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Some things we just cannot forget. Like harsh words from the people we want to impress most—our parents.

On May 3rd, assistant professor at Stockton University Emily Van Duyne tweeted a question: "Does anyone else ever remember a cruel thing your parent said to you [and] it takes the wind out of you? Even if it was almost ten years ago?" Turns out, they do.

Emily's tweet has received over 200,000 likes and plenty of comments where people revealed their parents' mean phrases that will probably stick with them for life, and the thread has become like a giant online mental health session.

"I want you all to know I am sorting through and reading and thinking of and trying to respond individually to each of these stories," Van Duyne wrote as the responses kept pouring in. "I'm making pasta and reminding myself to be tender with my kids and tender with myself, as much as humanly possible, always. Please do the same."

Continue scrolling and check out some of our hand-picked confessions. Sometimes, seeing other people vulnerable is all you need to uncover and deal with your own crap.

#1

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

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Dash Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope that you shove your success in your fathers face, and never let him meet his grandchildren. Okay. A bit harsh.

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    #3

    Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How often have people said: You could be so pretty if you just lost the weight.

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    According to Jessie-Anne Bird, a psychologist from Johannesburg, South Africa, we can be deeply wounded by the words of others. "If we are not careful, we can react in a way that may escalate things unnecessarily," Bird told Bored Panda.

    Instead, the psychologist suggested we use the STOP technique, and it looks like this:

    S: Stop. Wait before you react.

    T: Take a step back - give yourself some time and space from the situation.

    O: Observe what's going on inside and outside. Become aware of your thoughts and feelings, think about how they may be impacting your decision-making.

    P: Proceed mindfully - once you have an understanding of what is happening, and have thought through your options - then you will be in a position to make a choice about how to respond or react.

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    #4

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    crazy_cat_notAlady
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yes. the opp happened to me though. dad was sick for years (cancer). did everything I could and I couldn't. dropped out of a Ph.D. program to get a stable job to support his treatment and family costs. waited for years to hear him say for once that he was proud of me. never said anything...now it's too late. sometimes I wonder if I would view my life and career choices differently had he been actually proud of me, or if he cared.

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    #5

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    crazy_cat_notAlady
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    hey. u r beautiful. words can b harsh, but they can never strip u off ur beauty. glad u have found a good therapist. hope u continue to see the beauty of life and ur beauty too

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    Experts associate parent-child connectedness with a wide range of health indicators. Close, positive family relationships that feature open communication help young people stay healthy and avoid substance use and violent behavior.

    "We tend to use the perceptions of others to inform our self-view, and we might place more importance on the feedback we receive from those we value," Bird said. "When we hear hurtful things from those we love or esteem - they may hurt more because we are more likely to believe them."

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    Imi Lo, a psychotherapist, art therapist, and consultant for emotionally intense and highly sensitive people, thinks the relationship between a child and a parent is one of the most instinctively protective, loving, and nurturing things humans experience. So when such a connection is clouded with feelings of deep hurt and resentment, these negative emotions can follow people beyond childhood and adolescence into adulthood.

    "At the end of the day, you want to be able to cross over the bridge of resentment and move to a place of peace," Lo wrote in Psychology Today. "But however cliche this sounds, you need first to love yourself, embracing both the good and the bad, your ability to love, and your rage towards others. You must forgive yourself for your inability to forgive. You are a survivor for being here today. You deserve to live without emotional baggage."

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    If what you do grows into a deep sense of love for your parents, then the journey would have been worth it. If not, at least you know that you tried, and you will have no regrets.

    #10

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    Sheila Stamey
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honey, if you were mine, ( and my daughter published her first poem this year) I would have bought seventeen copies, because that's all they had left, framed copies of it, and COMPLETELY ANNOYED EVERYONE with the news. So for her sake and yours, look people, Courtney is my daughter, she published a poem and it's ridiculously GREAT STUFF! ( They don't publish them otherwise) and she's is an AWESOME freaking person!!!!!!! Unfortunately, her other mom can be a witch, but hey, whatever.

    Iggy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Congratulations to you too on having such a talented daughter! Her success is your success, which you clearly know. It's a pity her other mother is missing out on that joy.

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    Iggy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really think that could be jealousy. Getting published is a big deal (congratulations!). Some parents can't handle their children doing better in life than they have.

