Wow! Even though the time has gone really fast so much has happened it kind of feels like a lot more than a year. And what a year!!
I had been on another forum initially and while there were some nice folk there it wasn't well moderated and constantly going into meltdown. One member there (who had started not long after me) was a constant total drama queen and I remember her whinging about being kicked off Susan's (with a string of profanities) and I thought to myself "any place that won't have you as a member is the place for me!" So yeah, that's how I ended up here. :)
It's been great for me too. The internet didn't exist when I had my first attempted to transition in 1989 and support networks were pretty thin on the ground in Sydney back then. When that transition came to an end two years later it was a lack of support and access to shared experiences and info that was a crucially missing component at the time. And while I made sure I had professional support in place for this tilt at transition I also wanted to connect with others through a forum like this. And not just the trans women, it's awesome there are so many lovely ladies here but also really, really fantastic there are so many wonderful guys and great non-binaries too, because that has helped to give me a much deeper understanding of what it means to be transgender; something I may have struggled with.
I guess I came here with a lot of my internal conflict largely nullified, I was already on HRT and planning the next steps but I still had my doubts. It really helped me to realise that I wasn't alone, that what I was feeling about my gender identity wasn't just something I'd concocted, that there are so, so many others experiencing (or who had experienced) similar or worse. It gave me a lot of perspective. The sincere compliments I received too did wonders for my self confidence I have to say. I was initially pretty doubtful I'd manage to pass, let alone transition, but people here pretty quickly dissuaded me of that notion with genuine feedback. Most of all the support and friendship I've found here was totally beyond my expectations.
Jessica, Cindy, Jenny and others, your support and camaraderie when I was planning on going full time, and the loving prodding that saw me go over that line a good three months earlier than I was meticulously planning for has been so deeply appreciated by me, you have no idea!
There are many wonderful people here who, even though I may only know them as their avatar and their forum name, I have grown close to and who I've come to respect immensely for their insight, sense of humour and deep compassion. For my friends in the US and Canada and Europe I often wish I lived next door so we could share a beer, or a face to face chat, to share your happy times and hug you when you were down. The tyranny of distance I guess. I am fortunate however to live in a city that boasts a bevy of wonderful ladies and folk from Susan's - a number of whom I've met up with over coffee, or a meal, and become friends with... something that probably never could have happened without Susan's. How freaking awesome is that?? If I'd managed to get to Adelaide for Cindy's conference the other week I would have finally been able to meet up with her too, not this time but soon OK, sis? :)
And of course I was asked to become a moderator. Actually, I think Cindy said she wouldn't take no for an answer. :laugh: It was an honour to be asked, and while it has had its moments and has even been heart breaking at times, I have never regretted being a mod - it's a great team of people behind the scenes who all have the best interest of the members and the forum at heart.
Anyway, um, this became a lot longer than I intended so I'll just finish by saying thanks to Susan for setting this forum up in the first place, it has helped so many people in so many ways, myself included.
Yay!! :icon_dance:
Wow, I even went and checked! Yes a year :o
Doesn't time fly when you are having fun!
:laugh:
You look so good I got jealous and loaded a new profile too :laugh:
All that and a new avatar photo too! :)
I think many of us share your feelings about the site, the members....and also grateful for the work that you and the other moderators do in keeping things running smoothly..
You live up to your name as being one of the most gracious people on this board. :)
*wave*
You've been a busy beaver here on Susans and your work on the mod quad is appreciated. :)
It's been interesting watching you evolve over the last year, and even better getting to know you.
Nice new profile pic! I'm keeping my poney!
Its you Ms. Grace, as well as the other staff, that create an atmosphere of stability and equality here, and give most of us a standard to look up to, and try to emulate.
You have made us all better people, and contributed in many ways to make this the best site anywhere, just by being you...
There will always be a a beer saved for you at my place.!
Hugs
Wow it's only been a year?! You and I must've signed up at very similar times then because I signed up nearly a year ago too! :D
Everyone else has already said it, but I fully agree - you're a shining example of an awesome sister Grace! You and the other mods make Susan what it is, and I'm so glad you're all around *Hugs* :D
Ps - sorry this post lacks my usual colour. Still getting to grips with TapaTalk and haven't worked out how to do that stuff easily yet lol :P x
Grace, I must say, that name fits you very well. You are very graceful.
I also love the new avatar!
Congratulations on your year anniversary and on everything else!
you've been an inspiration to me
Hi Ms Grace,
You look absolutely radiant in your new Avatar! :)
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary and how far you've come in such a short time! Yes, time does fly. I have enjoyed seeing your transformation and you have been very inspirational to me as an older lady myself. You are living proof it's never too late to be yourself and be happy. I also thank you and the staff here at Susan's for your work at keeping things from getting out of control. I know it isn't easy as emotions run high in our community.
I celebrated my 1 year anniversary here as a member of this wonderful community back in August of this year. I know how you feel. And I thank you, Cindy, Jenny, and the rest of the staff here, along with those other lovely ladies and gents, and non binary's (y'all know who you are!), for giving me my life back. This is my 4th attempt at transition and I'm not ever looking back. Oh I've never had any doubt. My prior attempts were interrupted by circumstances out of my control, not because of doubt or unsureity. Even after my upcoming SRS I plan to be around for as long as y'all will have me.
@Cindy: You look great, and very elegant in your new Avatar too! Seeing how obviously happy and successful you are when I first joined here was a very huge inspiration for me early on, as I had many huge doubts, my age being one of them.
Best wishes!
