Quote from: Lady Skylar on April 16, 2018, 05:36:57 PM
I'm just afraid I'll disappoint them, especially my older brother who always for whatever reason looked up to me rather than vice versa.

My Dear Lady,

How could anyone be disappointed when someone they look up to does something that requires great courage and conviction?  If they can't respect that, who is it they looked up to, anyway?

~Terri

Welcome back Terri!  It's always great to see what you have to post because they are so full of detailed helpful information.  I know you've been through a lot and your experiences are very important for people to know what they may be going through.  It's important for people to know that transitioning doesn't necessarily mean unemployment and total nonacceptance.

We all go through periods of self doubt and questioning if we should proceed.  You are so right though when you say once the information is out we will forever be labeled as being different.  I made the decision to out myself very early in the process (It took me 4 months from starting therapy to be legally and permanently female) because I knew I had to transition and I wanted to rip the band-aid off in one quick motion.  I knew once I made the announcement to my family and friends that I was going to be fully committed to moving in only one direction.  I know you have had struggles and I so admire you for fighting through everything and coming back to be a resource for our community.

I don't post as often as I should because I am pretty busy with living my life.  I've never been as eloquent and detailed has you have been in passing along information to those coming along behind us.  So I am super excited to see you back and passing along the information.  You are such a source of inspiration to so many and I am so glad that I can call you my friend.  I am going to be back in the DC area Memorial Day week and we better meet up and go shopping again.  I will be in touch with all of the details and we can get our schedule worked out. 

Love you girlfriend!   

Hi Terri and welcome back.  I'm new here but have followed your posts as you are in my "age group" and your writing has been thoughtful and worthwhile to read.  I hope things start to take a better turn for you.

Judi

Welcome back Terri! We missed you. Although many of us are on similar roads, all of us have different experiences during our journey. People who have 'been there and done that' are a tremendous help to those just starting out who may have no idea what to do or what to expect. Thanks for coming home.

Quote from: I Am Jess on April 16, 2018, 06:25:11 PM
Welcome back Terri!  It's always great to see what you have to post because they are so full of detailed helpful information.  I know you've been through a lot and your experiences are very important for people to know what they may be going through.  It's important for people to know that transitioning doesn't necessarily mean unemployment and total nonacceptance.

We all go through periods of self doubt and questioning if we should proceed.  You are so right though when you say once the information is out we will forever be labeled as being different.  I made the decision to out myself very early in the process (It took me 4 months from starting therapy to be legally and permanently female) because I knew I had to transition and I wanted to rip the band-aid off in one quick motion.  I knew once I made the announcement to my family and friends that I was going to be fully committed to moving in only one direction.  I know you have had struggles and I so admire you for fighting through everything and coming back to be a resource for our community.

I don't post as often as I should because I am pretty busy with living my life.  I've never been as eloquent and detailed has you have been in passing along information to those coming along behind us.  So I am super excited to see you back and passing along the information.  You are such a source of inspiration to so many and I am so glad that I can call you my friend.  I am going to be back in the DC area Memorial Day week and we better meet up and go shopping again.  I will be in touch with all of the details and we can get our schedule worked out. 

Love you girlfriend!

Hi Jess!

Thank  you for the kind words. Funny you should mention inspiration, because when I first joined this site three years ago, you were one of my heroes. As you mentioned, you rocketed through transition, and you didn't seem to be gripped by fear as so many of us are.  I was very much afraid, and in awe of what you accomplished. You and Keri (now long gone from this site I think, although she briefly re-surfaced under another screen name) were amazing examples to us all. On top of all that, you turned into a great friend!

I definitely want to hook up with you if you are back here for Memorial Day weekend! Keep me posted!

With love and kindness,

Terri

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on April 16, 2018, 08:01:31 PM
Hi Terri and welcome back.  I'm new here but have followed your posts as you are in my "age group" and your writing has been thoughtful and worthwhile to read.  I hope things start to take a better turn for you.

Judi

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on April 16, 2018, 09:31:05 PM
Welcome back Terri! We missed you. Although many of us are on similar roads, all of us have different experiences during our journey. People who have 'been there and done that' are a tremendous help to those just starting out who may have no idea what to do or what to expect. Thanks for coming home.

Hi Judi and Jessica,

You girls are going to make me cry!  You are so sweet!  I am pretty sure I made the right decision to devote more time and energy to the site.

I remember one of the last posts I made before I kind of went into hiding. I said something like "maybe it's best if I don't post here anymore". I didn't feel like I was helping anybody.  I am not some authority on transitioning or transsexuals, just one voice. But as you say Jessica, we all have our own paths and our own stories, and I think the thing that makes the biggest difference here is not some encyclopedic knowledge of transitioning, but the little personal vignettes.   

When we transition, most of us feel so alone.  We feel like we are the only persons in the world going through these horrendous periods of self-doubt and insecurity. To read a story from someone who seems to be in a similar situation can be such a salvation. 

We are not all strong.  We are not all brave.  I was the most timid little mouse you could imagine.  Well this little mouse got her cheese and lived to tell about it. To this day I am not sure how I did it.  But if I did it, you can, too. And if I can help you, I will surely try.

With love and kindness to all of you,

Terri

You got to start giving yourself some credit when it comes to talking about your strength. You dealt with things I never had to and you came out on top.
As for me being your little guinea pig, lol, we have to put a stop to that. Enough with the surgeries! Well, after my hair transplant, my boob job, my colonoscopy, and my possible GCS revision. Oh crap, I am a lab rat not a guinea pig. Sure you don't want to get colonoscopies with me?
I think it is a very positive thing for you and us that you are back here. Love you Girl!
Moni