peace. I thought it was about the job or a book or making a name for myself.

myself me mistake peace

I decided that I was going to be the Kennedy who makes her own name and finds her own job and works like a dog. My comeuppance was when Arnold got elected - I became the Kennedy who was married to the governor.

name own job dog