16 Comments
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Nancy Dart's avatar

I see you, Trish! I see you reflected in your lovely granddaughter's words, and her reflected in you! Maddie, you have a lovely gift, coming directly from those stored in the eggs of your grandmother and your mother, and their grandmothers. It's up to you now, to create, to shine, and to continue to love fiercely, the gifts that have been passed on to you. Oh, the places you'll go, you girls!

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Trish McDonald's avatar

Thank you so much Nancy for your lovely comment 🥰

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Michelle Levy's avatar

Sometimes we have to do annoying things in life. I hope I haven’t permanently scarred my daughters by saying, “Smile, smile, smile,” in the same sing-songy tone when we walk into an event we kind of cringe at. A smile is so very close to a cringe or a grimace.

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Trish McDonald's avatar

So right Michelle, but they know what you mean, right? Like an insider’s recognition? Good discussion point though. Thanks for chiming in.

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Mansi's avatar

I write this often on the backs of my gratitude notes: “I see you. I appreciate you. I value you. Please don’t ever forget how loved you are.” You don’t have to know someone well to let them know that in that moment that you’re interacting with them you’re fully present, wholly appreciative and deeply grateful.

Love that you’re doing this, Trish! And that is an amazing sketch your granddaughter made!

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Trish McDonald's avatar

Thank you Mansi, I’m so proud of her work and decided Substack was the perfect place to showcase her art. I Am Here 🥰

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Pretty sure the first thing a man looks at in a woman is NOT her teeth. Sigh.

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Maureen C. Berry's avatar

Right? Lol

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Maureen C. Berry's avatar

Oh, Trish, I’m inspired by your words, I can better understand your message to me. Not that I misunderstood. But, yeah, thanks. I see you too friend. The mother-daughter dynamic sure is something. And Substack IS getting crowded and noisy. xo

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Mesa Fama's avatar

I see you, Trish 🩵🩵🩵🩵

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barbara newman's avatar

Oooh, I see you, Trish. You are a bright light and have a pretty darn good smile. You also have a talented granddaughter… I see those eyes. Xx

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Trish McDonald's avatar

Barbara, Thank you for your loving response. I am here!

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Elizabeth Bobrick's avatar

Poseidon! I need to know more about what he’s doing there.

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Trish McDonald's avatar

Elizabeth. Poseidon is from my debut novel, Paper Bags, published when I was 77 by Woodhall Press—it’s quite a story

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Elizabeth Bobrick's avatar

I asked because, one, it's intriguing; and two, I'm a classicist by training; and three, I noticed in some of your other posts some etymological explanations, which always delights me! If you are into classical antiquity, my Substack is "This Won't End Well: On Loving Greek Tragedy." (It's free, and only once a month). I'm about to turn 70; I think there are a lot of us here who have not given up because 'we're too old.'

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Trish McDonald's avatar

Ahhh, love to hear this. Yes, I’ll subscribe—I love your title—perfect!

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