Among the many lessons my mother taught me, “don’t be mean, don’t be stupid” (I’m paraphrasing) ranks pretty highly. Equal with this was the other lesson that life is hard for everyone for some reason. Everyone you meet has a story and is probably having a hard time in some aspect of their lives, do why not be kind? (She also taught me about beat poetry, sterling silver hallmarks, the stock market, and how to use a power drill, but those are less germane to this Shaker hymn.) These were two wonderfully important lessons for any kid to learn and this Mother’s Day I’m reminded, as I usually am, that all checks and money orders should be sent to her, not me, if you find me to be an agreeable person.