Things My Mama Told Me: The Wisdom That Shapes Our Lives [Hardcover]

Olga Samples Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2004

Listen to Your Mama.

There is no substitute for the sometimes gentle, often hard-hitting, always loving wisdom of a mother. As children, we sometimes rolled our eyes or deliberately tuned out our mothers when they shared their colorful bits of common sense. Yet, as time wore on, we discovered the undeniable truth: Our mothers’ favorite sayings hold profound insights concerning the ways of the world. In fact, following Mama’s advice may well be the easiest, smartest, and most painless way to live and enjoy life. Who else but a mama would say:

• Love is a noun and a verb–both at the same time.

• Do your best. God will handle the rest.

• Love is measured by the heart, not the head.

• Can’t do a thing about yesterday; don’t know if tomorrow will come. Just workin’ with today.

• When you fail to see the good in someone else, you miss an opportunity to learn and see a greater good in yourself.

It is imperative that we not forget our mothers’ words, for within them can be found truths that will save us–and our children–much heartache and lead us to unlimited joy. Join Olga Samples Davis as she reflects upon, embraces, and celebrates a mother’s everyday inspirational lessons in living, inviting us each to rediscover the powerful truths revealed within Things My Mama Told Me.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Olga Samples Davis embodies the precious gift of embrace. Her gracious writing invites us to sit on the porch right alongside her, delighting in the wit and wisdom springing up from the deep, compassionate mama-well. She’s terrific at writing conversations and including the buzzes of friction that spark larger understanding. I wish she and her mama ran the world.”
–Naomi Shihab Nye, author of Habibi

“In this book, you will find the wisdom of a strong, vibrant, and free-spirited mother. A mother who shaped not only the lives of her children but her extended family and community as well. She patterned her life after the life of her Savior. She was good to those around her. If there was a lesson to learn she was the teacher for the job. In Things My Mama Told Me, a devoted and endearing daughter puts her mother’s heart of mountain moving wisdom on delightful display.”
–Thelma Wells, singer, speaker, and author of Girl, Have I Got News for You

“Olga is opening her great heart, sharp mind, and witty wisdom for the world. It is the down-to-earth wisdom presented with mercy and mirth that feeds some deep yearning in all of our hearts. Readers will have a new friend in reading this work, and they will wish that they could sit down with this playfully wise woman and her mom, Browning, and have all day to simply talk about the things that really matter in life.”
–Don Murdock, executive director of Laity Lodge, H. E. Butt Foundation, and marriage and family therapist

“Things My Mama Told Me could be read in a day, but it will take a lifetime to adequately use and fully enjoy. Here’s one sure way mamas of old can inspire mamas (and daddies) of today. Through writing that is both refreshing and aspiring, Olga gives us clues to their rearing genius. It’s like a guide for today’s parents–easy to follow and fun to read.”
–Gemeral E. Berry, Jr., journalist and publisher of Our Texas magazine

“Many of us are blessed to have mothers like Browning Louvenia McKinney Samples whose boundless love, life-affirming spirit, and poetic pearls of wisdom have nurtured and shaped us. But few of our mothers are blessed enough to have children like Olga Samples Davis who are equally poetic and wise in articulating our mother’s teachings. Browning’s Sistah-Girl has done her mother as proud as Olga is of her mother. These two gifted and special women aren’t simply artists of the spoken and written word; they’re artists in humanity. After you’ve finished reading Things My Mama Told Me, you may not be as wise as Browning and Olga but I promise you that you will be wiser, better, more inspired, and more in love with life and appreciative of its wonders than you were before you opened it.”
–Cary Clack, columnist, San Antonio Express-News

“What does it look like to transfer solid beliefs, distinct values, and clear directives to our children? Olga’s stories help us with powerful pictures of the careful training and ongoing influence of her feisty, determined mother. A beautifully written, funny, moving, and inspiring look at a mother-daughter relationship that spans decades. This book is sure to bring women a renewed perspective of our biblical calling to pass on true treasure to another generation.”
–Andi Ashworth, author of Real Love for Real Life

“Olga’s wit and wonderful storytelling embody the full spectrum of her mother’s wisdom, giving this book the capacity to pierce our minds, hearts, and spirits with priceless God-centered values for life.”
–Bitsy Ayres Rubsamen, author of Gentle Rain and Becoming the Beloved

“If I were God and wanted to weave black folks and white folks and every shade in between together, I’d find me a rib and carve OLGA on it in the largest letters possible.”
–Diane M. Komp, MD., professor emeritus, Yale University School of Medicine, and author of Images of Grace

From the Inside Flap

Listen to Your Mama.

