Having decided to bite the bullet and tell my mother and brothers how things are I went to see them on Sunday. They all live about 3 hours from me, so I had to make sure they would all be home. I haven't mentioned it here before but as my son is FtM and has been out to them for some time, GID is not a totally new idea for them to accept, just the fact that it is me as well.
I started with the younger of my two brothers and his wife, and told them that I was in a really happy place in my life and it looks like I had finally beaten the depression that has dogged me off and on since my early teens.
I went on to explain about how GID had affected me, and what I was doing about it, therapy, soon to start HRT etc. It went really well and they were very supportive. My sister-in-law even wanted to know how I got on for shoes, as she has large feet and has trouble finding shoes.
They understood that this was not something I had rushed into, and seem to be fairly comfortable with the prospective changes.
After that I visited my Mum. As she is in her 80's and becoming a bit vague I thought I should come out to here now rather than put it off any longer. Apart from having to repeat myself a few times because she is also a bit deaf it went better than I feared it might. She thinks I am making a mistake, but not being a religious person I didn't cop the fire and brimstone reaction. She understands the concept of GID and it's effects, but is more concerned about how I will be accepted in the community. I will be visiting her again over the next few weeks to answer any questions she has, and will write too so she can take time over my letters if she is feeling a bit vague.
On the way home I dropped in on my other brother and his wife, and the reaction was positive there too. I stayed for Thai take-away and spent a while discussing where to from here. They took things pretty much in their stride, and I finished the day on a real high.
