Quote from: HappyMoni on August 19, 2018, 10:52:57 AM
Hi Steph,
I hope you didn't think me rude for not responding to your post, the necklace, and your kind words. I was blown away by your thoughtfulness of including me in such a fantastic way. I was so happy to be able to talk to the other sisters by Facetime.
Hi Moni,
Of course I don't think you were rude. All of us knew you had a lot of things going on, and while we all consider each other extended family, immediately family should always come first. We knew that in other circumstances you'd be there with us, and we were sad that we were going to miss each other. But knowing you were there in spirit, I wanted you to share the same keepsake the rest of us would have.
I had also arranged to get a good high-resolution picture of you (thank you Laurie and Ann!), and I was planning to print it out full-sized and put it on a stick so you could be in all the pictures with us. Alas, in the rush to get ready, that project got lost in the shuffle.
Two days in a row Cassie and I told each other that we needed to get Moni on FaceTime, and each time we realized that it was too late at night at your home to call you. I was so glad we finally got to talk after a lot of us had already vacated Pleiades Place. Sorry you were driving at the time! It was pretty cool anyway.
QuoteAs you know, the reason I couldn't be at the wedding was for family health issues and wanting to be there for them. This morning, I am playing catch up on Susan's as we just got back from a week in Gatlinburg, TN. Above is a view from the deck where we stayed of a sunrise over the Smokies. As some of you might know, we were there with my brother and sister in law, Suki.
I'm so glad that Suki was able to be there with you. The ceremony sounds a little like the one I had on New Years to celebrate the acceptance of my transition by all my family, friends, and neighbors. We burned a picture of my old drivers license, cards with male pronouns on them, and a bunch of my old baseball caps, which were sort of my trademark in the old days. Such symbolic ceremonies represent such deep feelings and a break with the past along with a celebration of new beginnings. I'm sure emotions ran high, and it's so cool that you all had a reason to celebrate.
Your train trip sounds pretty awesome. I'm sure it was beautiful in the forests of Tennessee. Sorry you got misgendered. I hope it was accidental instead of intentional. As you may know, I still have problems dealing with misgendering, especially since I'm sure that it's accidental. It makes me wonder what I've done wrong, but I'm beginning to realize it's on them, not me. Some day I'll fully believe that.
QuoteSo, thank you again, Steph and Cassie. You are awesome. I am looking forward to a visit from Anne and Debi soon. Love, Moni
I'm sure I speak for Cassie as well as myself when I say it truly was our pleasure. Your smile on FaceTime made it all worth it. Wear it with pride and remember your loving sisters.
Stephanie