There is no substitute for the sometimes gentle, often hard-hitting, always loving wisdom of a mother. As children, we sometimes rolled our eyes or deliberately tuned out our mothers when they shared their colorful bits of common sense. Yet, as time wore on, we discovered the undeniable truth: Our mothers? favorite sayings hold profound insights concerning the ways of the world. In fact, following Mama?s advice may well be the easiest, smartest, and most painless way to live and enjoy life. Who else but a mama would say:

? Love is a noun and a verb?both at the same time.

? Do your best. God will handle the rest.

? Love is measured by the heart, not the head.

? Can?t do a thing about yesterday; don?t know if tomorrow will come. Just workin? with today.

? When you fail to see the good in someone else, you miss an opportunity to learn and see a greater good in yourself.

It is imperative that we not forget our mothers? words, for within them can be found truths that will save us?and our children?much heartache and lead us to unlimited joy. Join Olga Samples Davis as she reflects upon, embraces, and celebrates a mother?s everyday inspirational lessons in living, inviting us each to rediscover the powerful truths revealed within Things My Mama Told Me.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (April 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578568196
• ISBN-13: 978-1578568192
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,602,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars It is so POWERFUL!, March 31, 2006

By 

D. L. Walthall "Boutifuldoll" (Fredericksburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Things My Mama Told Me: The Wisdom That Shapes Our Lives (Hardcover)

I received the book from a beautiful friend and procrastinated many weeks before I read it. Once I began reading however, I had great difficulty putting the book down. It is so powerful! The mother's wisdom that is shared in this book is phenomenal. It not only benefits me as an adult, but also the child inside of me and the children that God has blessed me to raise. I hope to one day have the gentle wisdom, patience and character that Mrs. Davis' mother had and still has so that I can continue to raise respectful, caring and nurturing children. I plan on purchasing this wonderful collection of stories for all of my friends. What a wonderful gift you have given to us, Mrs. Olga Samples Davis! Thank You!

5.0 out of 5 stars Things My Mama Told Me: The Wisdom That Shapes Our Lives, September 1, 2005

By 

Nan Schreiber "Nan" (San Antonio TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Things My Mama Told Me: The Wisdom That Shapes Our Lives (Hardcover)

If you're a parent or a child, a sibling or an "only" who wished for sibs, this book is for you. You'll recognize someone in the book and be better for having read Mrs. Browning Samples' "Mom-isms." Author, Olga Samples Davis, addresses experiences with which all of us can identify: funny, touching and straighforward. Her mama doesn't mince words! Neither does Ms. Davis. From laughing out at the antics of "busybody" reactions to front yard antics, to aching with sympathy at punishment for chilchood transgression, this is one of the best "buy-another-for-my-sisters-and-Mom-books" I've ever read. Between us, my mother and I have given away thirteen of 'em so far!

5.0 out of 5 stars Rx: Try a Dose of Mama's Wisdom, August 16, 2004

By 

Nancy L. Pridgen "Nancy List Pridgen" (Universal City, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Things My Mama Told Me: The Wisdom That Shapes Our Lives (Hardcover)

This powerful book is not to be missed -- it's good for what ails you. The author's personality bursts forth on every page, disseminating her Mama's teachings for the benefit of all. To read this book is to know Olga Samples Davis as an old and dear friend and to learn from her Mama.

Ms. Davis proves with every chapter that a rich childhood has nothing to do with money. Her sagacious Mama knew what her children needed at every juncture in order to develop into confident adults who know how to dwell in possibility, whatever life may throw at them. Why waste money on toys, for example, when the toys they created themselves were more creative and original than store-bought junk anyway?

But most of all, Mama taught her children by example. No matter how little they had, Mama helped those who were less fortunate. When there was not enough money, Mama simply fell back on her "365 ways to cook beans." When her children cried, she comforted them. When she hurt, she cried, and her children comforted her. She taught them to sing, assuring them, "When you sing, you pray twice." Mama knew how to teach life skills and basic values in ways her children will remember for a lifetime.

At a time when books advising us about how to live are all too common, Things My Mama Told Me is a one-of-a-kind treasure. It is a gem of a book that I'll return to again and again for hope, direction, and attitude adjustment. I plan to read it to my grandson; I know of no higher praise than that!