My parents live 100 miles (160km) away for half the year in the US. They spend the other half of each year in Asia. Since coming out to them 3 weeks ago I have seen them for a day almost every weekend and we have talked on the phone almost every day. Last weekend I showed them my estrogen patch prescription and explained how that works. I told them I let my manager at work know I am transgender and he is very supportive. My parents and I have not been this connected since before I was a teenager. Now that my parents know I am transgender they understand me.
I saw the 1979 total eclipse in Yakima, Washington State (they did not - they were too busy). I was 15 at the time, already driving myself to college every day (long story I'll skip here). I asked if I could borrow the truck and drive over the mountains to Yakima and they said yes. The eclipse was incredible. Even a 98% eclipse is just a big chip in the sun. A 100% eclipse suddenly transforms the landscape into another planet - the hills appear almost backlit, the sky is disorienting, the color of everything is unreal. The descriptions don't make sense - you have to see a total eclipse to understand.
I've decided to take them to see the August 21 eclipse. I know better than to drive from Seattle south to mid-Oregon as literally a million people will try to drive on the same road, aiming for the same two minutes - converging north from San Francisco and south from Seattle. Roads will be jammed anywhere within a day of a population center. If I was going solo I'd pack a tent but this is with my parents so I found and reserved a hotel in Idaho Falls, Idaho for the evening of August 20. We will drive east Friday-Saturday into Montana where there are fewer people and then head south.
I sent them email last night about the trip, told them I pre-paid for a hotel room. I was just about to call them a few minutes ago, but before dialing my phone noticed my mom had replied to my email. The brief story she told caused me to burst out in tears. I started estrogen HRT 12 days ago, others have warned me my emotions will be different - I've had a few things that caused me to pause but nothing like this where I was crying and could not stop. I am not sad at all. It's the joy of realizing how valuable life is, what a short time we all have, and how lucky I am to have parents who suddenly understand who I am, as I am transitioning to become the woman I should have been all along.
My mother was born and raised in Hokkaido Japan in the 1930s- their equivalent of Alaska. They had pretty much no money and she hiked to school in snow shoes. Here is part of what she said.
"Many moons ago... my brother took me to that event when I was 9 or 10 years old at Hakodate. He burned a candle on broken glass to make smoked glass. I got to see the chipped sun. I was late to school."
She probably doesn't realize we are going to see a total eclipse, very different than a partial eclipse. But my mom telling me about home made solar glasses 76 years ago - it just really struck me.
I am so glad I will be making this trip with them. I just wish all of us could have such understanding parents and family and could transition while they are still around. I feel more than a little guilty describing things that go well, because I know many of us face terrible situations with family.
Ok, typing this has helped. I've regained my composure enough to call them on the phone.
