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Mary's avatar

My mother told me I didn't have "nice arms.". I actually think she's right on this front - they're not my best feature and I'd sooner die than wear sleeveless! But she also gave me the underhanded compliment of "I had made my peace that you were going to be pretty average looking, but you're a little better than I thought!"

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Tara Smith's avatar

"A little better." Eeeeek! We need a support group. Thanks Mary!

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David Burse's avatar

Thanks for the laughs. Too much political crapola out there. I needed the relief.

I don't recall my mother making any snarky remarks about my body, but now I'm going to have to ask my sister.

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Tara Smith's avatar

Thank you David! The real news is terrifying so I try to read something that makes me laugh everyday.

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David Burse's avatar

Try not to be "terrified". It's rarely terrifying. Depressing, annoying, ridiculous, maddening, sure. But not terrifying.

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Nicole Roskill's avatar

My mom used to refer to my nose as my “schnoz”, and comment on my “thin hair” and “child-bearing hips.” I remember feeling hurt at the time but now I can only laugh at these opinions. Big hugs to you!

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Tara Smith's avatar

Thank you! I am certain that my own daughters will one day be sharing information with the world about the things I said to them and I hope they will have the grace to laugh about it all!

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ZSF's avatar

This was so funny, love your writing. I *still* remember a vaguely negative comment my mom made about an outfit I tried on in a JC Penny dressing room in 1986. 🫠

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Tara Smith's avatar

Thank you! What is it about dressing rooms and moms and "brutal" honesty? And I can still conjure the "new clothes" smell of my local JC Penney - I loved it so much!

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David Burse's avatar

Fwiw, my father worked for JC Penny for many years in the 1960s and 70s. Sometime after he passed away, my mother was contacted by an insurance company (they know people die from the social security system) and turns out he had a life insurance benefit she had no idea about. Was a years salary (but without inflation). Something like $6800. We all had a good laugh, but still, they kept their side of the bargain

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