The best example in my life of an educated person is my 84 year-old Mother. I have never written at length about my mother, but as Mother's Day approaches, it is time to tell her how I see her.

My Mother finished high school in Jordan and she got married at age 17. She had four children before she was 30 and had her fifth child in her late 30's. She raised well adjusted, educated, and talented persons.

My parents were divorced when Mom was in her early 40's and she never married again. She leaped headlong into making her business thrive (making and selling bridal gowns and formal wear), pay for her children's college education, and keep herself financially afloat in the most trying circumstances.

At age 50, while she still maintained her business and support of her children's education, she enrolled in a Community College. She took all the needed courses to complete the two year general education program. As a business owner she had good English language skills. Yet, she had great difficulty taking notes in English. She listened to lectures in English, wrote the lecture notes in Armenian; studied texts in English, took notes in Armenian. Then she would write her papers and exams in Armenian and translate them into English! She earned high grades and the accolades of all her teachers for her depth and understanding. She would then give parties and invite her teachers to our home to have serious discussions about culture, anthropology, history, language, food, and philosophy. They all agreed that Elizabeth already knew the subjects she was studying, especially in the humanities; attending classes was a mere formality.

When people came to our home for a dinner party (there would at times be up to 75 people in our living room) they were treated to gourmet Armenian and Middle Eastern foods, culture, music and dancing. We usually made new, gorgeous dresses to wear to the party. We, the ladies of the house, (my Mom, sister, and myself) were the center of attention as we moved around in beautiful dresses serving and talking and mixing great food with great cultural experiences. My Mom cooked for two days before the party and we cleaned and put things back into their places for two days following the party.

She graduated from Community College and then attended a local University for one semester. Due to lack of funds, she stopped going to college, much to her disappointment! She wanted to get a degree in psychology and I know it would have been fantastic if she could have. At the time, we had so little money and all the children were in school and their needs came first. Now, when I think back, I wish we could have been awake enough and conscious enough to see this desire in our Mother and helped her to finish school. We should have done that for her; a deep regret indeed for me.

My Mother is educated not because she is a college graduate, but because she is a graduate from what I call “The University of Life.” My Mother never stopped reading and studying and being curious about life in its many facets and its many fields. A few years ago she was reading the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich and she told me that I also had to read it once again (I had done so in my history class in college and did not remember much of it) and really understand the psychology in it. Then, we would be able to discuss it. So, I read it carefully this time and we had some very deep discussions about politics and the fragile human condition. She felt that it is important to understand the ways in which human beings succumb to totalitarianism and fascism and find there is relevance for this understanding in our life today.

She has always read serious books on history, politics, art, philosophy, ethics and religion of all nations, and anything that helps her understand life around her. She is well versed in European, Armenian, and Asian and Middle Eastern history and is keenly interested in world politics. She subscribes to several newspapers and magazines. Every time I see her, she updates me on the latest issues facing our country and the world.

She also reads novels both in Armenian and in English. Mention any major folk tale or biblical story (she has read the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments, seven times and can provide an esoteric explanation of any part of it), or any mythical figure or story from Greek, Roman, Armenian, and Middle Eastern fables and stories. She knows the story in several versions and will also tell you what its symbolic meaning is in its many complexities.

She is also knits woolen clothes for all of us without looking at her work (as she reads or watches TV; not just simple knitting but complex patterns and styles), embroiders the most intricate lace and needle work that is museum quality, is an expert tailor and seamstress and clothes designer; she loves music of any kind, poetry, and singing and has a huge music and video collection. She is an avid gardener and is passionate about her trees and plants. Now that she lives in the desert, she is ever watchful of the many “critters” that inhabit the area; plants and trees need vigilance to survive. Nesting birds find a friend in her and when they lay their eggs in her flower pots, she is so careful not to scare the birds and spoil their nests.

She has been a serious meditator since she was 18 and has a deep appreciation and understanding of the Ageless Wisdom Teachings. She is very sensitive psychically, although she would be upset if she knew I mention this. I do note this only for one reason; she is real, not the fake kind. She almost never talks about it; never preaches about religion (in fact she abhors the fake religiosity), never preaches about the Teachings, never talks karma, cosmic consciousness, or such topics that many spiritual people toss around like popcorn at the movies! She has a deep reverence of religion, great religious figures, the spiritual traditions of all nations and she does not talk about them and toss them around vacuously in her conversations. She never interferes with the karma and life of others and when asked for advice, she will mostly let you figure it out for yourself. If I ask her directly about something, she always knows I was going to ask her and she gives me such radical advice that I just look at her and wonder in silence, “how modern and real you are!”

She is passionate about the political events in the world. Once she noticed that her blood pressure was too high as she worried and worried about politics in the Middle East. We in turn worried about her and she knew that she had to do something to address the reasons behind her feelings. Next time I saw her, she looked very calm and philosophical and somehow “distant.” I asked what was on her mind, and she told me that she finally realized through her inner work the karmic problems that all countries are facing. She said human beings will continue to “eat each other” until a time comes when they finally grow up and realize the error of their ways. Until then, we will continue to see the senseless bloodshed and misery in the world. She said karma brings conditions back again and again until we all stop killing, hating, and exploiting others for our own personal or national good. Before change can take place, human beings needed to become human and to finally destroy their ego and vanity and selfishness. She related that she was able to comprehend the sad human condition through inner experiences and that we truly need to understand even politics from the inner perspective if we are to understand the entire evolutionary process of humanity. It was life-changing for her and helped her maintain her joy and not succumb to cynicism and sadness.

Mom comes from the real school of spirituality: no boasting of your inner experiences; these are experiences for you alone and provided for your growth and not for showing off.

One day not too long ago, she and I were chatting on the phone about some simple things and she changed the subject and she said to me: “Stop wasting your emotional capitol; you will need it when you get older.” Well, that was timely! I had been deeply worried about various things in my life and was wasting a lot of emotional energy on them. Her simple words opened a new layer of understanding for me.

I see as I observe Mom that the things that matter to her now are the things that really matter: her health and mental balance, her emotional capitol so she can deal with life. Knowing that she has done her best with her children and their life is now their own. She still cares and stays in touch with us. She also understands that we are souls given to her to guide and grow and nurture. She said she always knew how many children she would have and how they would grow up and what they will become. Mothers know their children are gifts and they are the caretakers. They know this and as they let go, there is a grieving process as well as a freeing process; it takes emotional energy to shift the focus.

And, as she continues to grow and expand, she is cooking up a storm to serve our final luncheon after our Wesak Conference. Mom has cooked and served our Wesak luncheon every year for the last five years. I asked her, “Mom, what are you making for us and what are you serving?” She said playfully, “None of your business; just do what you have to do and leave the food to me!” OK. I will do that. I get it!

Today, as I am getting ready for Wesak and our conference coming up, I wanted to share these thoughts with all of you, with the whole world, to show us how our Mothers shape us and imprint us deeply. I want to wish my Mother a happy Mother's Day. To every Mother who has suffered and raised children, may you be blessed by the Divine Mother of all. And, for women everywhere, with or without children, be yourself and be the best woman you can be. Be in your strength, glory, and sensitivity; there is nothing like you and no one can take your place.

What is an educated person? My Mother gave me the best example: it is a person who engages in life inwardly and outwardly and grows to appreciate the essentials in life as life unfolds itself.

I reflect on all the gifts my Mom has given me and made me who I am. She is in me. As I move forward, I do so with her in my heart and soul forever. I hope the lessons she has bestowed on me are carried forward and can be the same path of joy and enthusiasm for others as they have been and continue to be for me.

Gita