Love & Kindness: Life lessons from my mom, part two

When I asked my mom to write down the top 10 life lessons she wanted me to remember, she gave me 113. Her list is a mix of quotes, memories, and deeply lived values—gathered from books, friends, films, her kids (hi 👋), and the messy, magical process of being human.

In my last article, I explored the first theme that emerged: Joy, Humor & Curiosity. This time, I’m writing about the second top-voted theme from that poll: Love & Kindness.

Her reflections don’t offer grand theories. They offer ground-level truths, the kind you actually want with you when things get hard, or tender, or real.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Listening is Love

“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen.” - Cathy Giannoumis

For my mom, love doesn’t begin with action. It begins with attention.

She’s the kind of person who listens like it’s a skill, not a habit. And growing up, I realized how rare that is.

Listening is how we say: You matter. I’m here. I care. It’s one of the most powerful kinds of kindness, and the least practiced.

The Everyday Miracles of Kindness

“Things can change so entirely in a heartbeat. The world can be made entirely anew because someone was kind.” - Cathy Giannoumis

Kindness is her currency. Not the “random act” kind, but the steady, intentional kind.

Holding the elevator. Remembering your coffee order. Sending a text at the right moment.

She believes the world changes, not through big declarations, but through small, consistent kindnesses that slowly rewire how we trust each other.

Helpers Make the World Go Round

“In any tragedy, look for the helpers, you will always find people that are helping.” — Mr. Rogers

This one shows up in every tough moment of our lives.

My mom taught me that even when the news is bleak, or the systems are broken, or the grief feels unbearable, there’s always someone helping. Always someone trying to hold the world together with duct tape and kindness.

And that’s the kind of person she wanted me to be. One of the helpers.

Real Love Isn’t Flashy

“Family are the people who care about you.” - Cathy Giannoumis

Love, for my mom, is not dramatic. It’s not a speech or a social media post.

It’s doing the dishes without being asked. It’s staying up to talk even when you’re tired. It’s giving someone the best bite off your plate.

She never talks about love as an emotion. She talks about it as a responsibility. A rhythm. A gift you give because someone matters to you, not because they earned it, but because they’re yours.

The People Who Loved Us Into Being

“All of us have special ones who loved us into being.” - Mr. Rogers

“Inside each of us we preserve the fingerprints of those who taught us how to love.” - The Phone Box at the Edge of the World

This may be my favorite lesson of all.

We are who we are because someone showed us how to be loved. Someone saw us before we saw ourselves. Someone lit the first lamp and walked with us until we could carry it on our own.

For me, that someone is my mom.

Be Gentle. Everyone’s Carrying Something.

“We are a world of broken people. Let’s be kind to one another.” - Cathy Giannoumis

It’s easy to armor up in the workplace, online, even with people we love.

But my mom believes softness is a form of strength. Not everyone gets to be open. Not everyone has the support they need. So if you do? Extend it.

Don’t save your kindness for a special occasion. Use it daily. Lavishly. Freely.

P.S. This is the second (and final) article in a two-part series based on the 113 life lessons my mom shared with me. If you missed Part 1 on Joy, Humor & Curiosity, you can find it here.

Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll! And Mom, if you’re reading this: thank you for loving me into being.