“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”

“I’ll give you something to cry about.”

“Because I said so.”

There’s no shortage of well-known motherly advice in the parenting universe, and some of those mom-isms end up seared into our memories well beyond childhood.

In honor of Mother’s Day, TribLive interviewed people in the region and asked them to share the most beloved advice they’ve received from their mothers — and how it impacts their lives.

“Money will always be there! The mess will always be there, but life won’t be! Go to the concert, visit that museum and see your loved ones. When you die, you’ll never wish you cleaned or worked more.”

Courtesy of Emily Rankin Emily Rankin poses with her mother Wendy Rankin.  

Emily Rankin describes her mom Wendy Rankin as her best friend.

The mother/daughter duo reside in Harrison and have shared many trips together, and Emily takes her mother’s advice to heart, placing an emphasis on making memories.

“We hang out with each other more than anyone else,” Emily Rankin said. “Even if we are apart, we talk every day on the phone.”

Trips together have included visiting an annual farm show in Harrisburg, music concerts and New York City.

“Sometimes we just pick up everything and decide to visit places on a whim,” Emily Rankin said.

“You only get out of life what you put into it.”

Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE Worthington Township resident Brian Poling photographed Monday in Armstrong County.  

Brian Poling of Worthington and his mom, Beverly Miller of Arthurdale, W. Va., are still grieving the death of their brother and son, respectively.

“On Mother’s Day, it’s special. It’s just me and her,” said Poling, a contractor. “We remember my brother Brad Poling.”

Brian said his mother’s advice about life has been a guiding light as he turns 50 this week.

“It gave me respect for people and to respect good karma. I’ve done a lot of free things for veterans, and it’s really given me a better life. I treat everybody the same. I don’t look down on nobody,” Poling said. “I highly respect my mother for what she sacrificed to make me a better person.”

“Never stop. Never give up.”

The late Ruby Sims (front left) pictured with her two children, Carlos McDay of Robinson Township and Tiffany McDay of Atlanta.  

Carlos McDay of Robinson is heeding his late mother Ruby Sims’ advice.

He grew up in Georgia on the outskirts of Atlanta and said his mom faced hardships juggling motherhood and work.

His mom died four years ago, and Mother’s Day is an emotional holiday for McDay.

“She worked three jobs as a single mom,” McDay said. “She never stopped. She worked hard and instilled that in both my sister and me.”

McDay is enrolled in the physician’s assistant program at Carlow University.

“We’ll be remembering our mother this Mother’s Day. I think my mom would say she’s very proud of me, especially because she did see me graduate from college.”

“Live simply and with character.”

Courtesy of Addie Perkins Addie Perkins of Aspinwall takes a selfie with her mother, Kit Perkins of Fox Chapel.  

Addie Perkins likes to live a simplified lifestyle, and she has her mother in part to thank for inspiring her way of life.

“Her best advice has always been to live simply and with character. Simplicity in everything is so much better than overdoing it — in style, food, family, advice and thought,” Perkins said.

She describes her mom, Kit Perkins of Fox Chapel, as “timeless” and says her mother doesn’t chase trends.

“Classics in every category never go out of style,” Addie Perkins said.

“Don’t borrow sorrow from tomorrow.”

Dianne Bohaychick of Allegheny Township still uses the best advice passed down from her late mother, Dot Piotrowski.

“Don’t try to worry about things,” said Bohaychick, 69. “My grandmother told my mother that. I try to use this in my life. She wanted us to be adventurous and not be afraid to fly in an airplane. When you’re a worrier, you’re a worrier, and it can be hard to break that.”

“Never limit yourself.”

Mother Jess Sides of Indiana, Pa., flanked by her daughters Abby (left) of Leechburg and Loissa Sides (right) in the undated photo.  

Abby Sides owns a cleaning business and credits her mom, Jess Sides, for providing an example of strength.

“My mom told me never to limit myself to what I can accomplish and strive for,” Abby Sides said.

The Leechburg resident, 20, grew up in a female household alongside big sister Loissa Sides, 21.

“As a single mother, she exemplified resilience and poured her heart into providing for me and my sister,” Abby Sides said. “She’s taught us to embrace authenticity, defy expectations and to pursue our aspirations with confidence.”

“And if at first you don’t succeed (Oh), Then dust yourself off and try again. You can dust it off and try again, try again.”

A line from singer Aaliyah’s hit song from the 2000s holds special meaning for Elijah Mojocha of Harrison.

Mojocha describes his mother, Michelle Majocha, as one of his biggest cheerleaders.

“Those were the words of wisdom and inspiration my mom has always given me,” said Mojocha, an employee at Growing Minds Educational Center and the youngest member of the Highlands School District School Board.

Mojocha said his mom’s positive encouragement always cheers him up.

“It’s always been a fond memory of mine because she would bust out and dance to the lyrics of that song,” he said.

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