Hugs Hon. I know it doesn't always help but it does get better. The hardest thing is to deal with family, so often they just don't understand, they seem to live in a half way acceptance. It can seem they love you one minute then reject you the next.
I put this down to some strange belief that you can be 'cured' of this odd turn in their lives, without realising that for us it is liberation and not an 'odd turn'.
We have dealt with our horror for all of our lives, they have dealt with it for days, weeks or months. It takes time. I know how horrible that sounds. Your brother sounds supportive but he is a guy 'losing' his brother not quite realising he has a beautiful sister instead. It is a normal male reaction, men generally are not good at these things. They live the solo male life, women generally don't, we like company being open and social, talking about personal issues, men generally don't like and can be uncomfortable with this.
People in the street! Goddess don't you just love them, all eyes and gawk! I found that wearing my feminity openly, non-aggressively, but proudly changed people. People will talk and look, if you can open up and be friendly, one of the biggest changes people notice is how happy you are. Family can see this as well. Use it as a weapon if need be.
When I began I wore my armour proudly, I would not let anyone hurt me. I'm stronger than them. Im a transgender woman. You now something? I'm proud of that, and you should be as well.
How did it all turn out? I'm now so well accepted it can take hours to do the shopping as so many people are my friends who want to have a chat. I'm interested in them and they are in me. We have big talks about kids birthdays, relatives going in hospital, the weather being lousy,good,getting worse or better - just normal stuff!
You are on the verge of a dream life. Grasp it. Don't worry about the haters, they will change.
You are with your family now and we understand how hard it can be.
My Love
Cindy
