McCall Dempsey

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mccalldempsey

👫proud & imperfect mom
🔨scale smasher @southernsmash founder
🧠eating disorder recovery advocate
✏️writer
⚜️louisiana born ➡️🏖 florida living

McCall Manning Dempsey
Seven years ago, Marjorie’s hospital door cracke Seven years ago, Marjorie’s hospital door cracked opened and two heads peeked in. @sblackstonesmith and @laurenbarksdalehill. I told them about Marjorie’s cancer diagnosis the day before and Shannon left her family in Disney and Lauren drove ten hours through the night to be with me at @wolfsonchildren. This week we had the best reunion with ALL of our healthy and amazing kiddos. We are all sunkissed and have stomach aches from all the laughter. I wish I had a crystal ball to this beautiful future all those years ago. Lauren and Shannon taught me what it means to show up for those you love. No need for gifts or casseroles. Just love, laughter and the ability to say I’m here. Thankful for my lifelong besties who will forever be by my side. ❤️❤️❤️
One week later I’m finally putting together my M One week later I’m finally putting together my Montana Part 2️⃣. Maybe I’m still in denial we are back in hot Florida 🥵 My heart is still in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Such a dream trip celebrating our birthday girl and time together. Until next year Bitterroot… 🏔💙
Montana Confessional & Recap 1: I bitched. Complai Montana Confessional & Recap 1: I bitched. Complained and moaned about the expensive travel and many, many flights it took to get to the Bitterroot Valley. I was wrong. I take it all back. There is something utterly magical in this remote treasure of Montana. Maybe it’s the mountains, the people or being in a cabin with the people I love most. The tiny towns are not overrun with tourist and the lack of cell service grounds you to the beauty and people around you. Massive and heartfelt thanks to @bitterrootriverguides. They accommodated our massive crew that ranged from 86 to 6 with nothing but love, compassion, fun and a whole lot of patience. I’ve never had more fun floating or fishing and made memories for life. Spending time with their guides (Jed, Chris, Dan and Rob) are a reason alone to book a trip to this beautiful place. Can’t think of a better way to celebrate our Annie and spend time together. Montana Part 2 coming tomorrow!
Kids wanted me to play Marco Polo. I wanted to flo Kids wanted me to play Marco Polo. I wanted to float in a raft. I offered a game that involved me floating and shooting them with water guns. Problem solved. Follow me for more parenting advice. 🙌👙
Sh!tting Rainbows 🌈 is a phrase I say on a regu Sh!tting Rainbows 🌈 is a phrase I say on a regular basis. It is my go to when talking about the reality of life and recovery. I strive to live an authentic and real life - not candy coating my story to be anything but what it really is. I will never shit rainbows, paint a smile on my face and pretend like everything is fantastic. There is a balance of living life with a positive attitude AND being real that sometimes hard things just really suck. Every Monday evening I have the honor and privilege to co-facilitate the @alliancefored virtual support group. Our community is composed of the most diverse, brave and extraordinary humans. Last week, this painting arrived at my door. An incredible Alliance group member and their partner painted it for me, of me and inspired by my constant mention of shitting rainbows. I unboxed the painting and started sobbing. I have never received a more thoughtful or amazing gift. The artist lives across the country and never misses a single group. They are a staple in our groups and Alliance family, always lifting us up with humor and the reality that is messy recovery. To my Sh!tting Rainbows artist, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for bravely showing up every week and sharing your heart and talent with us all. 🌈💙💜💗
Happy birthday to my best friend, partner in life, Happy birthday to my best friend, partner in life, third child, favorite parent to our kids and best golf guy around. Life would be SO dull without you. People always ask how we made it through all life’s crappy cards…one answer: marry your best friend. You know how to make me laugh and you know how to sit in silence when the world is too much. You are the perfect balance of comedy and compassion. Cheers to you today my love! And here is to 41 more. You certainly don’t act your age and I’m so glad you do not. Love you always @jordandempseygolf ⛳️💙🎉
