From reminders that 'life is unfair' to lessons about grace, service and forgiveness, each staff member shared memories of their mothers that stay with them years later.

Choosing happy, every day

"My mom has always told me to ‘choose happy.’ Growing up, it wasn’t just a saying in our house — it was a way of life. There was a sign in our kitchen that read those exact words, and every time I left for school, she would call out, ‘Don’t forget! Choose happy!’

At the time, it felt like a simple reminder before heading out the door. But over the years, I’ve realized it was more than that. It was her way of teaching me that I have a choice in how I respond to life, even when things are stressful, frustrating or uncertain. My mom showed me that choosing happy doesn’t mean ignoring hard things. It means choosing gratitude, choosing patience and choosing to keep going anyway.

It’s something I didn’t fully understand when I was younger, but I find myself thinking about it more now. Even today, I still hear her voice when I leave the house: ‘Don’t forget! Choose happy.' And I don't think I ever will forget. Thank you, Mom." wrote Victoria De Guzman, Scroll Managing Editor.

Life is unfair

"Mothers are awesome, but especially my mom. I may be a little biased, but she is the best mother on the planet and no one can ever really compete with her. She’s caring, kind, hard working and a little bit of a jokester. She’s also very sarcastic and witty.

One of the things that she would tell me constantly is that 'life is unfair.' Granted, this would always come after I would claim that things were unfair whenever I didn’t get what I wanted, but the point still stands. Life is indeed very unfair.

But, between those reminders, she never failed to show me how much she loved me and always wanted what was best for me. I hope to be at least half the parent to my future kids that she is to me." wrote Aidan Gertson, Scroll Desk Editor and Reporter.

Being excellent to each other

"'Be excellent to each other.' Although a quote from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures, it was my mom's motto for our family growing up. This sums her up pretty well, silly humor and teasing rolled up with a nugget of wisdom.

In the moment, her advice was easy to brush off but impossible to forget. I'd crack a smile at her reverence for a quote in a ridiculous movie, but Bill, Ted and my mom aren't wrong. Being excellent to each other means being happy for others. Their successes are your successes. When you don't get the promotion or the date, be happy for those who got it. Celebrate others.

Be a team player. Be excited. Be excellent to each other." wrote Emily Ormston, Scroll Assignments Editor.

Service without pause

"My mom can do everything. Well, almost everything, she doesn't know how to take a break. She is always doing something whether that is spending time managing the house, working on her personal achievements or thinking of and doing things for others.

The church is a big part of her life and she taught me how to love God and love others. We went to every service project, and my mom always helped other people on top of that. Her example of service has been a foundation for the way I care about and take care of others." wrote Alejandra Perry, Scroll Multi Media Editor.

Faith in practice

"My mother is an angel. She raised me on the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I remember her always saying, 'put your faith in the Savior and you’ll be okay.'  She showed this when she wrangled us kids to meet as a family every Monday evening. She made sure we attended church–even on vacations–and she never let us miss a family scripture study.

Through the years, she’s been patient with me as I’ve struggled and loved me as only a mother could. I have witnessed the sacredness of a mother’s roll through my mom. She really is an angel to me." wrote Harrison Kelley, Scroll Broadcast Producer.

Grace in a milkshake drive-thru

"Once, in my teens,  my mom and I got into an argument on the way home from school. I don’t remember what the argument was about exactly, what I do remember is what happened after the argument.

She pulled into the drive-thru of Stake ‘n Shake and asked me which milkshake I wanted. I was surprised and felt a twinge of shame as I murmured 'Mom, I’m not sure I deserve this.' She replied 'it’s not always about what we deserve.' That’s when I started to understand what grace looks like. I won’t soon forget it.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! Thanks for teaching me such valuable lessons with your actions and your words." wrote Sam Doty, Scroll Reporter.

Learning as we go

"'It’s your first time being a kid, and it’s my first time being a mom. We’re just learning.' A small simple phrase, said to me by my mother, but it has followed me throughout my life. 'We’re just learning,' she reminded me every time I messed up. And again after fights in high school. And again as I learned to be an adult in college.

My mom taught me that it's okay not to know everything. She didn't expect me to know how to be a perfect person yet. As I hated myself for small mistakes, she would be there. 'We're just learning.' I got better at forgiving myself.

Thank you mom, for teaching me it's okay to be human." wrote Isabella Garn, Scroll Desk Editor and Reporter.

While every relationship between a mother and child looks different, the stories shared by Scroll staff members reflect a common thread: the people who raise us often shape us in ways we do not fully understand until years later. Whether through humor, faith, service or simple repeated phrases, these mothers left behind lessons that continue to be carried forward long after childhood ends.

From the staff of Scroll, 'Happy Mother's Day' to all mothers and mother figures.