Our younger daughter Kimberly made it home from college Friday night -- technically Saturday morning at 12:30am. My wife stayed up to meet her, but I was fast asleep.
Later in the morning we talked for a bit. She reminded me that she had been home over Easter break, so seeing Jessica was not a surprise. We all went out to lunch, then we went shopping. It was uneventful. After we got home I showed her one of the nail polishes my friend had given me, it changes color from purple, to copper, then to green depending on how the light hits it. Guess what color my daughter's nails are now!
I started packing for my trip Saturday evening and showed Kimberly a few dresses I was planning to take (she approved of all of them). I also asked her thoughts on a few denim dresses, and she was comfortable giving me her opinions. In fact the entire day felt normal. Now that I think about it, 'normal' is actually something incredible. My daughter's father is now a woman, and she still loves me. I find that simply amazing.
I am still packing for my trip. I don't know what I will be wearing, so I am taking a wide selection. I do plan to wear a dress on at least my first day at work in Cleveland (Tuesday), I am just not certain which one. I am no longer frightened about going out into the world as myself. I want to make a statement. I want them to know that the former version of me is gone, that Jessica Rose is here to stay, and she wants the world to know. For some reason the lyrics from an old song by Helen Reddy come to mind...
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman
I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman