Susan's has been a very real part of my life since I started my transition journey a few years ago.
Susan's was there when I took my first step of coming out at work at a major corporate office where I was and continue to be the only TS person to have done that. I'll never forget walking throug those doors and being stared at by countless people for days and weeks in their amazement. Susans's was there as I sat at my desk, alone and frightened, while strangers made it a point to walk past my cubicle so they could stare and see for themselves. It was like a highway for a few weeks and I was the center of attention, a circus show, an oddity. Susan's was beside me, whispering in my ear that it was okay, that it would work out, I was going to make it through. It was terrifying, but I survived it.
Susan's was there when I came out to my children, when my family rejected me, when I divorced. Susan's was beside me as I struggled and overcame my fears. When I received my SRS letters, when I drove up to Montreal to begin a new part of my life.
Susan's was there as I stepped through the hospital doors, up the elevator to the surgery room where I then lay on a table, my arms outstretched with an IV that took me to a blissful sleep where I would never be the same.
When I awoke, and looked down seeing various mounds at different places on the blanket, an especially huge one at the other end between my legs that was bandages and gauze. Looking under it and seeing beautiful breasts rising high, all curvy and shapely, areolas stretched as tight as could be. And they were on fire. And further down the bandages were over a foot tall.
I received cards from members here while at the recovery house, and received well wishes and congratulations from members here. I cannot tell you how meaningful they were and how they helped me through that difficult time.
Others in Susan's family were going through the same thing at the same time. I'll never forget the bond it created as several sisters shared their experiences. We each new what the others were going through.
Susan's was there as I went on my first date. When I was rejected. When I lost my virginity.
There comes a time when we have to fly. It is my time to do that, fly. I am a bright light, as each one of you are. I will shine my brightness as bright as I can as I live my life, whole, healed, cured.
Thank you for being beside me, for being my family.
I don't think I've ever posted anything to you before, but congratulations on making it through your journey. I hope you continue to shine your way through life. ;D
Chow Bella, Susan's has lost a valued member, I know you will be missed. See you on the sunny side of the street :)
Sorry to see you leave, Valerie. Your insight and wisdom have been a blessing and I've enjoyed reading about your experiences and accomplishments. Take care and best of luck in all that you do. You will be missed. :icon_hug:
Take Care,
Kristyn
Bye Valerie. I always enjoyed reading your posts.
I hope that you will pop in at times to say hi.
Gonna miss you!
Huggs
Maegan
take care of yourself. May your days be long, happy, and fruitful!!
Awww, sorry to see you say goodbye. I don't know you but I've enjoyed reading your posts and experiences. Wishing you well always.
Jen
Take care Valerie, you will be missed. I do understand the decision though and wish it wasn't necessary.
May you find that which you seek. .. Its called the next step.. cya around
You will be sorely missed. You've been an inspiration to me and many others.
I hope we can cross paths again. I am very sorry to see you leave.
Just popped in to see whats, what. And you are leaving too. Val, you will be missed greatly. I wish you the very best in the future, no matter what it may hold.
Janet
I'll miss seeing you around Valerie. Best of luck with everything.
Hi Valerie,
Obviously my loss not to have had the opportunity to meet you here. But I'm sure I'll catch up on your threads as time goes by.
Apart from wishing you every success in your future, what you have said in your closing thread is just so ABSOLUTELY true. I visited here back in the late 90's and found Susan's to be an absolute breath of fresh air. It was, the light at the end of the tunnel, glowing radiantly at all who came. And still is! Regrettably at the time my wheels fell off when I had a bad bout of depression, from which I'm totally recovered and better than ever, never to return to that dark hole.
I'm just so profoundly moved to see how Susan's has not only weathered the time, but been so richly blessed by people like yourself and have just continued to build, build and build over time into this rich community of caring people.
Continue to be safe, well and happy
Lotsa luv
Catherine
*hugs* I'm glad to have met you Val =) Best of luck to you !
A sad loss for all of us, but I wish you well.
May the sun be in your face, the wind in your back.
Best wishes for happiness Valerie :) Keep your account open and drop by from time to time
Hugs Sis
- Virginia
Goodbye, Valerie, and be well.
Goodbye Valerie,you will be missed.I will continue to read your posts and keep on learning.I wish you much happiness.Hugs,Rachael.
Brother Bertie went away
To do his bit the other day
With a smile on his lips
and his Lieutenant's pips
upon his shoulder bright and gay
As the train moved out he said,
'Remember me to all the birds.'
Then he wagged his paw
and went away to war
Shouting out these pathetic words:
Goodbye-ee, goodbye-ee,
Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee,
Tho' it's hard to part I know,
I'll be tickled to death to go.
