Hi All...
I hope all is well... I had a few thoughts about the forum I was sharing with Jessica Marie this morning, by PM, on the nature of our roles here... Jessica's role as Official Welcomer offers so much to those coming in the door of this place... They are often coming with a burden, heavy and dark...and step into the light here...
This place, Susan's Place... is a place of hope... People are coming here every day looking for something... They don't always know what it is but, at the core of it,...HOPE is what they seek...
Hope That:
Maybe what they feel, others feel too...
Maybe the Earth wouldn't stop spinning if they showed others who they truly are...
Maybe it is okay to feel like this...
Maybe they could wear the clothes they want to wear...
Maybe they could live the way they want to live...
Maybe they could be called by another name...
Maybe they could change their body and appearance as they choose...
Maybe others have done what they have always wanted to do and they are happy... Maybe that could be me...
Maybe everything inside them, hidden for a lifetime, could finally come out into the light of day...
Maybe the impossible is possible...
I always liked the line in The Shawshank Redemption...
"Hope is a good thing... perhaps the best of things and no good thing ever dies"
Perhaps, a line from a movie about someone locked in a prison cell, for something they didn't do, is befitting our journey...
The hope we can offer others here, keeps going as others pick it up, put it in their pocket to carry it with them and offer it to the people they encounter in their own lives... We are all ripples in the pond...
Hope brings people here... and Hope is here to find, when you look, and when you are open to receiving it in your heart... It would be easy for this place to become dark if it was not well tended... Happily, just a little bit of hope can go a long ways here... Those who offer it do great things and keep this place, a place of light... One person can be the the light for the uncountable many... If you have hope, give it freely to those who need some...The rewards are great!
Onward we go brave friends...
Ashley 😀❤️🌻
Beautiful words Ashley....maybe I'll stop crying before my mothers 89th birthday brunch today.
And please don't forget
@KathyLauren as co-greeter. Though, anyone can greet someone they would like to meet.
Nicely put Sis. My life became lighter when I came to the site and Dena greeted me. After some wonderful dialog I found I just might be able to pull this off. A year and a half later, the weight of the world has been lifted. I am beginning to see the world in colors I could only imagine before. It is my desire to pay it forward. I will never be able to endure surgeries. In fact the last one I had on my heart almost did me in. But it is what you put out that determines what you receive back. Put out negativity and damn if everything doesn't seem negative. Well I decided to be positive and without all the wonderful people here I would not be able to succeed. Thanks to everyone.
XXOO <3
Dawn
I was an unofficial greeter here for a long time. I still like the Introductions forum. My profile stats say I've made 2,973 posts in Introductions. I like to think that I've given people hope, actually I know I have. They think:
"God, I hope I don't turn out like Devlyn." >:-) :laugh:
For everyone who tries to help people get through it, I always liked this line from an LZ song.
I must have did somebody some good
Oh, I believe I did
I see the smiling faces
I know I must have left some traces
Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on January 28, 2018, 01:46:03 PM
I was an unofficial greeter here for a long time. I still like the Introductions forum. My profile stats say I've made 2,973 posts in Introductions. I like to think that I've given people hope, actually I know I have. They think:
"God, I hope I don't turn out like Devlyn." >:-) :laugh:
For everyone who tries to help people get through it, I always liked this line from an LZ song.
I must have did somebody some good
Oh, I believe I did
I see the smiling faces
I know I must have left some traces
Hugs, Devlyn
LZ Rocks and so do you Devlyn Marie!!! 😀
It was the positive support of others that helped me become the happy woman I am today.
I wish that those who might read my post history will see, despite its very real bumps, that a journey can be made from those early dark days into hope and light.
Hope is THE greatest gift we can offer those who find their way to our door, that really must be our message.
Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk
If it wasn't for our members taking the time to help each other through hardships that can be overwhelming, Susan's wouldn't be Susan's. As Megan said, hope is the greatest gift we can offer.
I will take a moment to share the opening line to my own introduction post...
Quote
Let me start by saying the terror I am feeling right now even just registering for this site and posting this introduction is unreal. As I type this I am not even sure I am going to be able to hit post.
I meant it. My fear was so profound. That was August 22nd of last year. It has been just over 5 months since I've been here, and the ticker in my signature speaks for itself. (Not to mention my profile picture and post count. ;D)
Ashley - One of the things you've posted I've kept floating in the background of my mind was about the realization the thing which you've wanted and dreamed about your entire life might actually be within your grasp. (i'm doing a lousy job of paraphrasing you here) After working through my own internalized transphobia this past summer; I think the above was/is my next big struggle.
I thought so much about transitioning and living as a woman 25 years ago. it was like a dream that i knew would never come true...that i felt was forever out of grasp. So I created numerous reasons why I couldn't/wouldn't/shouldn't so i didn't. Some of them valid and others not so much.
And here I am 25 years later, with the transition thoughts always present. And the thought, with inspiration from many of the women here, that it is actually within my grasp. And the brutally honest admission that deep down I really do want to transition, that I want to live as a woman full time, and with courage and support, I can make that dream come true.
so many of you inspire me :)
Many years ago a very frightened old 'man' who had been struggling with his identity for his whole life joined the site.
