Wishing you both..............

My mother was the most incredible person I've ever met. I often wonder what she might have become had she been in a healthy, loving relationship. She was strong. How she managed to raise 2 little girls into loving women in such an abusive, negative environment is a testament to her strength, focus and loving heart. Smart. Although she never finished high school, she was a genius with math and very well read. Instilled her love of poetry and Shakespeare's works in me. Funny. She was great at making ordinary situations fun...found humor in everything - even my father! She laughed at herself easily. Loving. Not just toward my sister and I. She loved people, often in spite of themselves. A person had to work really hard to make it impossible for her to find something lovable about 'em. Generous. She never had much...not money or material things, but she did what she could for everyone she knew. Helped the neighbor raise his kids and run his house after his wife abandoned him and 3 kids. She took care of our house, his house, my sister and I, plus his 3 kids for 5 years, until he died. She took care of her mother and her best friend through their illnesses. She cared for each of them for years until their deaths. She taught me that 'you take care of your own'. She worked so hard. Cleaned house for people to make the money that kept us fed and clothed...and kept her own spotless, too. She knew just about everything about gardening and native plants, and she could tell the best ghost stories of anyone I know! She used to scare the 'willies' out of us when we'd 'camp out' in the backyard with her.

She was my best friend, my moral compass, my confidante, my favorite companion, and I don't think I will ever 'get over' losing her.

My mother is amazing, loving, funny, aggrevating, infuriating, nurturing, controlling, helpful, critical and truth is I couldn't live without her.

She is my biggest supporter and my worst enemy. I couldn't have gotten through this last year and a half without her but if she thinks you've been down too long, she'll kick ya in the teeth just to get you to stand up.

As I've grown, I've learned to take the good with the bad. I now understand the love a parent has for their child and at times you have to do what's hard to do what's right.

I also have my own house so I can run away and not answer the phone.

She worked hard to ensure that we had a nice place to live, food on the table, clothing, etc. -- she was good at what she did, rose through the ranks, and became one of the best-paid women in the company. I think this was actually a bone of contention for my father, the fact that she (deservedly) made so much more money than he did.

She just wasn't particularly interested in being a parent -- she did it (and admitted as much) more out of expectation and social inertia than out of any real desire to be a parent. It was just 'something people do." I basically raised myself (with the help of 2 grandmothers and an amazingly devoted housekeeper, who became my 3rd grandmother in every way but biological) and it was not always an easy process.

My only beef with her, in any event, is that I wish she would have thought it all out before deciding to follow the "norm" and become a parent. Other than that, I can have no real issues with anything else she did -- for many, many reasons, I wish she was still here today. I think I would be much more able to express my love and appreciation to her now, than I ever did when she was alive.

i have a great mother
i also have a great father

they've always been wonderful parents, wonderful people and great spouses for each other.

they have never let me down, never broken a promise, and have always been there whenever i needed them. they have little quirks that drive me crazy (as i suppose i do for them as well) but they are truly my best friends and i'm so lucky to have been born to them and not someone else.

I hated my mother. She's since passed on. I don't miss her. Can't get any more honest than that.

before she remarried (when I was 17) it was always her, my sister and me. We are still somewhat close and always will be, but the situation keeps her at a distance. I don't need the toxin in my life and I would gladly go to the movies or diner or something with her, but not with her husband.

She is a great mom, but in her older years, she is scared of being alone and so she puts up with her husband. I don't put up with him though.

It's more that she is older and scared and insecure.

My mom passed away in 1997, and I miss her every day. She was the strongest person (emotionally) I've ever known -- she would have to be, to have put up with the way my father treated her for so many years -- she was smart and funny and dedicated to her work. She never should have had kids, though, as she had absolutely no aptitude for it.

Honestly...I don't speak to my mom very much any more. She doesn't stand up to her husband and all of the things he does. She basically just doesn't want to be alone and will let him do things to her kids and grandkids that aren't right.

it's not personal at all. I gave a few examples of jokes I just don't like at all.

What is in good taste can depend on the situation, the joke subject and how well I know someone.

Example: a date. The way I was brought up is that you don't tell controversial jokes until you know the person and whether or not they are ok with it. To me that is respect. I know not everyone is raised that way.

As I said...I can't stop someone from telling stories or jokes that I don't like unless they are in my house. It is their right to do so, just as my actions are my right and I can accept the reactions by them. If they are offended if I tell them I don't like it, not laugh or walk away...that is their right and we probably wouldn't make a good match any way.

This thread is about how each individual handles these situations. Some have said they aren't offended and laugh only if they think it's funny. That is how they handle it. Some say they voice their opinion or walk away.

Curvy chicks rule!!

I just speak my mind. Whether I'm offended, angry or just talking to hear myself talk....I speak my mind. Most people don't have to wonder about me in real life. If I am mad....you will know it. If I'm happy...you will know it. I'm pretty much an open book. Not much I won't talk about, debate, speak my mind, whatever. It's who I am and I'm not changing for anyone. If someone doesn't like it, then that is their right. If I speak my mind when i should probably bite my tongue, then I can accept the reactions to it.