We may no longer remember every single detail of our childhood, but there are some memories that stick with us for life.
I don't remember what I ate on a specific day when I was eight years old, but I sure do recall going on fun trips with my family at that age and I also clearly remember the things some of my classmates have said about me.
It's been decades, but every once in a while some of their words (good and bad) come to mind.
This is why one mom had to make sure her daughter understood the power of words before she started her first day of middle school.
Amy Beth Gardner could've had a simple talk with her daughter, Breonna, about why it's important to choose the words we speak carefully, but instead, she decided to impart her wisdom through a visual lesson that the young girl will carry with her for life.
Gardner then took to Facebook to share the important lesson with her fellow parents.
In the viral post, which has been shared over 1.8 million times, the mom explained that after they have "decorated her [Breonna] locker, bought new uniforms," and "even surprised her with a new backpack," they still had one of the most important activities left to do.
Gardner asked 11-year-old Breonna to squeeze toothpaste onto a plate, then she told her to put the sticky product back into the tube. Of course, the pre-teen couldn't do the impossible and her mother knew that.
She's used the squeezed toothpaste as a metaphor for words leaving our mouth.
"You will remember this plate of toothpaste for the rest of your life. Your words have the power of life or death. As you go into middle school, you are about to see just how much weight your words carry.""You are going to have the opportunity to use your words to hurt, demean, slander and wound others. You are also going to have the opportunity to use your words to heal, encourage, inspire and love others. You will occasionally make the wrong choice; I can think of three times this week I have used my own words carelessly and caused harm."
"Just like this toothpaste, once the words leave your mouth, you can't take them back. Use your words carefully, Breonna. When others are misusing their words, guard your words. Make the choice every morning that life-giving words will come out of your mouth. Decide tonight that you are going to be a life-giver in middle school. Be known for your gentleness and compassion. Use your life to give life to a world that so desperately needs it. You will never, ever regret choosing kindness."
Gardener admitted to Today that while the idea may not be original, she did think of it while brushing her teeth one night and knew it was the best way to make sure her daughter was ready for the school year ahead.
"I had been thinking for weeks about how my daughter was entering middle school and how I wanted to prepare her as best as I could."
So did the lesson work? Gardner, who adopted Breonna and her sister, Bridget, 7, thinks so.
After the activity, she and Breonna took some time to discuss personal examples of situations in which words played big roles.
"As a parent, I want Breonna to draw from my strengths and learn from my weaknesses," she told Today.
The mom-of-two also added that because Breonna and her sister had a rocky start in life, she and her husband Paul make sure to put in even more effort in order to instill these types of lessons in their girls so they grow up to be great adults.
It looks like she's doing a fantastic job, and has inspired so many parents along the way.