There were tears and there was pain.
There was trying to understand why.
There was fear
Then there was hope
Then change and acceptance
Then rebirth
Then cancer and love and support and fight
All because many years ago two lovely Greeters said
"Hi Cindy, Welcome to Susan's. You are with family now and there is no reason to be frightened anymore."
And she wasn't.
And she will try very hard to make sure that this place is as accepting now, and in the future as it was for her.
And thank YOU for making it so.
Well, I amost made it through this post without crying until I got to this part:
Quote from: Cindy on January 29, 2018, 02:38:13 AM
All because many years ago two lovely Greeters said
"Hi Cindy, Welcome to Susan's. You are with family now and there is no reason to be frightened anymore."
And she wasn't.
That just overwhelmed me. It is so true. We are a family. So many struggles, so much hardship and so much love.
Thank you Ashley for posting such a beautiful post and Cindy for making me cry.
Thank you all for being here. Our family.
Quote from: Cindy on January 29, 2018, 02:38:13 AM
Many years ago a very frightened old 'man' who had been struggling with his identity for his whole life joined the site.
There were tears and there was pain.
There was trying to understand why.
There was fear
Then there was hope
Then change and acceptance
Then rebirth
Then cancer and love and support and fight
All because many years ago two lovely Greeters said
"Hi Cindy, Welcome to Susan's. You are with family now and there is no reason to be frightened anymore."
And she wasn't.
And she will try very hard to make sure that this place is as accepting now, and in the future as it was for her.
And thank YOU for making it so.
💕💕💕💕
Roll...
I remember that first post well my dear little sister!!!...For all who are just stepping through the door here... Read her entire post here
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,227505.msg2017601.html#msg2017601
Our sister has blossomed in a million beautiful ways since that day when she showed up... tired from carrying the burdens that many of us carry until the weight is too much and our load must be lightened... Her journey has been, and will be, inspiring to watch and will be testament to the power in taking hold of the steering wheel of your life and setting out with intent to arrive at your chosen destination...
Cindy... As Vicky and Jessica's posts attest... You can bring the message home around here like no one else can dear sister!... We are all lucky and honored to be sharing this space with you... Thank you for all you do unseen here behind the curtain to keep the light of hope burning in the window as a beacon for those who are coming in out of the darkness...
Nikki... I know you have been searching long and hard to put this puzzle together and make all of the pieces fit and come together in a way that will serve many of your life's considerations... I have faith that you will find that and the puzzle pieces will form a picture of great beauty!!!
Hugs and Love to all of you here and those still out in the darkness...
Onward we go...
Ashley 🌻
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on January 28, 2018, 01:46:03 PM
I was an unofficial greeter here for a long time. I still like the Introductions forum. My profile stats say I've made 2,973 posts in Introductions. I like to think that I've given people hope, actually I know I have. They think:
"God, I hope I don't turn out like Devlyn." >:-) :laugh:
For everyone who tries to help people get through it, I always liked this line from an LZ song.
I must have did somebody some good
Oh, I believe I did
I see the smiling faces
I know I must have left some traces
Hugs, Devlyn
Oh my gosh. I only have a sad 64 Introductions posts. Jane you seriously need to get busy!
Such beautiful words Ashley -so I'm bumping it in the hope that others will find this post.
Bump!
Sonja.
Quote from: Sonja on March 19, 2018, 02:36:56 AM
Such beautiful words Ashley -so I'm bumping it in the hope that others will find this post.
Bump!
Sonja.
I'll bump it too, and adding that two more Official Greeters have joined us!
@Alaskan Danielle and
@Steph2.0 Bump!
Sonja and Jessica!
Thanks to you both for the ...Bumps of Hope!!! 😀 I spoke at the University last week and got to expound quite a bit to the youngin's on the role of hope as they move forward in their lives...
Onward we go brave sisters
Ashley Marie 😀❤️🌻
This post is beautiful.
It would have been much tougher for me to start and continue transition without seeing the examples and hearing the stories of the wonderful people in this community. Let's keep up the great work!
If it wasn't for this wonderful site I would still be in male mode. I do not have much £££s to spare but put some in the pot when I can , we must keep this running. THANKS to everyone here for help and support and laughter
I can say thank you to everyone here being here has helped me so much facing the fears of coming out to my family and the rest of the world being myself in public and following my path to happiness by transitioning and becoming who I was meant to be inside and out regardless of being told it's wrong and any disapproval we might get from others everyone here shows us that it is our lives and maybe just maybe ours isn't as bad as someone else's and maybe our experiences can help someone else "brave the storm" of coming out and transitioning. Sorry if I get off track or go in a random direction lol it happens often when I'm writing something with deep thought.
Sent from my SM-S337TL using Tapatalk
Without a doubt, Susan's Place is the premier site for the LGBTQ community. The staff here, under the direction of @Susan has done a terrific job in keeping the Forums a friendly and safe place for all of us to share our joys with others and to be supported when things are not going so joyfully for us.
We even have a Youth Talk section of the Forums that is heavily moderated that the younger members can safely go to and share with other members in their own age group.
I can't thank all the staff here enough for the wonderful job that they are doing to make this a place that all of us want come to often.
I have met some awesome people here and I love to make new friends and share my positive thoughts to encourage them wherever they are in their journey.... and with all of us together sharing and supporting in a respectful and cordial setting, Susan's Place is indeed the "Place" that we belong... with our new found friends.
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle
A merit of this site is that you can get advice or comment from people insightful on various gender issues. Especially, my long friend here, Lyric, has always been helpful. Eleven years has passed since my first introduction here. Many people have left with or without farewell, and some people still are active here.
barbie~~
Hello everyone
This site really must be the best transgender website on the planet.
After a long time just reading, I joined in January as I was about to start HRT.
There is so much information on the Wiki and more on the Links.
There are so many different aspects to the transgender subject from scientific to political to religious to HRT to transition in general to Transgender Talk in general.
We are all one big family here. We debate, we listen, we share, we help, we encourage. And so much is returned in understanding, kindness and compassion.
May this site continue for many years to come.
Hugs to you all
Pamela
Ashley, you look amazing and confident! Great pics!
Quote from: barbie on July 19, 2018, 03:14:06 PMMany people have left with or without farewell, and some people still are active here.
barbie is member #4613 newest member (today) == 60,468 ???
Such comings and goings! Surely many just fall by the wayside, stop visiting but then again there are those who actively disassociate, for "stealth" reasons perhaps? Political/social disagreements? I am
very out but not FT transitioned have stuck to the middle road and learned to just let "
all the rest" go . . .
Suppose one could say am "
living the dream" rather than "
walking the walk"!
"Are you listening to me Neo? Or are you looking at the woman in the red dress? . . . Susan's (lol) is another training program designed to teach you one thing. If you are not one of us you are one of them!" ( youtube.com/watch?v=Hw88MWoqenQ )
The "Zion Dance Party" cis machines are attacking! ( youtube.com/watch?v=Ep2FFbFKriE )
I remember being so scared when the dysphoria bug hit me again at age 53 in 2014. I had spent a lifetime suppressing it and being a generally depressed individual. I had gotten divorced a few years earlier after 23 years of marriage. My mother had passed away in 2011. My step-dad died in September of 2014. We had never gone through my mothers things after her death and so we were faced with clearing out their entire house. It was going through my mothers things, the smell and the feel of her clothing that set off my dysphoria. I took some of her things and brought them home. The feelings I had so long repressed came flooding out. For the first time ever I didn't try to put those feelings on ice. Instead I sought knowledge about what I was feeling.
In late 2014 I joined Susan's. Back then I was known as Jessie Ann (I shut that account down but decided to come back at a later time as I Am Jess). It was here that I began to see that I wasn't a freak or a sinner or an aberration. Here I discovered that I was me, a MTF transsexual. I thought there was no way that I could possibly transition. I was a 6'2" 240 pound dude who would be an ugly guy in a dress at best.
Reading through the forums and seeing the effects of HRT and the stories of others soon gave me HOPE that maybe, just maybe I was wrong about myself. The longer I was here the more confidence I gained. It was through a former member here that I discovered the therapist who helped me change my life. It was through here that I saw that the impossible is actually possible. It was here that I gained the strength to make the most important decision of my life, the decision that I needed to transition.
Seeing all of the stories of others gave me the strength to move forward with my life as a woman. The reason I came back to this site was because I owed it to those brave souls who had come here before me and shown me that there was light at the end of the tunnel and that transition wasn't the end of the world. I owe those coming behind me the same inspiration I got from those who came before me.
I have come a long way since 2014. I was wrong about so many things and this site and the people here helped me become Jess.
Thank you Ashley, my beautiful soul sister, for your constant reminders to everyone that being trans is a beautiful thing and that we can be who we were meant to be. Everyone who posts, even if it is a small update or word of encouragement is helping someone somewhere. This site is about community and helping others. Even though I am now almost 4 years down the road in my journey, I still find valuable advice or information here. So thank you to everyone who contributes to the discussions.
@I Am Jess @tgirlamc - Jess & Ashley, your continued support and participation is an inspiration for many members and anonymous visitors who come to Susan's Place every day of every week!
I realize that for many of the transgender people who are successfully living their lives that they may feel that coming to Susans all the time is making a big deal of their transgender status rather than moving past it and living their life just as them, but there are so many visitors who come here who are confused, anxious, nervous and in fear that really need people who have journeyed a long enough way through this to give them courage and hope.
Thank you,
Sonja.
Quote from: Kiera on August 28, 2018, 11:37:20 AM
barbie is member #4613 newest member (today) == 60,468 ???
Such comings and goings! Surely many just fall by the wayside, stop visiting but then again there are those who actively disassociate, for "stealth" reasons perhaps? Political/social disagreements? I am very out but not FT transitioned have stuck to the middle road and learned to just let "all the rest" go . . .
Suppose one could say am "living the dream" rather than "walking the walk"!
"Are you listening to me Neo? Or are you looking at the woman in the red dress? . . . Susan's (lol) is another training program designed to teach you one thing. If you are not one of us you are one of them!" ( youtube.com/watch?v=Hw88MWoqenQ )
The "Zion Dance Party" cis machines are attacking! ( youtube.com/watch?v=Ep2FFbFKriE )
Thanks, Kiera, for letting me know the detailed numbers even I did not know.
I also have noticed that some people suddenly join this forum to get help for feminine voice surgery. After getting some help, most of them just disappeared.
Yes. Kiera, you are also a long-term member of Susan's.
barbie~~
Quote from: I Am Jess on August 28, 2018, 04:23:18 PM
Thank you Ashley, my beautiful soul sister, for your constant reminders to everyone that being trans is a beautiful thing and that we can be who we were meant to be. Everyone who posts, even if it is a small update or word of encouragement is helping someone somewhere. This site is about community and helping others. Even though I am now almost 4 years down the road in my journey, I still find valuable advice or information here. So thank you to everyone who contributes to the discussions.
Jess, your are also inspirational.
M2F transgender people tend to suddenly catch up on beauty. In my case, I have been indulged in purchasing cosmetics and other beauty items that most teen girls are doing. Most people do not understand my quick temper in such things as wearing high heels, teen's miniskirt, and bikini. Most women at my age wear flat sandals, jeans and rashguard. People here reminded me that I need to slow down.
barbie~~
Jess.. You are an inspiration to us all and an advocate we can rely on. Each time I see a new picture I see a beautiful happy woman and I wonder what it would be like to be in your high heels. The fact you are a prosecuting attorney for the city of Los Angeles marvels. You represent well and we are proud of you. Just keep being yourself. When I came to Susans two years ago I saw your beaming face and I said to myself "Maybe it is possible after all" I had a lot of inspirations here. Archlords transition was amazing, Barbie looks so good in her pictures. Harley looks fabulous, Rachel looks great. You all inspire and there is no other way to be, other than happy and hopeful. I've had a hard time making friends in my life but since I started my journey I felt a kinship that I had not experience before. My love to you all, thanks for being there for us.
Ashley,
Those are very beautiful words and sentiment. Thank you.
As a new member to the site, I really appreciate the greeting I received from @Alaskan Danielle. As I mentioned in my introduction, I've known about this site for a few years now, but never joined until my recent affirmations. Part of the hesitation was that if I joined I would be acknowledging something that I just couldn't admit to myself.
I ended up spending time at one of the CD sites, and had grown to be less of a participant there over time due to a number of reasons. In perusing this site, I realized that I picked up only love, support, caring, and honesty within the posts I've read. During this very vulnerable moment of mine, I found this very comforting and it pulled me in, finally.
In the short time I have bene a member, I already feel like I belong, and that I've joined a sisterhood that I have longed for my whole life.
Thank you all!
Lovely words and sentiment
:icon_archery:
Hey All,
Just noticed this thread had been bumped while I was away... Thank you all for your compntributions and extra thanks to Jess, Sonja, KellyMarie and Sarah for the sweet words sent my direction!!!... With hope in our hearts...
Onward we go brave sisters!!!
Ashley 😀💕🌻
Quote from: tgirlamc on September 10, 2018, 03:04:06 PM
Hey All,
Just noticed this thread had been bumped while I was away... Thank you all for your compntributions and extra thanks to Jess, Sonja, KellyMarie and Sarah for the sweet words sent my direction!!!... With hope in our hearts...
Onward we go brave sisters!!!
Ashley 😀💕🌻
@tgirlamc Dear Ashley:There are very few members here on the Forums that disagree with the premise and subject of your thread. Susan's Place is a lifesaver for many transgenders, newbies or oldies, regulars or lurkers... it doesn't matter the status of their transition.
What does matter is that fact that this site offers the kind of encouragement, hope and relevant information that is very difficult to find elsewhere online.
Kudos to all the Forum members that contribute with their posts, their thoughts and their life stories.
Hugs and well wishes to you and to all here on Susan's Place.
Danielle
Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on September 10, 2018, 03:11:58 PM
@tgirlamc
Dear Ashley:
There are very few members here on the Forums that disagree with the premise and subject of your thread. Susan's Place is a lifesaver for many transgenders, newbies or oldies, regulars or lurkers... it doesn't matter the status of their transition.
What does matter is that fact that this site offers the kind of encouragement, hope and relevant information that is very difficult to find elsewhere online.
Kudos to all the Forum members that contribute with their posts, their thoughts and their life stories.
Hugs and well wishes to you and to all here on Susan's Place.
Danielle
And if there's anyone on the planet that needs hope more than us, I'd be hard pressed to see it.
Yeah I see what the site does for so many.
I use it very much as a crutch, I'm often away and at my garage and stuff and don't get much time for online stuff.
Sometimes I feel like you are sometimes missed or ignored in the trail of posts. And in my case I often only post when I'm feeling low or needing support. So it just makes it feel worse.
