11 Comments
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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

Jodi, my favorite line, nobody can push your buttons like the folks that installed them. Ha!

I love how you love each other, absolutely endearing along with the photos. Thank you so much happy mamas day to your mama. And all the things that you have given birth to… also mothering your mother tenderness, humor, and infinite love.

I am always happy to give you my eyeballs and ears!

🌹

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

I wish I could say I came up with that, but I heard it somewhere along the way, many times actually, in recovery. It’s true.

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Cindy Martindale's avatar

Do you know what a great writer you are? You are warm, funny, and provide the perfect details to let us see what you see. I'm so glad you have this particular memory and even happier you shared it with us. I love how you loved your mom years ago and still do. ❤

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

I do, and she was fully adorable with that boyfriend. It meant a lot to see her finally appreciated the way she deserved. Thank you for your kind words and for the restack.

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Leslie Senevey's avatar

Just a beautiful reflection - of her and of you and your tender (under all the barbed wire) heart. Loved it.

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

Ah, the barbed wire. Pretty rust at this point…

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Sarah Hauser's avatar

So beautifully written. The way you write feels so filmic . Can visualize and feel these scenes so clearly. The honesty, the love… so beautiful. ❤️

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

Thanks, Sarah.

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Kim Smyth's avatar

You're so blessed to still have your mom. I miss my own, and hate mother’s day when it rolls around since I also lost my mother-in-law.

My three sons feel obligated to at least call, but unless their dad forced or prompted them, never gave me anything (they were too self-absorbed.) So I hate it for that reason also, but like you said, its just a made up holiday anyway.

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Kim Smyth's avatar

Awe, much appreciated. 😘💕

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Jodi Sh. Doff's avatar

It’s actually a hard holiday for so many folks. I never wanted kids, but because I’m the age I am (nonna/abuela/gilf) I always get “Happy Mother’s Day.” It annoys me, the assumption that all women must be mothers, but more to the point, how painful that kind of assumption must be for women who wanted to have kids and didn’t/couldn’t. Or did, and they’ve passed on, or are no longer on speaking terms and so on. Not sure what the answer is, people are just trying to be nice, but still.

I’m sorry about your boys. Please allow me to wish you a very wonderful day, in lieu of them, in lieu of the fact that I could say it to my mom till the cows come home and it would mean nothing at this point.

Birthdays should always be celebrations of mothers as well, as we did absolutely nothing to make the happen, it was all the moms. I hereby give you permission to treat yourself to something completely selfish tomorrow, just because you fucking deserve it. 💪🏼🩷

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