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Ringing out the old, ringing in the new

It’s a new year with new hopes but 2012 did not go quietly into the night. December turned into a difficult month for me as my mother died a few weeks before Christmas. What had been planned as a trip home to spend time with my mother got rescheduled to become a trip home to mourn her passing. As I am nowhere near full time yet, this final trip for my mother was done in male mode, also to not bring that issue full face into so many people’s consciousness while they were mourning her.

Then my spouse elected to fly north again and spend Christmas with her family, leaving me alone for the holidays for the first time since I was stationed in Germany as a soldier 34 years previously. My daughter did have me over for Christmas eve dinner though and I greatly appreciated that, as well as my youngest son and his wife showing up at that dinner and being polite to me. My eldest son chose not to interact with me at all during the holidays other than to drop off a gift the week before, say a few words, then depart.

So there was plenty of time to mourn my mother, and my own failure to reveal myself to her. I’m pretty sure she would have loved me and supported me nonetheless, but now it’s something I’ll never get to do or share with her.

With the arrival of the new year, my primary supporters sent me positive messages and continue to cheer me on. I came out to a few more friends, who accepted me as well.

There’s much on the horizon for 2013. I expect to be pursuing my divorce by this fall, if all goes as I expect. Once that is done I can finally begin really moving forward with my own plans. In the meanwhile, I continue to do basic things, facial electrolysis, bought a new wig, expand my feminine wardrobe, and just enjoy expressing myself without false male constraints.

I Choose to Be Thankful

Thanksgiving approaches, and exactly as I expected, my eldest son invited my spouse but not me to Thanksgiving dinner. I’m supposed to be left out. Unfortunately for him, my daughter already invited me to dinner with her and her family. I almost allowed this situation to focus me on the negatives of my sons but after persistent yet gentle cajoling from the women I would most likely call “sisters” if I could choose them, I’m going to focus on my daughter. They remind me to let the bad go and focus on the good. And I shall.

So today I am thankful for a gracious, loving daughter who wants me to be happy. I am thankful for a daughter who has opened her heart and her arms to me. I am thankful for a daughter who allows me to see her children and to participate in their youth. I am thankful for a daughter who has grown wise beyond her years.

I am thankful for a son-in-law who has been openly accepting of me. I am thankful for a son-in-law who has embraced my daughter’s children and loved them as his own. I am thankful for each day my son-in-law still walks this earth, while we pray that his turn on the heart transplant list will come soon.

I am thankful for a beautiful granddaughter who is now 5 foot 6 inches and still growing. I am thankful for a granddaughter who really believes she could someday be a model. I am thankful for a granddaughter who is funny, smart, and who trusts her mother.

I am thankful for a grandson who is an endless ball of energy. I am thankful for a grandson who enjoys hugs and cuddles. I am thankful for a grandson who makes me laugh. I am thankful for a grandson who shows great joy.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I am thankful for a wonderful daughter and the beautiful web of love and kindness that she has woven all around her. Despite everything else, I choose to be thankful, and my daughter is one true reason why.