It's weird sometimes I put it down to my crappy way of talking or writing. I make typos and my way of getting things down can be abit backwards.
I guess I'm this way needy because out here in Ireland I have not one trans friend. I have never met a trans person here in Ireland yet.
Sometimes my dad gets me way down still cause he keeps calling me by my old name and crap.
It's so annoying cause he doesn't do it when talking to anyone else.
I feeling a dud for posting this, but again I'm needy. And there's some people here I really look up to and admire :') and some of em are here in the post :)
Quote from: Rachel_Christina on September 11, 2018, 01:49:28 AM
Yeah I see what the site does for so many.
I use it very much as a crutch, I'm often away and at my garage and stuff and don't get much time for online stuff.
Sometimes I feel like you are sometimes missed or ignored in the trail of posts. And in my case I often only post when I'm feeling low or needing support. So it just makes it feel worse.
It's weird sometimes I put it down to my crappy way of talking or writing. I make typos and my way of getting things down can be abit backwards.
I guess I'm this way needy because out here in Ireland I have not one trans friend. I have never met a trans person here in Ireland yet.
Sometimes my dad gets me way down still cause he keeps calling me by my old name and crap.
It's so annoying cause he doesn't do it when talking to anyone else.
I feeling a dud for posting this, but again I'm needy. And there's some people here I really look up to and admire :') and some of em are here in the post :)
Hello My Beautiful Little Sister
First... No feeling like a dud!... You have brought up some wonderful points about how people view and use this site... They are actually some of the more important points that, in my opinion... are not addressed enough... So here are a few of my thoughts and HOPES...for whatever they are worth.
Everyone coming here has needs... The needs we encounter along the transgender journey are huge ones indeed... The need to make changes to our outer shell to finally reflect what we feel is inside us is HUGE... The need to know that others see what is inside us, by way of our outside presentation, is HUGE... Complicating matters is the fact that we feel we lose all ability to assess our own changes or make any accurate judgement about how others see us... As a result... We often look to others to be our mirror and provide that feedback...
Sadly sometimes, others can be a source of disappointment when we don't get what we are seeking from them...When we feel overlooked or ignored, our minds can go into a negative spiral as we imagine all the possibilities why... Our thoughts can often end up settling in a very negative place where we feel there is something wrong with us... This, little sister, is a mental process that I am not totally unfamiliar with!
Transition, by its very nature, is a time of intense focus on self... Sadly, that fact can make it a bit more difficult at times to get what we want and need from others... Our path is so unique that we look to others on the transgender journey as our only sources of true understanding of the complexities we face... In a situation like yours... With no other contact but online, the forum takes on even more significance... ( btw... I'd like to replace your word "crutch" above with the word ... "resource"... ) 😀
My HOPE, is that we all try to always remain cognizant that this place can be an emotional minefield of sorts and we need to always take care how we travel through it... There are always emotions at play here... Some times apparent and sometimes a bit more hidden but, they are always here and in our care... affected by our words, actions and even our lack of action as well...
Love... Kindness... Empathy...Truth... are always winners around here in my book... We are all in the same boat... we have to be gentle with ourselves and gentle with the others in the boat as well... Who knows?,...This voyage might just end up in a really beautiful place...
Now... My Beautiful Little Sister... I want you to KNOW just how GORGEOUS you are and KNOW that you are going to succeed in making your life into whatever you want it to be... You are in the process of making this life and this world your own and all shall be well 😀!!!!!
I am always here if I can be of help along the way...
Onward we go brave little sister,
Ashley 😀❤️🌻
Awww your so lovely Ashley, honestly, and you talk so well it's just so nice. I can be so broad and harsh with my words I often worry about leaving replies to things atall. And I often have to read over to make sure I haven't made a mess.
Its so dumb but often it's when you are needy you leave a word, and then of course if you aren't noticed it compounds the negativity that made you leave the comment in the first place.
Pay no mind to me, I have just been feeling terrible since I have not managed to get a job yet, I have run out of savings and tons of other wee nagging things chipping away at me.
But it's not so bad with my last 130 I bout a good few months supply of blockers and E. And I had a phone call finally this morning to get my levels checked.
I know things will pick up.
I do wish I had a friend in a similar position. I dunno why I feel like I need that, but it has just been on my mind.
Thank you so much for your words Ashley, you really are a beacon of light in an often dark world!
Quote from: Rachel_Christina on September 11, 2018, 01:49:28 AM
Yeah I see what the site does for so many.
I use it very much as a crutch, I'm often away and at my garage and stuff and don't get much time for online stuff.
Sometimes I feel like you are sometimes missed or ignored in the trail of posts. And in my case I often only post when I'm feeling low or needing support. So it just makes it feel worse.
It's weird sometimes I put it down to my crappy way of talking or writing. I make typos and my way of getting things down can be abit backwards.
I guess I'm this way needy because out here in Ireland I have not one trans friend. I have never met a trans person here in Ireland yet.
Sometimes my dad gets me way down still cause he keeps calling me by my old name and crap.
It's so annoying cause he doesn't do it when talking to anyone else.
