Mothers play a crucial role in our lives. Not only do they usher us kicking and screaming into this world; they’re the parental half we seek comfort from, are nourished by and interact with the most during childhood – and for many of us, throughout our adult lives.

Our vocabulary of wisdom teems with “momisms.” As an adult, we still seek out and note our mothers’ advice. The Press gathered a handful of momisms from East County residents who were quick to share advice or mantras offered by their mothers and cherished for years:

“My mother’s advice to me was ‘life is what you make it, so make the most out of life.’”

– Ann Marie Contreras, 53, Oakley

“My mom told me ‘you go to school, you get good grades, and everything else will pretty much take care of itself.’ She pursued that in her own life and has done very well for herself.”

– Jason Berlin, 38, Oakley

“My mother’s advice was never relayed in English, but in Singlish (Singaporean English), and it means a lot to me. ‘Brokee onna eppa’ in English means something like “do not lie about who you are; be yourself and do not let people be fake to you.”

– Jazmine Karunaratne, 16, Pittsburg

“I think the best advice or attribute my mom gave me was truth. I think back to the time when I was 8, lying on my bed and looking out the window. My mom came in and lay down next to me, and we both put our chins in our hands. And that’s when she told me there was no Santa Claus.”

– Chris Thomas, 53, Brentwood

“When I get into fights with my friends, my mom reminds me to ‘treat others the way you want to be treated.’ And ‘if you’re thinking of doing something bad, remember: if you wouldn’t do it in front of a parent or a principal – don’t do it!’”

– Savannah Hopp, 11, Oakley

“My mom always says ‘be nice to your mother.’ I guess I’m mean to her. So it’s a reminder to always be nice to your mother because your mother does everything for you.”

– Christopher Charter, 27, Brentwood

“My mother told me that ‘education and salvation is the key to success,’ and with them, I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.”

– Lucille Killingsworth, 82, Antioch

Motherhood isn’t for the weak willed, and it’s a true test of strength to endure, say, those troublesome twos or those volatile teen years. And yet our mothers wake up every day and care for us to the best of their ability, and for this feat of strength I’m truly grateful. This Mother’s Day, cut mom a little slack and heed her momisms, unbidden or otherwise. Sometimes, mothers really do know best.