Mom was the greatest influence of my childhood. She wanted to

The words of Ethel Waters ring with the deep reverence of one who has looked back upon the turbulent waters of youth and recognized the guiding hand that steadied her vessel. She speaks of her mother’s influence, a power greater than the chaos of the world around her. “Mom was the greatest influence of my childhood,” she declares, and in these words we hear not merely the praise of a daughter, but the eternal truth that in times of corruption, temptation, and decay, it is often the love of a parent that stands as a fortress against the storm.

The world she describes was no gentle place. It was filled with vice, lust, and drinking—forces that have brought countless souls to ruin across the ages. These forces are not new; they were known in the taverns of Rome, in the courts of Babylon, in the marketplaces of Athens. The ancients warned us that pleasure untamed becomes the chain that enslaves the spirit. Yet in the midst of such shadows, her mother sought to preserve her, to shield her from the path that would devour her destiny. It is a reminder that often the mightiest warriors are not those who wield sword or spear, but those who wield patience, love, and sacrifice.

One may recall the tale of Saint Augustine, whose youth was spent chasing the fleeting fires of lust and the intoxications of worldly desire. He was ensnared by pleasures, wandering far from wisdom. Yet it was his mother, Monica, who prayed for him without ceasing, who wept for his soul, who shielded him in spirit until the light of truth reached his heart. Augustine later became one of the greatest voices of Christian thought, but he himself confessed that without the steadfast love of his mother, he might have been lost forever. This ancient tale mirrors Waters’ truth: that a mother’s devotion can rescue a child from the abyss.

In her acknowledgment, Ethel Waters does more than honor her mother; she uncovers the hidden battle that rages in every childhood. Each child stands at the crossroads between ruin and redemption. Around them swirl voices of temptation, urging them to cast aside innocence for the illusions of pleasure. Yet if there stands a mother—or any figure of steadfast love—who says, “No, I will shield you,” then the child gains a chance to rise above the mire. Such guardianship is no small task; it requires courage as great as any hero of legend.

The lesson for us is plain and powerful: never underestimate the influence of love. Words of guidance spoken by a parent, a mentor, or even a friend may one day be the rope that pulls another soul from the pit. Influence is not always loud, nor does it always bear immediate fruit. It may seem that the child resists, that the wayward soul turns deaf to counsel. But the seed planted in love often grows in silence until the day it blossoms into strength.

And to the children who receive such guidance, let Waters’ words be a reminder to honor it. For to dismiss such love is to cast away the very shield that protects one’s destiny. Gratitude must be carried like a banner, not hidden in silence. As the ancients said: “He who forgets the hand that raised him will stumble, but he who honors it will stand firm.”

Therefore, let every reader take this teaching to heart. If you are a parent, be steadfast in the watch over your children. Shield them not only with rules, but with compassion and example. If you are a child, recognize that the restrictions and cautions given to you may not be chains, but wings—guarding you until you can fly on your own. And if you are one who stands among friends and companions, remember that influence is not limited to family. By your words and deeds, you too may save another from the abyss.

In the end, the truth remains eternal: love is the fortress, guidance is the weapon, and influence is the torch. Ethel Waters’ tribute to her mother is not just the story of one life—it is the story of countless generations, passed down through the ages, reminding us that in the battle between light and shadow, it is often a mother’s love that tips the scales toward salvation.