I feeling a dud for posting this, but again I'm needy. And there's some people here I really look up to and admire :') and some of em are here in the post :)
Never feel that your contributions here are missed. I frequently only have time to just quickly read over things here and there and don't have time to write the responses that I would like to. I ALWAYS look forward to your posts because I so admire how you have transitioned. I know that it hasn't been an easy road for you. I wish I had more time to offer support to everyone here.
I don't know if you'd like to hang out with a visitor from the USA who may be visiting your fair country in a couple of weeks but I know she'd love to meet you.....
My roommate and I are planning on flying into Dublin the last week of September and spend a week or so traveling around the country. I know you got to hang out with Jessica a while back and I figured you might want to meet up with your big sis from California too. Shoot me a DM and I will let you know what my plans are as soon as we finalize them.
Quote from: Rachel_Christina on September 11, 2018, 12:35:48 PM
Pay no mind to me, I have just been feeling terrible since I have not managed to get a job yet, I have run out of savings and tons of other wee nagging things chipping away at me.
I'm with you on that... I'd manage to get an interview then I wouldn't go. It's like a cycle I made for myself. It's not a good situation to be in at all.
I hope things work out for you. How did your name change go by the way? I'm still stuck on that myself and it's kind of part of the reason I keep delaying things...
Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk
Quote from: Rachel_Christina on September 11, 2018, 01:49:28 AM
Yeah I see what the site does for so many.
I use it very much as a crutch, I'm often away and at my garage and stuff and don't get much time for online stuff.
Sometimes I feel like you are sometimes missed or ignored in the trail of posts. And in my case I often only post when I'm feeling low or needing support. So it just makes it feel worse.
It's weird sometimes I put it down to my crappy way of talking or writing. I make typos and my way of getting things down can be abit backwards.
I guess I'm this way needy because out here in Ireland I have not one trans friend. I have never met a trans person here in Ireland yet.
Sometimes my dad gets me way down still cause he keeps calling me by my old name and crap.
It's so annoying cause he doesn't do it when talking to anyone else.
I feeling a dud for posting this, but again I'm needy. And there's some people here I really look up to and admire :') and some of em are here in the post :)
Sweetie, that's what this site is for. To offer a safe haven to those in need of a port in the storm. A place for people to come when they need support and people to lean on when they might not have the strength to keep going by themselves. There is nothing wrong with wanting, or needing that. Nothing at all, okay? That's why Susan set it up, and why it's been going for so long.
You matter, okay? Your feelings matter. Your thoughts, wants, hopes, dreams, desires, heartaches, worries and needs matter. You're as valuable to this site as every other person who comes here. However you express yourself. It isn't "crappy". It takes a lot of courage to be able to even come here. To be able to say anything. So many people keep everything bottled up inside for so long that it burns a hole in them. They may be scared to get things out, scared to deal with people, scared that they may be seen as someone they don't want to be seen as... a whole plethora of things. So many people stand on that clifftop, looking down and wondering "what if". It takes a lot to make that leap, sweetie. So don't ever describe how you express yourself as "crappy".
You, and everyone else who wants to vent, cry, find solace, question, laugh, celebrate, share something in their lives... you are what we are here for. Without you, this site would not exist. You make it what it is. :)
It's okay to be needy, Rachel. Everyone is, sometimes. It's okay to not want to go through life alone, sweetie. It's okay to want to find others who can share in the things you're going through, and offer their insight on something you may be dealing with. It's okay to want a helping hand when sometimes you feel like things might be getting too rough.
That's what Susan's is. That's what it's always been, and hopefully what it will always be. Strength comes through community, through shared experience. I've lost count of the number of people I've seen here who didn't think they could go on and then found a strength within themselves they didn't know they had. Because they were encouraged to look for it. You have that inside you. Everyone here does. Sometimes we don't immediately see it because of stuff that's going on in our day-to-day lives. The world can bring you to your knees at times. But inside you is the steel to be able to get to your feet and keep going.
I know sometimes people's posts can get missed. But it's not intentional. I wish I had the time, personally, to be able to respond to everyone who is hurting and feeling bad. And needing someone to lean on. I wish that so much. What I will say to anyone who feels like that is that it's not intentional, and it's not done to hurt. You all matter. Every single one of you. Even people reading this who haven't joined yet.
Rachel, never feel bad for posting something, okay? Whatever it is. Your voice is as important as everyone else's. You are valuable. And wanted here, sweetie. You don't have to go through things alone, however much it might feel like it sometimes.
That goes for everyone. *huge group hug* :)
Nice to see a TG post, even if old. :)
For me Susan's Place is my nirvana and provides me with hope and support. I love this place and it helps me keep moving forward. It's so important to me to see people my age going through what I am. Without this place I would feel totally alone. Thank you Susan and all that are here. You are all my heroes!
Quote from: Sinclair on September 11, 2018, 10:12:11 PM
Nice to see a TG post, even if old. :)
For me Susan's Place is my nirvana and provides me with hope and support. I love this place and it helps me keep moving forward. It's so important to me to see people my age going through what I am. Without this place I would feel totally alone. Thank you Susan and all that are here. You are all my heroes!
