Yes, tears this side as well. And then I found myself looking at it from the mother's point of view.
The thing that I found extremely poignant was when the mother talked about looking at photos of her then baby boy, now disappeared. And it got me thinking about our families, and how much effort they need to make in order that they can revisualise us when we transition.
For the family members who reject us, we can go to great lengths to try educate them and bring them round to at least understanding, if not necessarily accepting our choice.
And for those family members who give us unconditional love and support, sometimes I think we (I) can forget that what has happened is that they have found themselves dragged into an involuntary journey, where we impose on them our times, needs, and destinations. And they too are having to work through complex issues while presenting a smiling face and using pronouns they might not feel comfortable with.
I have been lucky to receive this love, but I tend to forget that my family has watched with a little sadness as their son/brother has disappeared, to be replaced by someone who is mostly the same, but not quite, and different in some fundamental ways. I need to thank them for making the effort, for being there for me despite their natural and understandable disappointment, misgivings and real concerns for my future.
Julia
