Before I start this post, I would like to say that Dorothy is in my thoughts and prayers during this time in her life, as I am sure that she is in everyone else.

I was asked to do a guest post while Dorothy is out for her surgery and I have been thinking about what to write about. Now I am 24 years old and I have been through so much; marriage, child birth, surgeries, medical illness, divorce, loss of loved ones and I am sure I could write pages of what I have been through, but what I would like to write about is Dorothy.

You have heard Dorothy talk about David, who happens to be my father (he was also my boss).

I first met Dorothy when I was 18 years old and just found out that I was pregnant with my daughter. She wanted to help me out making extra money, so she had me come in 2-3 days at work and help out. This meant a lot to me, seeing as I had no experience what-so-ever. At first I was just doing small things like filing and typing things. As the years passed I learned so much about Real Estate and gained a position in her office. Dorothy always said that she wanted to me succeed and gave me all the advice I could ever have, never did her wise words ever fall on deft ears. As time passed I worked full-time absorbing all the knowledge I could take in, I even became a Licensed Real Estate Agent, thanks to Dorothy.

I was young and a first time mom at the age of 19. She would tell me stories of what had happened in her life or her daughters and it would hit home. If I had a problem with something I knew that she would give me great advice which I could use.

During those years with working Dorothy I became a mom, a wife and a divorcee. I had two children within 18 months apart. I actually asked Dorothy how I would tell my dad (David) that I was pregnant again (she knew how he “thought”; I swear you would think that they were brother and sister the way that they are together).

Now please don’t think that while having Dorothy as my boss was all pleasure (or David for a matter of fact), she had her moments that you knew she meant business and things needed to get done. She would critic me on so many things and at first I would get so frustrated (I was young and thought I knew it all, I was proven wrong) but she was actually teaching me things I never knew. She always had my best interest in mind.

In 2006 I lost someone very dear to me, my Granny. My Granny was someone who I could go to anything with and she was there for me, I was so close to her and she unexpectedly passed away.

Dorothy may not realize this, but she stepped a little bit into that Grandmother role for me. She would take me for lunches/dinners, take me on shopping trips (which she does for her granddaughters), just sit and talk to me and be there for me. If something was bothering me, she automatically knew, like a grandmother’s instinct. If I was hesitant about talking to her because my dad being around, she would take me in her office and just let me spill all my thoughts and feelings. What she did for me helped me in so many ways, no one will ever know.

When going through my divorce a year ago, she told me to stay positive. My divorce wasn’t easy on my kids; I learned to deal with it without much distress. I had a very low self esteem at that time, I was extremely overweight and thought to myself who is going to want an overweight 24 with baggage and has medical problems that will not allow me to have children anymore. To me, I think my divorce was the best thing to happen as so many things were going wrong with it. It wasn’t easy starting over as a single mother of 2 children and living off of one income, and there father only seeing them 2 days out of a month, but Dorothy stepped in with her grandmother instincts. She would tell me I am such a great mother and encourage me to strive for the things I didn’t think I was good enough to get.

About 3 months ago I put my two-week notice in at work. The hardest thing for me to do was to tell Dorothy, I didn’t want to let her down. If I was sick I would still make it to work because I knew that she needed someone there. As I told Dorothy I was moving on to a different journey in my life the tears started. I knew the reason I was able to move on was because of Dorothy, for all the extra things that she did for me, it is because of her. My dad was very distraught because I was leaving; he had a heart attack the year before and was actually out on medical leave for back surgery. He didn’t know what the office was going to do, but Dorothy told me she would handle him and she was so happy for me and if I ever needed anything from her she would be there for me. I was sad to leave my job; only because I lost seeing people I love everyday.

Even though I don’t work with Dorothy (and the rest of the gang), I still go there 2-3 times a week and have lunch, it feels like I never left. Dorothy is still has that grandmother instinct and can tell if something is affecting me.

Dorothy is loved by so many people (me included) and without her I don’t know if I would be where I am today. I know that Dorothy will make it through her surgery and recover just fine, because she is a fighter and still has so much to teach me (and many others). I can honestly say that I am blessed to know and have Dorothy in my life.

5 Responses to “Appreciate the people in you life and let them know how you feel a guest post from Jodi”

1. grammolo on January 21st, 2008 at 5:17 pm

   Thank you for your guest post Jodi. What a great tribute to our amazing Dorothy. Our collective love surrounds her.

   Linda Davis from Grammology

2. FENICLE on January 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 am

   What an amazing story you have Jodi. Thank you for sharing. I hope you are moving on to bigger things! I am sure Dorothy shares similar feelings for you and your family.

3. Robin on January 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 am

   So true…I can totally relate!!!! Dorothy is always giving….and giving good advice! love and prayers to you Jodi (don’t know if you remember me) and Dorothy!!!
   Robin

4. Daisy on January 26th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

   Is Dorothy blushing as she reads this? She probably doesn’t even know what a gem she is.

5. grammolo on February 4th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

   Daisy, this made me feel wonderful. I always try to look at all things before I make a judgment. Jodi and I have such a great friendship. She never hesitated to share her thoughts with me no matter what they were. I loved that as I respect the truth. This made me realize more then not when you care about someone it comes back..many times and sometimes when you need it most..and Daisy as I am going through the cancer stuff…this post made me feel great. Thanks for stopping hope to see you here again..

   My best, Dorothy