“Mom, did you know it’s #pridemonth?!” Marj “Mom, did you know it’s #pridemonth?!” Marjorie asked me this a couple of weeks ago. I asked her if she knew what Pride Month celebrated. “Yep! Rainbows 🌈!” She squealed. I explained the meaning behind pride month and she got so excited. She knows we have lots of friends in the LGBTQ+ family and she loves celebrating LOVE. We were at @target (her fave store of course) a few days later and she lit up seeing the #pridemonth section. She picked out her shirt and the next day made this sign and insisted on a picture. 📸 We live in Florida. We say gay and we accept all humans and celebrate rainbows 🌈 and that love is LOVE. To our LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ family. We love you. We see you. We support you. Always. And you can count on Marjorie for all the handmade rainbow pride signs 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🌈
I just discovered today is National PTSD Awareness I just discovered today is National PTSD Awareness Day. I want to take a minute and remind everyone that PTSD (like any other disorder) does not have black and white criteria or checklist. You don’t have to fit perfectly in the diagnostic box to struggle. Recently, I have been doing the hard healing work from another PTSD ‘flare up’. I did not know when or if I would ever tell this story, but something drew me to write today. Three months ago, I was suffocating in the waves of PTSD again and with the help of my extraordinary and steadfast therapist I found myself finally able to let go this time… Story on the blog — link in profile. “When You Don’t Fit the PTSD Mold”
What I would give to linger a little longer with m What I would give to linger a little longer with my people in our happy place. For a few days, we escaped reality and joined “Camp Mamie” on Lake Summit 🏕 Life is hard, but I thank my lucky stars for these people. We’ve shared life’s ups and downs for the last 30+ years. Now we watch our kids experience the magic of the mountains we all love. Days spent catching fireflies, fishing, swimming and kayaking. @jordandempseygolf has official caught the lake life/camp bug. He jumped off a rope swing for the first time in his 40 years 😂 Massive heartfelt thanks to my Mountain Momma @kdoverstreet for including us in Camp Mamie every year. It’s the highlight of our summer. Leaving my mountains with a full heart 💜
Happy Dad Day to my oldest child, family comic and Happy Dad Day to my oldest child, family comic and the person who makes us laugh every day. @jordandempseygolf you might not know how to close a drawer, put the laundry IN the basket, but you make life damn fun. Thankful for your endless games and energy. We are so blessed to have not one but three amazing dads in our little family. We love you daddy, Papa and Pops! Cheers to you today and every day!! 💙💙💙
Daily reminder that not all Jean sizes are created Daily reminder that not all Jean sizes are created equal. I needed (and still need) new white jeans. I ordered a pair in my “usual” size. I get being a little off. But these were WAY off. Years ago, this would’ve sent me spiraling. Trying to fit my body into the jeans. Today, I just cracked up - clothing and sizing is a complete disaster. These jeans don’t fit me. Take off. Return. Move on. Ah yes. That is recovery and living life free from the bullshit labels our jeans (and society) puts on us. I also stand in so much privilege that I can order and wear straight sized clothing. I can shop, fly and travel without shame. I can easily find and buy a pair of jeans in my size. Many folks in larger bodies cannot. We must continue the conversation beyond straight size until clothing fits ALL bodies. Tonight, these jeans are in a box with the return label. I have nourished and will rest knowing my body is mine. I will wake up tomorrow and keep fighting the good fight again diet culture and all the BS labels our society puts on us. Onward. 👖
Last Day ➡️ First Day 4th and 1st Grade ✅ Last Day ➡️ First Day 4th and 1st Grade ✅ Phew! What. A. Year. This was a year of growth and doing the hard things. From Manning finding his stride to Marjorie working through anxiety, I’m beyond proud of these two for their perseverance and endless spirit and joy. From big meltdowns to massive smiles, they never let the hard things linger too long. We all grew together this year. I made a lot of mistakes juggling all the balls of school, activities and appointments. And I reminded them daily it is okay to NOT be okay. But today…field day…we are A-OK! And excited for the “best day of the year” according to Manning. And no, it isn’t Whacky Hair Day…it’s just Marjorie being, well, Marjorie. Onward to 5️⃣th & 2️⃣nd!!!! Massive thanks to the best school and our extraordinary teachers for being such a light to all of us!
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  • When You Don’t Fit the PTSD Mold
  • The Best News We Never Expected
  • Eleven Years Later and Still Recovering

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