Hey Sinclair!... it's good to see you my friend!!! I hope all is well in your world!!! The original post is a bit old but I was pleased to see this thread recently bumped... I posted on page 2 today and it lead to some wonderful PMs with my beautiful little sister Rachel throughout the morning... there are a lot of common themes in this journey for all of us and with the constant stream of new faces, I think there is great value in revisiting thoughts about those common themes... as in a good education.., build a good foundation with the basics and then build the beautiful life you want atop it!!!
Onward we go my friends!!!!
Ashley 🙂💕🌸
It's wonderful to see you here more often than you had been lately Ashley.
You've been a huge influence to me from my beginning.
You show so much caring with your incredibly positive nature.
I'm glad you're here for others that are in the shoes I was wearing when I started down the path we all share.
Hugs and smiles from a California girl
@tgirlamc
Quote from: Jessica on September 11, 2018, 11:30:41 PM
It's wonderful to see you here more often than you had been lately Ashley.
You've been a huge influence to me from my beginning.
You show so much caring with your incredibly positive nature.
I'm glad you're here for others that are in the shoes I was wearing when I started down the path we all share.
Hugs and smiles from a California girl
@tgirlamc
Thanks so much Jessica!!!... You have traveled far in a short time dear sister!!!... Bask in the glow of all you have accomplished and know that you always have another Nor Cal Girl in your corner... (even if she does still like the Dodgers over the Giants!!! 🙂)
Hugs and Love!!!
A 🙂💕🌸
Quote from: I Am Jess on September 11, 2018, 05:35:37 PM
Never feel that your contributions here are missed. I frequently only have time to just quickly read over things here and there and don't have time to write the responses that I would like to. I ALWAYS look forward to your posts because I so admire how you have transitioned. I know that it hasn't been an easy road for you. I wish I had more time to offer support to everyone here.
I don't know if you'd like to hang out with a visitor from the USA who may be visiting your fair country in a couple of weeks but I know she'd love to meet you.....
My roommate and I are planning on flying into Dublin the last week of September and spend a week or so traveling around the country. I know you got to hang out with Jessica a while back and I figured you might want to meet up with your big sis from California too. Shoot me a DM and I will let you know what my plans are as soon as we finalize them.
Thank you so much for these kind word Jess.
It's strange because though I was complaining much of of what you said about not having the time to reply to as many people as you would like, applys directly to myself included.
I have just been so needy lately I don't get it. Hopefully I will calm myself back down.
And for sure I will leave you a message and see if we can get something going on!!
Hopefully the weather is nice to you, this place can be very up and down lol but you get used to it :')
Thank you so much Jess!
Quote from: Allison S on September 11, 2018, 06:05:14 PM
I'm with you on that... I'd manage to get an interview then I wouldn't go. It's like a cycle I made for myself. It's not a good situation to be in at all.
I hope things work out for you. How did your name change go by the way? I'm still stuck on that myself and it's kind of part of the reason I keep delaying things...
Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk
No it is not, we have to brake these kinds of cycles. They are no good to ourselves or anyone!
I am also stuck on it. I'm financially stuck at the moment, other than that I would be able to see solicitors about changing it!
Hopefully we get ourselves sorted soon Allison!
Quote from: Sephirah on September 11, 2018, 07:43:06 PM
Sweetie, that's what this site is for. To offer a safe haven to those in need of a port in the storm. A place for people to come when they need support and people to lean on when they might not have the strength to keep going by themselves. There is nothing wrong with wanting, or needing that. Nothing at all, okay? That's why Susan set it up, and why it's been going for so long.
You matter, okay? Your feelings matter. Your thoughts, wants, hopes, dreams, desires, heartaches, worries and needs matter. You're as valuable to this site as every other person who comes here. However you express yourself. It isn't "crappy". It takes a lot of courage to be able to even come here. To be able to say anything. So many people keep everything bottled up inside for so long that it burns a hole in them. They may be scared to get things out, scared to deal with people, scared that they may be seen as someone they don't want to be seen as... a whole plethora of things. So many people stand on that clifftop, looking down and wondering "what if". It takes a lot to make that leap, sweetie. So don't ever describe how you express yourself as "crappy".
You, and everyone else who wants to vent, cry, find solace, question, laugh, celebrate, share something in their lives... you are what we are here for. Without you, this site would not exist. You make it what it is. :)
It's okay to be needy, Rachel. Everyone is, sometimes. It's okay to not want to go through life alone, sweetie. It's okay to want to find others who can share in the things you're going through, and offer their insight on something you may be dealing with. It's okay to want a helping hand when sometimes you feel like things might be getting too rough.
That's what Susan's is. That's what it's always been, and hopefully what it will always be. Strength comes through community, through shared experience. I've lost count of the number of people I've seen here who didn't think they could go on and then found a strength within themselves they didn't know they had. Because they were encouraged to look for it. You have that inside you. Everyone here does. Sometimes we don't immediately see it because of stuff that's going on in our day-to-day lives. The world can bring you to your knees at times. But inside you is the steel to be able to get to your feet and keep going.
