Yes, I felt very much the same way as you did yesterday, so I am right there with you girlfriend! While I have come to terms with who and what I am. I still wonder and worry what others will say or think, or worse not say. I hate for people at act nice and polite but have a real problem with me, if they have the problem say so.

Hugs,
DawnLynn

welp, having told my family 4 days before christmas about 3 years ago. the awkwardness is only as much so as you make it. Its that simple. We are our history. We can't change that so don't. Fact is that most people that will be there (if not all) are already going to be well aware of your situation so stories being what they are, no one is even going to take note. My cousin this christmas was telling a story about me, how when i was about 2 he came over and i was peeing off the porch, when he said i cant do that, i suposidly asked him why not, the dog does it. it was a funny story, all the while i am in decidedly female clothing. Everytime he referred to me, he said "she" "Her" or my new name. It didn't spawn any questions, any odd sense of discomfort for anyone around. I cant change who i was, it is a part of me, If i try to hide my past, then am I not doing exactly what i did before now when i tried to hide my future?

I guess what i am saying is, if you can't make fun of yourself, i guess you are going to feel really out of place. This is for any type of situation. The act of transitioning is the learning to feel comfortable in your skin... if you are hiding your past (which is part of your skin one way or another) then you won't ever be truely comfortable in your skin. Ultimately you won't know how anything is going to play out until you come out. I chose christmas time because I could get everyone in one place and face the barrage of questions I expected. It was awkward for about an hour, then it was not an issue for my family. Not all families are the same and your timing is up to you. When it comes right down to it, you will have to evaluate the amount of care you will put into what the others say if they don't agree.

I had those feelings once, while trying to come out at church, dressing and being my true self.