I just read today’s amazing Pants post and this one back to back and I feel like I’m watching a movie and/or a solo show except maybe with two people — and this is my way of saying that the storytelling truth telling visionary writing opens up whole worlds like great cinema or theater. And then just on the level of sharing a window into your reality, I am grateful to be granted access and connection and send you a hug and appreciation.
Jodi, your dad's secret is something I've never heard of, intravaginal ejaculation disorder, preventing ejaculation during intercourse. Can't imagine what kind of strange trip that takes a man on. A world in which you didn't exist would be a lesser world. I'm so happy you exist and are in my life and in the world.
It explained everything about the tension I'd always felt in our relationship; revealed so much about what he must have felt and I could see a lot of what he'd done as his way of compensating - the creating other personas, lying, nurturing an air of mystery and so on. He was hiding himself from himself. I can't even imagine how painful all that must have been, carrying around the shame of it because in his era, that kind of things would never have been spoken about, never have had the opportunity to seek help. I'm sure he *never* even talked about it in therapy. Gave me a lot of compassion for my big scary dad. 🩵
I found your imaginings of the multiverse of your parents’ alternative lives fascinating, Jodi. I wonder how else things might have been for my own parents (both now dead) if society had been different or they’d taken other paths. But I’m very glad to be here, and I’m very glad you’re here!
But my dear, you were born. And I for one am so grateful that you got here, however you got here. I'm sorry for all the pain each of you experienced. I, too, am the daughter of two people who NEVER should have married, much less have kids together. My dad was gay, and closeted, and my mother didn't know that she deserved and should have waited for better options. And in many ways they loved each other a lot. Go figure.
I just read today’s amazing Pants post and this one back to back and I feel like I’m watching a movie and/or a solo show except maybe with two people — and this is my way of saying that the storytelling truth telling visionary writing opens up whole worlds like great cinema or theater. And then just on the level of sharing a window into your reality, I am grateful to be granted access and connection and send you a hug and appreciation.
Jodi, your dad's secret is something I've never heard of, intravaginal ejaculation disorder, preventing ejaculation during intercourse. Can't imagine what kind of strange trip that takes a man on. A world in which you didn't exist would be a lesser world. I'm so happy you exist and are in my life and in the world.
It explained everything about the tension I'd always felt in our relationship; revealed so much about what he must have felt and I could see a lot of what he'd done as his way of compensating - the creating other personas, lying, nurturing an air of mystery and so on. He was hiding himself from himself. I can't even imagine how painful all that must have been, carrying around the shame of it because in his era, that kind of things would never have been spoken about, never have had the opportunity to seek help. I'm sure he *never* even talked about it in therapy. Gave me a lot of compassion for my big scary dad. 🩵
I found your imaginings of the multiverse of your parents’ alternative lives fascinating, Jodi. I wonder how else things might have been for my own parents (both now dead) if society had been different or they’d taken other paths. But I’m very glad to be here, and I’m very glad you’re here!
I'm very glad you're here and Elayne loves the shit out of you.
I'm glad I'm here too, but as far as Elayne loves me? Past tense. She has no idea who I am 99% of the time.
But my dear, you were born. And I for one am so grateful that you got here, however you got here. I'm sorry for all the pain each of you experienced. I, too, am the daughter of two people who NEVER should have married, much less have kids together. My dad was gay, and closeted, and my mother didn't know that she deserved and should have waited for better options. And in many ways they loved each other a lot. Go figure.