Don't cry-ee, dont sigh-ee,
there's a silver lining in the sky-ee,
Bonsoir, old thing, cheer-i-o, chin, chin,
Nah-poo, toodle-oo, Goodbye-ee.
At the hospital at Kew,
The convalescents, dressed in blue,
Had to hear Lady Lee, who had turned 83,
Sing all the old, old songs she knew.
Then she made a speech and said,
"I look on you boys with pride,
And to thank you all I'm going to kiss each one",
Then they all grabbed a stick and cried,
Goodbye-ee, goodbye-ee,
Wipe the tear, baby dear, from your eye-ee,
Tho' it's hard to part I know,
I'll be tickled to death to go.
Don't cry-ee, dont sigh-ee,
there's a silver lining in the sky-ee,
Bonsoir, old thing, cheer-i-o, chin, chin,
Nah-poo, toodle-oo, Goodbye-ee.
I too am sorry it must be thus. But we all move on eventually to the new life we always dreamed of. It's how it must be.
We love you Val, and wish you all the happiness in the world. You deserve it. :)
Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember me
~Loreena McKennitt, "Dante's Prayer"
All the valleys, the mountains and oceans in the world will never separate true friends, because we know within are hearts who are our true friends are. The hardest part of any friendship is when you will not see them for sometime to come, standing face to face with a dear friend you ask yourself do you say "goodbye" or do you say "I will see you later".
While at the same time keeping a bright smiley face, yet behind those misty eyes you have a flood of tears ready to fall down your face. Yet, I know there is so much more we need to say and yet we have never had a cup of coffee together. In the not to distance future, I'm sure we will meet, despite the obstacles we face in our day to day lives and when we do catch up and have that coffee, I'm sure we will pick up from where we left off.
The sun and moon have not yet met
And I wonder why we have never met.
I sit alone behind a screen and a small tear begins to grow.
And I wonder what's happening on your side.
I must remember to let you go so that you can be free.
I must not let my feelings show, so I promised myself I would not cry.
Time is fading and soon you will gone.
Thinking of you with all my heart, I know its time to say goodbye.
For I know I will see you again as sure as the sun will shine on my face.
Love and hugs always
Sarah B
Val:
Your words have inspired and uplifted all. Thank you.
May anything you turn your hand to be as successful and wonderful as yourself.
-Sandy
Good luck Valerie. Thanks for what everything you hae given to the site. You will be missed...
Goodbye... I wish it wasn't so because you didn't hide what you were thinking and I would rather that then not saying anything at all. I'll miss seeing your avatar with the big smile. Take care.
Val, I guess I could say I would miss you, but, well, I know where to find you >:-)
We'll share opinions elsewhere, I am sure of it...
Goodbye Valerie and best wishes for the future :)
Val you will be missed, even though i have not been that active of a member here till a few months before my surgery, i came here due to the large number of post-op's here compared to another site i belong to, my choice of surgeons was due in part from the experiences of others here.
Val i also know where to find you.
Paula
Bye, Valerie! I will miss seeing that sweet smile of yours and the wonderful things you always seem to say. I wish you fair weather and a steady breeze as you spread your wings!
I'm going to miss you a lot, Valerie. Good luck and have a beautiful life. I hope we cross paths again, somehow. <3
Bye Val,
I'm proud to have shared a part of the journey with you.
Keep in touch.
Hugs Sister
Cindy
Best wishes Val!
Z
Yet another of the long time members is going away. I'm sad already. I wish you all happiness-you deserve it and wish for you a peaceful and fruitful life. Goodbye dear one,
Randi
Val,
take care and please take a look at this site, http://www.transbodies.com/, (http://www.transbodies.com/,) you my want to contribute your story.
SJ
From one veteran to another, best wishes, Valerie. Hugs, Tracey
Bye Val. :(
damn it val my friend this hurts as i know not how to interact with you any other way. you were the first person to see me to make me feel understood
hugs girl i will miss you more then you know
jessi
And yet one more loss. A voice became silent.
Who can take your place here Val? No one.
There is only one you.
An original.
A guide.
A true caring soul.
A spirited person.
A person of value.
A voice of spoken truth.
A loss to too many.
A loss to me.
May happiness follow you and the others.
Dawn
I'll have been here 3 years next month, does that make me a veteran?
I recall Harry Truman, on his leaving the Presidency saying something to the effect of "The founding fathers debated what to do do with former presidents; some saying to return them to among the common people would be to degrade them, and someone else (Washington? Jefferson? Adams?) saying that to do so would be to promote them." Truman said, "I got my promotion."
So, while I shall miss you, I am not saddened. You are joining the people you so properly belong amongst, the Female people.
Live well and enjoy it. You earned your promotion.
Susan Kay
Quote from: Princess of Hearts on September 24, 2011, 05:41:40 PM
I'll have been here 3 years next month, does that make me a veteran?
I think they mean military veteran.