Hello to you brave, beautiful people

[kellyk]

Hello

I am so thankful that places like this exist for those of us that are not as brave in this cruel unsympathetic world. I have lurked here a good bit, but never created a log-in until now.
Even though I always felt I was in the wrong body (male), I learned to hide the real me from the world. My sexual orientation is bi, but I really prefer being with men. That too is well hidden and no one suspects it. I have a wife and an adult daughter and a teen son.
I know this is not the first time this has been said, but the older I get the more I know I have to become the person I was meant to be. I think back to my childhood where I learned how to act like a boy. I didn't want to, but put down the baby dolls and picked up more boyish habits. I was ashamed of who I really was.
I guess I still am, but I'm fighting that inner battle.

Kelly

[Robin Mack]

*hug*

That inner battle is shared by nearly everyone here... welcome to a bastion of acceptance, warmth, and even love on the Internet. 

I hope you find the support and help I have here. 

[JulieBlair]

Hi Kelly,
I waited until, my kids were grown and there were grandchildren dancing about before finding the courage to begin the process of becoming me.  Tomorrow I will go Christmas Shopping with my daughter and her children in a life affirming and joyful celebration of myself as a woman, and them as caring, accepting, happy members of the clan.  I still have a ways to go, but the journey is getting easier all the time.  I am eighteen months into transition, and about three months from going full time at work (the curse of how long electrolysis takes).

I don't regret my life as a man, but it was less than it could have been in so many ways.  I have today and a bunch of tomorrows to stretch, grow, and live authentically.  What a gift!  What an opportunity!

Peace,
Julie

[kellyk]

Thank You for the hug Robin!
It means so much to me! I'm jut glad there are people that understand

[kellyk]

I think you know what I am going through Julie. It sounds like I am following in your path. I'm a "grandpa" to a little 2 yr old girl. I try to get her to call me gaga so that if I get the courage, she won't have to learn another name for me.
What do your children call you by the way?

Kelly

[Dina DAngelo]

Hello Kelly,

  Welcome to a place I'm soo happy I found. This really appears to be a haven and a great place to talk about what ails you and a fountain of information.

    Peace
     Dina

[Shantel]

I think you know what I am going through Julie. It sounds like I am following in your path. I'm a "grandpa" to a little 2 yr old girl. I try to get her to call me gaga so that if I get the courage, she won't have to learn another name for me.
What do your children call you by the way?

Kelly

Welcome from another grandparent!

[kellyk]

Awww thanks Dina!

I'm so glad to meet you!

Kelly

[kellyk]

Welcome from another grandparent!

Thank you so very very much Shantel!

Kelly

[V M]

Hi Kelly 

Welcome to Susan's     Glad to have you here

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Hugs

V M

[Marieee]

Hello Kelly and thank you for the sweet title!

Sure you'll find some great people and new friends here!

[JulieBlair]

Kelly,
   My grandkids call me Julie.  It is less confusing for them than trying to figure out some gender neutral adjective, and they have perfectly good grandmothers.  My daughter calls me dad or Julie pretty much interchangeably.  It is all about their comfort level.  I am just grateful to have them in my life.  Choosing to acknowledge publicly, what I have always known, or at least suspected internally, has been the most frightening, joyful, painful, liberating experience of my life.  The costs are still being tallied, the release out ways  them many fold.

Hugs,
Julie

[Devlyn]

Hi Kelly, welcome to Susan's Place!  I'm from Boston. Grab some snacks and I'll see you around the site! 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Hi Kelly,

Welcome to our little family. Over 8854 members. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.


Janet  )O(

[CindyCD]

Hi Kelly,

Welcome to the family. You came to the right spot, this is a wonderful place of friendship and support.
Here's a cup of hot chocolate and cookies to help you settle in.

Hugs,
Cindy

[kellyk]

Thank You again one and all for the kind welcome!
I hope to spend more time here now that I am a member in order to gain the courage to take the steps we all know I need to take.

Kelly

[Monta Pimpis]

Welcome beautifule Kelly !!! Hugs 

[gennee]

Welcome to the group, Kelly. In time you will find the answers to your questions.
Be true to yourself.

[Robin Mack]

Just remember, as a wise woman on these boards says, it doesn't take a lot of courage to transition... just the realization of how dangerous it is *not to*.  (I paraphrased a bit).

[kellyk]

Again, I am very encouraged by this forum. Thank you all for your welcoming thoughts!!

Kelly