MARILYN HAGERTY: Mom's reminders, doled out with love

"Clean your room."

"Chew with your mouth closed."

''Let's think about it."

... This is Mother's Day and as we pay homage, we think of all the things mothers say. They basically are quite alike through the years as they want the best for their children.

They say:

"Dinner at six - be here or call."

"I don't care what other parents say. You do what I say."

"Chew with your mouth closed."

"Clean your room."

"Eat your breakfast."

"Mind your manners."

"Brush your teeth."

When mothers are angry, they tend to call children by two names: Mary Marie, Robert Gordon, Emily Ann.

Mothers sometimes say:

"All I want is a little peace and quiet."

"Try one bite ..."

"Go to your room. You are grounded."

"You can start over. Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but names will never hurt you."

"Take out the garbage."

"Don't roll your eyes at me."

"Sit at that table until you finish your green beans."

Things mothers say vary only slightly over the years. Sometimes they get prophetic and say: "This above all-to thine own self be true."

Or they just simply say, "Don't make trouble for yourself."

"Don't talk to strangers" is age-old advice.

"Buckle up" has become standard advice.

"Get home before dark."

"Turn down your radio" has changed to "Turn off your television."

"Quit that texting at the dinner table" has become the universal command.

Mothers still ask that you pay attention and they plead, "Listen to me." And when all else fails, they say, "Go ask your father."

This is Mother's Day. In our hearts we honor the those who have gone on ahead and the mothers who today are leading the way.