15 Comments
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Sandi R.'s avatar

🫂 🫂 🫂 to you and Filha. The world is better with strong, expressive women in it, and when we all support them.

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Evan Farmer's avatar

Every child should have such loving and beautiful words written about, and to, them… what an incredible tribute.

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Amy's avatar

Your daughter sounds very similar to how my daughter was at that age. I was filling out an application for Girl Scout camp, and it asked, “Is your daughter a leader or a follower?” And I responded that she was neither. She would do what interested her, and if others wanted to join her, that would be fine, but if no one else wanted to go along, she’d do it alone. She wasn’t going to sell them on it, nor would she go along with a bunch of other girls if it wasn’t something she wanted to do. She is now 28, and as independent as she was then.

I hope you enjoy every stage of her childhood and her encroaching adulthood. 🙂

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Sheeby's avatar

This is beautiful. I LOVE that you leaned into the "funeral" theme!

Happy anniversary of being her mom!!

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Lori's avatar

It sounds like you are describing my older granddaughter who turns 11 on New Years Eve (only with red hair and green eyes which roll whenever someone says, 'OMG! that hair!')

What a lovely tribute to Filha!!! Fantastic writing. Thanks.

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Ellen's avatar

What a beautiful tribute to a wondrous, beautiful soul.

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Ken Anderson's avatar

Lovely writing here. Your daughter is lucky to have a Mom like you!

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Clyde Yoshida's avatar

Hi Ladonna! I really enjoyed reading this blog entry, especially since we've met you and your family.

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Sabrina Simpson's avatar

This is a wonderfully written tribute to both of you. How wonderful to honour her moving from 'childhood' in such a thoughtful and humorous way. Enjoy the journey! My daughter was delightful as a teenager, never changing much from the person she was as a child, and is still, 2 decades later.

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bob peckham's avatar

What a lovely tribute to a gal who is, seemingly (?), taking a bit of "I yam who I yam" from her Ma! Lovely writing, lovely tribute, e mais um obrigado e parabéns!

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Scott H-K's avatar

Happy belated birthday, Filha!

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Michael TenBrink's avatar

❤️😢🙂

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Anna Edmondson's avatar

So bittersweet. I love this character of a daughter you are raising. Your storytelling is delightful. Thank you.

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Carla Frank's avatar

My youngest looked at me in horror when my eldest hit the ugh teenage spot.. no lipstick and boys, just that horrid place where boundries get trashed. Youngest... hope i never get that way... I date not temind her. The eyecroll would be spectactular... she is now 18. I love both my girls hugely and fiercely.. you just say it much better than i ever could.

Here's to the girl people growing up!

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Cie Scattergood's avatar

That was absolutely wonderful. Filha i salute you—you are right, you’re never too old to howl like wolves.

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