Dear friends
After a year-and-a-half both consuming from and contributing to the forum, I think it's time for me to move on.
I still can't quite believe how much I've managed to achieve in this short time, and undoubtedly many of you have helped with your perspective and motivational optimism.
When I first clearly and unambiguously realised I was transgender some 20 years ago, the world was a much darker place for us. It scared me enough to paralyse me into inaction for two decades. When I reflect on how far we have come as a collective, we are light years ahead. Forums such as Susan's practically didn't exist all those years ago, and many of us were condemned to deal with the complexity of our lives without help or support. In this sense at least, useful advice is now just a few mouse clicks away, and people like us don't need to spend a lifetime considering that we are abnormal because of how we think and feel about ourselves.
I hope that my time on the forum has helped some people with direction and perspective during their journeys. I now stand at a crossroads I didn't really ever expect: whether to blend in and disappear, or to be visible and provide help, support and outreach in my city and country, where much work remains. Morally and personally I don't think that I can remain passive, and I hope that, after my SRS, I will be able to begin a project with an existing entity to provide vastly improved resources, support and education.
In a few days I will be closing my account, but before this I want to thank you all, especially Susan, for your friendship and kind advice.
Hugs from Madrid
Julia
Good luck to you and enjoy your life!
Hugs
Lara :D
Dear Julia,
I understand.
Sometimes I wish I could walk away. I no longer need the incredible love and support this site gave me. But every day I log on I see the same story that both you and I had. The pain, the confusion: the agony. Finally; the joy.
So I stay.
I wish you well in your journey and I loved knowing you.
Take care my Sister and travel well.
Cindy
I, we will miss your inspirational stories and journey.
I wish you well and success in all your future endeavours :-*
Damn missing you already!
Love Katy oxoxox
Dear Julia,
In the short time I have been on this site, have admired and appreciated your empathy and even-toned advice. I am sorry to see you go, but I will keep you in my heart as an example of what can be achieved.
Buenos viajes y vaya con Dios,
Terri
Hugs I'll miss you helped me a lot goodbye Julia and good luck with the future
We are going to miss you. Your posts have provided wonderful supports and help to others. Good luck and stop by some time to say hello.
Julia, you will be missed but I totally understand. I know there comes a point when many of us will do that. Good luck in your future endeavors. Hugs
Mariah
:'(:eusa_clap: :icon_wave:
Best wishes for your upcoming surgery. Take care :)
So long, farewell and enjoy!
I don't know when I'll reach that point but I have a feeling it may be around the same time as you, close to GRS.
One thing I have done though is at work I told my management that I am willing to "pay it forward" privately if anyone else comes out as trans and they need support. That is something people can do if they don't mind.
Keep living fearlessly and with pride. Thank you for your contributions to the trans community. You've helped so many people, and thats awesome.
Good luck, I hope your life is great and only good things come to you! :)
- Alex
Julia, keep going and be happy above all.
You helped me (and many other people too) quite a bit here. Thanks for everything.
Take care!
Girls and guys
Thanks so much for your kind words.
I'll sign off now, and I wish you all loads of love and success. May you all reach your goals with speed and ease!!
Hugs
Julia
I hate to see you go Julia but I think I understand why. You have been a very positive, cheerful, reasoned, friendly voice on the forums and you will be greatly missed. I wish the best for you as you sail off into the sunset :)
I wish you my best. You will be missed!
Emily
I will miss you, Julia. Your advice to me directly has been very helpful and appreciated. Your posts to others that I've read has *also* been extremely helpful to me, and, I'm sure, many, many others as well.
Take care, wonderful lady!
Kim :)
Julia has now deleted her account.