I know sometimes people's posts can get missed. But it's not intentional. I wish I had the time, personally, to be able to respond to everyone who is hurting and feeling bad. And needing someone to lean on. I wish that so much. What I will say to anyone who feels like that is that it's not intentional, and it's not done to hurt. You all matter. Every single one of you. Even people reading this who haven't joined yet.
Rachel, never feel bad for posting something, okay? Whatever it is. Your voice is as important as everyone else's. You are valuable. And wanted here, sweetie. You don't have to go through things alone, however much it might feel like it sometimes.
That goes for everyone. *huge group hug* :)
Thank you too Sephirah! Its lovely to read your messages.
It's hard for me to sometimes let things out like this. And then I feel guilty for doing it like I shouldn't have opened my mouth. But I guess that's just how my father reared us.
Now I see all your responses I know it was a good thing to talk.
Thank you for your time and words for me, and to everyone who reads it, because it so important for others to know this aswell. Know that how they feel should not be held inside.
Thank you so much
Quote from: tgirlamc on September 11, 2018, 10:53:22 PM
Hey Sinclair!... it's good to see you my friend!!! I hope all is well in your world!!! The original post is a bit old but I was pleased to see this thread recently bumped... I posted on page 2 today and it lead to some wonderful PMs with my beautiful little sister Rachel throughout the morning... there are a lot of common themes in this journey for all of us and with the constant stream of new faces, I think there is great value in revisiting thoughts about those common themes... as in a good education.., build a good foundation with the basics and then build the beautiful life you want atop it!!!
Onward we go my friends!!!!
Ashley 🙂💕🌸
Ashley, you're here! :) Thanks for checking in and it's always great to have your perspective on all of our shared journeys. Things are pretty good with me, thanks for asking. I recently got a government job, which is amazing given my circumstances. I'm very happy with my progress and to cite your mantra, which I will never forget, "Onward we go!" Thank you Ashley for being here for all of us! :icon_chick:
Quote from: Sinclair on September 12, 2018, 08:50:54 PM
Ashley, you're here! :) Thanks for checking in and it's always great to have your perspective on all of our shared journeys. Things are pretty good with me, thanks for asking. I recently got a government job, which is amazing given my circumstances. I'm very happy with my progress and to cite your mantra, which I will never forget, "Onward we go!" Thank you Ashley for being here for all of us! :icon_chick:
Sinclair,
It's so wonderful to hear all is well my dear sister!!!... Yes... I've been posting a bit lately...You can check out the most recents through my profile!...Sounds like life is in balance while moving forward and purring along like a happy kitty!!! 😺<{Purrrrrrrrrr!}
Onward we go brave sister!!!
Hugs!!!
A 🙋♀️💕🌸
Hey.
I'm new here. Though I'm not very talkative, I wanna say you girls like elder sisters to me (well, maybe distant ones :D ) and I wanna be just like you someday when I grew up (figuratively lol) ^_^ Thanks for running this place, for sharing your experience and giving inspiration to new ones :)
Though I'm kinda on hiatus, I like to coming in Intro forum and greet new members. I don't wanna offend anyone but for me official welcomes aren't enough, and people need something simplier in additional to relax and have fun :) maybe I imagine things but that's the reason I greet most new ones :)
Quote from: Alice V on September 13, 2018, 12:47:57 AM
Hey.
I'm new here. Though I'm not very talkative, I wanna say you girls like elder sisters to me (well, maybe distant ones :D ) and I wanna be just like you someday when I grew up (figuratively lol) ^_^ Thanks for running this place, for sharing your experience and giving inspiration to new ones :)
Though I'm kinda on hiatus, I like to coming in Intro forum and greet new members. I don't wanna offend anyone but for me official welcomes aren't enough, and people need something simplier in additional to relax and have fun :) maybe I imagine things but that's the reason I greet most new ones :)
Hi Alice!!!
It is so nice to meet you little sister!!!... Making other feel welcome here as they arrive in the intro section is a beautiful and powerful thing indeed!!! Kudos and many thanks for all your good efforts! 😀 You have a good heart and that alone will take you to amazing places in your life!!!
Wishing you all good things in your journey ahead!!!
Onward we go brave sister!!!
Ashley 😀💕🌻
Hey Alice,
I get what you mean about the official type greetings, it just seems formal. With all the links to rules and regulations and whatnot.
It has to be done I suppose.
The funny thing is I don't think in my entire life I have ever read these type of things lol click agree and bounce!
But it's a very chill we community :')
Thank you for sharing this link about hope. Yes, that is what this place/ community is about and I appreciate it very much.
Best regards,
Bea
Quote from: Bea1968 on April 28, 2019, 12:41:08 PM
Thank you for sharing this link about hope. Yes, that is what this place/ community is about and I appreciate it very much.
Best regards,
Bea
@Bea1968
If I can ever be of help as you navigate the road ahead, please don't hesitate to PM me little sister!... Amazing discoveries await you in the days to come 🌺
Onward we go brave sister!!!
Ashley 🙋♀️💕🌻