Thankful for things
I had Thanksgiving with the entire family - my mom, my three brothers, my sister, and the three sister-in-laws. It's the first time most of them have seen me since I started the transition. Mom had told them all about what I am doing, but most had elected to ignore or reject the idea that I was serious about transitioning.
Until they saw me at lunch.
I had been afraid that they would reject me when they saw me; I hoped they would accept me and my decision.
My brothers complimented me on my haircut, one of my sister-in-laws said I was looking much happier and asked how things were going; my sister said she liked my new look and told me why the news had thrown her so badly before. Seems when she was in her early teens - back in the '70's - she read an article in a women's magazine that detailed someone making the transition - surgeries and all. She had thought then how strange and amazing that was, and decades later, here I was, doing the same thing. Overall, my siblings have decided that I am still one of the family, and most of them have elected to call me JD. Two of my sisters-in-laws are still uncomfortable and would rather not interact with me - so I leave them alone and hope eventually they will come around.
I am thankful for a roof over my head, food on my table, friends and family who love and accept me, and the opportunity to become the man I always knew I was inside. I am thankful for the VA being willing to pay for the medical things I need to make this happen, and for those whose work is helping me in my transition. I am thankful for all the transgender people who came this way before me, making my journey a little easier, and thankful for the advice of those who have completed their transitions and are willing to help me complete mine. I am thankful for the opportunity to offer support and advice to others who are on this path, and thankful for the support I have received from them.
Most of all, I am thankful for the love and acceptance my mother has shown me, thankful that most of my fears have been unfounded. Thankful for neighbors who are supportive and accepting, and for the companionship of my furry friends through it all.
I have been on T almost a month now, and I feel wonderful; better than I ever felt before. I also feel sleepier - not depressed, but sleepy, like when I was a teenager. Of course, it's winter, so I typically end up feeling sleepy, like my body wants to hibernate. I no longer feel depressed at all. For once, I am truly happy, and fully myself. I'm thankful for that, as well.
Until they saw me at lunch.
I had been afraid that they would reject me when they saw me; I hoped they would accept me and my decision.
My brothers complimented me on my haircut, one of my sister-in-laws said I was looking much happier and asked how things were going; my sister said she liked my new look and told me why the news had thrown her so badly before. Seems when she was in her early teens - back in the '70's - she read an article in a women's magazine that detailed someone making the transition - surgeries and all. She had thought then how strange and amazing that was, and decades later, here I was, doing the same thing. Overall, my siblings have decided that I am still one of the family, and most of them have elected to call me JD. Two of my sisters-in-laws are still uncomfortable and would rather not interact with me - so I leave them alone and hope eventually they will come around.
I am thankful for a roof over my head, food on my table, friends and family who love and accept me, and the opportunity to become the man I always knew I was inside. I am thankful for the VA being willing to pay for the medical things I need to make this happen, and for those whose work is helping me in my transition. I am thankful for all the transgender people who came this way before me, making my journey a little easier, and thankful for the advice of those who have completed their transitions and are willing to help me complete mine. I am thankful for the opportunity to offer support and advice to others who are on this path, and thankful for the support I have received from them.
Most of all, I am thankful for the love and acceptance my mother has shown me, thankful that most of my fears have been unfounded. Thankful for neighbors who are supportive and accepting, and for the companionship of my furry friends through it all.
I have been on T almost a month now, and I feel wonderful; better than I ever felt before. I also feel sleepier - not depressed, but sleepy, like when I was a teenager. Of course, it's winter, so I typically end up feeling sleepy, like my body wants to hibernate. I no longer feel depressed at all. For once, I am truly happy, and fully myself. I'm thankful for that, as well.
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