Ally ;)
Happy Susanniversary (if I can coin a new Jill-ism today), Grace! Mine is on Friday.
It's been a really good year for me as well. I have met a lot of great people here, and during this time I have learned not only a lot about myself, but how good life can really be after coming out the other side. I also learned that as far as transwomen go, it turns out that I'm nothing out of the ordinary. Hey, it's the first time I've ever been made to feel "normal" and at ease with myself.
I also previously frequented another gender variant site, but I was essentially asked to leave a few months after discovering I was a bit too binary (Sorry for the nerdy pun. Oh Jill, talk nerdy to me... LOL) for their forum. I chose Susan's because it seemed to be the best match for me and had the least amount of discord amongst members.
At any rate Grace, I love your new avatar (as I do Cindy's). I suppose I'll put up another one soon. I think the avatar captioners are probably sick of beating that dead horse by now.
Hope the next year is even better for you, me and everyone here. We may not always agree on everything, but what I love about this community is that we are all very resilient and most importantly, survivors.
*extra big hug*
The site has been enriched immensely by your presence, Grace.
Here's to the next year. May it bring you everything you want in life. Or at least a few more giant strides in that direction. :)
Quote from: Jill F on October 15, 2014, 02:23:56 PM
...I also learned that as far as transwomen go, it turns out that I'm nothing out of the ordinary. Hey, it's the first time I've ever been made to feel "normal" and at ease with myself...
Seconded that one sis! :D Until I stumbled across this place during a routine Google search, I thought I was a freak for all these thoughts that I'd been having over the years. Thoughts I thought I'd take to the grave and never tell anyone. Now here I am talking about these feelings and thoughts and people here just turn around and say "oh yeh, I get that too!". There's no words to describe what a relief that is! :laugh:
♥︎Quote from: Jill F on October 15, 2014, 02:23:56 PM
Hope the next year is even better for you, me and everyone here. We may not always agree on everything, but what I love about this community is that we are all very resilient and most importantly, survivors.
http://youtu.be/Wmc8bQoL-J0
Appropriate? :D
♥︎
Sept. 17th of last year was my start date as well! We have both come so far since then Sis. I have to admit I loved seeing you throw out your full time date. I had a lot of fun with that one. ;D Here is to another year full of success and being real with ourselves! :eusa_clap: :eusa_dance: :icon_caffine: :icon_joy: :icon_dance: :icon_yes: :icon_woowoo:
The great news is with Aisla joining us we no longer have to mop the break room. We have arrived girl!!! ;D
Sorry Aisla! :P
The progress you have made in this year has been amazing, and not only that the grace you brought to the forums has been wonderful as well :P
This forum certainly needs active members like you, I have been here for over 4 and a half years, but your post count says it all versus mine!
I've only been here for a month now but I can honestly say that even in that short time, I have definitely noticed the sense of calm and openness and - well - grace for lack of a better term that exudes from your posts. It also doesn't hurt that the same emotions beam straight out of your avatar pics.
I never would have known you had only been here such a short time, because to me you are part of what makes this place feel like home.
*salute* to the next year and all those to follow!
Quote from: Hikari on October 15, 2014, 04:03:18 PM
but your post count says it all versus mine!
That she's kind of yappy?
:D
Wow.
It's also been a year for me as well. I started out on another board but a few weeks later I found this one. Hard to believe that I only started HRT in December last year and had only started electrolysis this time last year.
Thanks so much folks, your kind words overwhelm me! Hugs to you all! :D
Quote from: Jaime R D on October 15, 2014, 04:32:56 PM
That she's kind of yappy?
:D
Get a cup of tea or a glass of red wine in me and I won't shut up! :D
Well, congrats on surviving a year here.
I don't think I've made it anywhere near that with one account and I've been around since late 2011.
I have only been around here for a few months, but you do a wonderful job around here. Congrats on the year Grace.
Yay for anniversaries! Keep 'em coming, Grace!
Hugs, Devlyn
Hey, thanks Grace for sharing, nurturing and providing courage for all of us newbies. We can only dream and be inspired to get out of our funk with all that you have given. Perhaps, just perhaps, one day I can be so secure in the results of the journey!
Congratulations Grace on all you accomplishments.
I really learned a lot from your coming out thread and how you handled family matters.
I agree, you definitely have a lot of grace.
Wow, totally discarded the person that first recommended you
Right on, no worries, It's not like I plan to ever recommend anyone ever again in the future
Happy anniversary, glad you're having such a great time
Hugs
Congrads!!!!
We are all enriched by your being here.
Thank You!!
Hugs,
Jen
Quote from: Delsorou on October 15, 2014, 04:31:08 PM
I've only been here for a month now but I can honestly say that even in that short time, I have definitely noticed the sense of calm and openness and - well - grace for lack of a better term that exudes from your posts. It also doesn't hurt that the same emotions beam straight out of your avatar pics.
I never would have known you had only been here such a short time, because to me you are part of what makes this place feel like home.
*salute* to the next year and all those to follow!
I second. Only I am days in... Grace, your awesome!
You made me look - I registered on September 29, 2013.
So, just over a year for me too!
Quote from: V M on October 15, 2014, 09:16:32 PM
Wow, totally discarded the person that first recommended you
aww, sorry hon. Super big hugs from me, and lotsa love! :D
Whatever, have another chili cheese dog, they're good for ya
Would you like some buttered corn on the cob with that?
Hugs
mmm...buttered corn on a cob...!
Y'know Ms. Grace, in the time I've gotten to know you, you've helped me out and and you've really made me a better person by your kind words. Thanks.