On New Year's Day I was invited to my doctor's home for a Japanese celebration. When I arrived there was about 10-12 people but more kept coming. If there was another TS there, I couldn't tell. Most were family and close friends.
At first I felt a bit self conscious. How will all these people react to me? I hadn't done much with makeup because I didn't think this was a big party. I really felt obvious! But it soon became evident they were going to treat me like a human being, nothing less.
I had made something for my doctor that was one familar with the Orient might call a shrine. It was supposed to be a platform on which to put Buddha figures he had on in his office. When he opened it he looked at me and said it was staying in his home. Then he told me to come as he took it to one of his one of his tea rooms. As he went through the process of deciding how it will be presented I marveled at his concentration. When he was done I realized he knew exactly what he was doing. It was if he had commissioned someone to make the piece. I wondered if I was reading his mind when I made it. Mystical? Clairvoiance? I'd say dumb luck.
From then on I was the wood artist. No one saw me as transsexual, they saw me as a person. They saw me for who I was inside and for my talents.
The diversity of the guests was broad. There were people from all over the world, many visiting, and everyone was in harmony. We were all there as guests of a warm, kind and caring man who, with the graciousness of his wife, allowed us into their home.
I have never in my life been in the company of a group of people who, not one, showed prejudice or intolerance. They showed only acceptance. You are who you are.
The conversations were stimulating. The smiles and laughter frequent. The experience priceless.
I moved to an other place in life that day. These people taught me something I had never known. When you see with your heart, when you hear with your soul, when you no longer judge, you will see the real beauty of the people around you.
I was in anguish because my daughter came into town and I never saw her. I was at a loss as how to deal with this. I don't know why, but spending the day in the company of people who just accept was what I needed. They, just by being themelves, told me I was okay.
The dreamer in me wants this for the world. It can't happen now but if we all make an effort to do what we can to pass messages like this along, eventually it could come to be reality. Never lose hope.
Julie