    Sweet Happiness
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Similar. My master’s thesis got published and there was a dedication “to my dear mother etc”. I gave her a copy. She said she wasn’t going to read it and will probably just throw it out anyway so I can just take it back. I knew she couldn’t read it or understand it, but that was not the point. I would never say that to my daughter. I keep all sorts of art that she makes.

    Aubrey Oleandereie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh I got the feeling. Was top of our class, recited poems every year on state level competitions, my parents never came. Wanted to be writer, was our language /literatures teacher's pet, but my father told me as six year old to my six pages story he wouldn't pay a dime for it, 'cos it got grammar errors. I lost any ambitions to achieve a carrier in the field and it hurts till this day. My sister believe the earth is flat (no joking) and my father still loves her more. 🤷‍♀️

    Miss Cris
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sorry. You van write now. You're now an adult and you don"t need anyone's permission anymore. We pandas are supporting you.

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    Womaninsky Kasinsky
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But why? My heart cries for these broken hearts. Some things I’ve never understood.

    Bobert Robertson
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a parent I would never HAVE to read it again, because I would memorize it like I wrote it myself

    deanna woods
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I color fuzz posters and I have done several for my family. My mother has all the ones I did for her and my dad hanging in their bedroom. She encourages me.

    sam puckett
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If she didnt like it she could have at least kept it to herself

    Sarah
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's horrible. I can so relate. One Christmas I made these really cute cinnamon stick tree decorations and gave some to my aunt. When it was time for us to go back home, Aunt said, "You might as well take these back with you. I don't have any use for them." I've always wished I'd said, "Gee, if I'd known that, I wouldn't have spent hours making them for you."

    Eva Schmutz
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow poems are hard especially with me you were able to make one and I bet it was amazing poem.

    Vanessa MacKenzie
    Community Member
    3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my daughter is an avid writer. I read everything she asks me to, but only once, as there are so many more she will give me to read. Or she's re-written something so it will not be the same as the first draft.

    Marianne Grann
    Community Member
    7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your Mom didn’t know how to read poetry - view that as a problem for HER!!

    Margaret Martin
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sooo glad my Mom kept most of mine in her "Special Books" case... the ones in her metal file box didn't fare too well.

    Frank Lesko
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was on the radio once. I was leading a one-hour conversation with another expert in our field. At the beginning, I did a shout out to my fiancee and dog who were home listening, and I also mentioned my mom and dad back home. I wasn't even supposed to do that, but I just improvised quickly and snuck it in there. In any case, the whole show was super nerve wracking and a big moment for me, wresting with difficult topics and callers who were upset with what we were saying. Afterwards, I was hoping for congratulations or celebratory words. I asked my mom and all she said was... "you never mentioned your sister.... she was hurt about that." And that was literally the only feedback I got. I had to practically beg to get any feedback. She finally said the guy I was talking to seemed nice (not one word about me). My dad and sister never said a word about it. A big moment of mine was crapped on because I didn't cater to my 45 year old sister. Yes, I realize I mentioned our dog but I'm not ashamed of that.

    Debby Marengo
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I gave a copy of a counted cross-stitch magazine I had a project posted in with my photo. She stuck it in a draw and never showed any of my siblings. Another sister got an article in a magazine and the world knew about it. I also made her a CCS picture and she stuffed it in a drawer. My sister-in-law made one that hangs on the wall.

    Jacqueline Conway
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She doesn’t deserve to have a talented daughter. She’s also possibly jealous.

    Penny Kemper
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd probably not read it again, but I would keep it. That is mean.

    Johnny Døpe
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    May b the poem was about the mother being a bitch who knows lol

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    #12

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Have you noticed how parents will utter any stupidity because they can't manage their own stress and will take it out on their children because no one else is around to hear them rant?

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    #14

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    Prilsy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's gaslighting and my father did it all the time to me. Still does and I'm almost 50.

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    #15

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    Grumble O'Pug
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing like getting belittled to make you feel better, right? Ugh

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    #18

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    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She’s 9 dad. She’s playing soccer which involves a lot of running (assuming she’s not the goalie) so back off!

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    #19

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People fail to realize that self-harming is a coping mechanism toward pain and anger. Mom made it worse by telling you should be ashamed of yourself. I hope that you were able to find the help you needed.

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    #20

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    Tami
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom is like this. She doesn't say she doesn't care, but she shows it by not showing interest and changing the subject. Meanwhile, she can blather on for 30-40 minutes about the toast she had for breakfast or how she sat out in the sun for awhile.

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    #21

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was growing up, and even into my teens, family friends would say how pretty I was. My mother would say, "Nah, she's not." And, then start to list all my faults. I'd either walk away or stand there, rolling my eyes. So, yeah, I feel you.

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    #22

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    Raine Soo
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd need therapy if I had to go through that rubbish too. Of course, I had my own battles with my mother.

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    #24

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    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thankfully we wear masks now so we don’t have to look at the faces of ugly trolls like your mom

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    #25

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    Jaime
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, I do that too, because of my ADHD. I really hate it, sometimes I say things that make people uncomfortable because I didn’t think before I spoke.

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    #27

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    #28

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    Raine Soo
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This isn't quite the same, but my mother told me that I had no patience for young children. She said this to me when I was 10 years old. I'm surprised that I turned out this well despite her negative attitude.

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    #30

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    #32

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    kasa alex
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mum had an emotionally abusive mother...so she went on to marry an emotionally abusive man who abused both her and us (myself and siblings)...now my older sister is emotionally abusive towards me...and possibly her step daughter... #intergenerationaltrauma

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    #33

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    H Edwards
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember one of the staff at the care home telling me not to cry when I realised that my mother really was dying. It certainly wasn't helpful.

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    #34

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My best friend is estranged from all her family members. And, in turn, they all seem to be estranged from one another. She said that growing up in her family, the environment was quite toxic, and she needed to get away from that. How bad was it? She said that she'd rather die than ask them for help.

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    #35

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can't tell you how many times my mother told me I was stupid. "Not as stupid as you," I would retort. And, then we'd be fighting again.

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    #36

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    Martha Meyer
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Okay, I think this was well meant, if wrong, advice, perhaps also said in a bad tone. I think OP here is probably very sensitive and had low self esteem at the time, so this hit harder than it might have otherwise.

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    #37

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    ninjaraph
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Parents do say things like that. I discover later in life it's about them, not you. They have insecurities. Please find the strength and self worth you deserve. Fight on!

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    #39

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    WildHoneyPie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Shoot, that's just not fair. Birthday money is Yours. Spend it as you please.

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    #40

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    Jo Johannsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of my step fathers told me during their divorce that I was the cause. I was 10.

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    #43

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    Carol Emory
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had a co-worker that was a man hater. She'd constantly say how dumb and useless they were. Then my boss went to her and said "You have a son, right? He will eventually grow up to be a man. So every time you berate and belittle men in his presence, you're actually insulting him. Do you think he's going to resent you for that?" Our co-worker never bashed on men again.

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    #44

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    Evil Little Thing
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I feel like there's more to this story than Naomi is telling. Parents have feelings too, and she clearly caught her mom at a terrible time.

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    #47

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    #48

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    Stephanie IV
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That a dress isn’t flattering can be said in a much less harmful way.

    #49

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did this with my mother. I called her after moving 3000 miles away to let her know her grandson was just diagnosed with Autism. She then proceeds to chew me out saying that she knew all along and that I had been to lazy to get him diagnosed before moving and that she had told me he was autistic (which she hadn't.) I tried to veer the conversation to what was being done for him to get him started on therapy. She kept going back to wanting me to admit that she'd already figured out his diagnosis before I left. I finally said "Look...I didn't call you to have an argument! If that's all you can do than sit there in your house alone and wonder what's going on. This is my son's life were talking about, not your Ego. Get over it or get lost!" And I hung up. Two months later, she called and apologized.

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    #50

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    Raine Soo
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mother thought that I was an alien. I'm not joking. She kept telling me that I wasn't like any of her friends' children. My father was cool with me, though. I think he got a kick out of me being a wise ass.

    #51

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    Raven DeathShade
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been called "overdramatic" so much I can't even tell my parents how severely I have been impacted by them, and the fact I've quite literally been wishing that I could run far, far away from them or at least die. I'm scared they'll tell me I'm not actually depressed and I'm overreacting...

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    #52

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    TheReader19
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope you're not like your mother; you're too good to be her