@Maid Marion

Quote from: Maid Marion on December 02, 2018, 02:08:44 PM
It is the priceless acceptance that it represents.

I expect that you are right.  The depth and the constancy of her acceptance are making all the difference for me.

Beth

Quote from: BlueStar on December 02, 2018, 03:34:20 PM
@Maid Marion

I expect that you are right.  The depth and the constancy of her acceptance are making all the difference for me.

Beth

It was so refreshing to read you partners first forays onto this board. I thought at the time that whomever had Her as a partner was truly blessed. The hair clip is a little a perfect example of just how accepting. Many of us will never get to experience "little girl" moments that many long for. The clip is a small example of the depth of that acceptance

Take care

liz


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote from: BlueStar on November 30, 2018, 04:05:46 PM
@Beverly Anne

It wasn't until I was sitting down in the chair, and the nurse - a rather stern faced young woman - was approaching with the syringe, that it occurred to me that maybe this wasn't the best time or place to have tried this out. But, much to my surprise, when she saw my fingernails, her face softened. She seemed disarmed - much more relaxed than I'd ever seen her before. For the rest of the time I was with her, she spoke to me with surprising kindness and respect.

It was a completely different story, though, when I got back into the waiting room. There sat a man, a little older than I, maybe in his 70's. I hadn't put my gloves back on yet and he immediately caught sight of my painted nails. I saw him gawking at me, from the corner of my eye, the entire time I was crossing the room. From the look on his face, it was clear to me that he considered me to be an utter abomination. He seemed to have lost his ability to control himself - unable to stop gawking and unable to hide his contempt. (Hopefully, after that encounter, he'll handle his next meeting with a transwoman a little better!)

I think the man represented the past - what attitudes were like, here, when I was a child. Those were the days when I first wanted to be female but didn't dare speak of it to anyone. I think the nurse represented the softening of those attitudes - how younger people, at least, are beginning to make a place in their world for transpersons like us.

Beth

I agree. It is unfortunately the case that we seem at times to witness an anti-reaction from the older generation. However we usually receive a much more understanding and accepting stance from the younger generation. Times are changing, I am delighted to say.

Hugs

Pamela

Quote from: pamelatransuk on December 03, 2018, 06:40:04 AM
I agree. It is unfortunately the case that we seem at times to witness an anti-reaction from the older generation. However we usually receive a much more understanding and accepting stance from the younger generation. Times are changing, I am delighted to say.

I think the changes with younger folks are absolutely wonderful.  While there are a few younger 'haters', the vast majority are accepting and peer pressure keeps the few in line (unless they form packs!)

The older generation will die off, and with them will go their poor behavior.  I'll be gone as well but the young folks will have a much better, happier life, and I rejoice in that.

Hi @BlueStar , Beth,
   I have been wondering how you are feeling lately. If you feel like sharing, I would love to know more of how things are going for you. Are are finding it easy or satisfying to expand your horizons?
Moni

Moni, Ann, and everyone who has been so kind as to wish me well, on this thread,

Thank you for your concern. All is well in my world.

My initial HRT appointment was just a few days ago. The staff were very friendly and supportive, and gave my wife and me plenty of time to ask questions and consider the choices. In the end, I walked out with the prescriptions already sent in to my pharmacy. I never expected this to happen so fast!

So my HRT has only just started and I doubt it has had any real effect on me yet. Still, I feel so happy. In fact, I cannot remember ever feeling happy like this and so a part of the world. For once, I feel as though my lifetime, and my body, can be perfect for me. I feel as though my body is finally beginning to express my true self. I feel increasingly comfortable being out in public, comfortable in my clothing choices, and comfortable that how I choose to look is how I should look. (Is this what non-trans people feel like all the time?!)

In some small way, this is like being able to go back to that point, when I was a very young child and first experiencing gender dysphoria, and taking the other path... the one where my gender and physical sex were in perfect alignment. It's as if all the dysphoria-related unhappiness that came between that moment and the HRT appointment just vanished in a puff of smoke. Who knows if this feeling will last. But even so, I've gotten to a place where, as recently as a few months ago, I never imagined even reaching for.

During the lead-up to Christmas, I told my story, by letter, to several of my old friends. One response was a transperson's dream: immediate and fully supporting. He couldn't have been more helpful and encouraging. The other response was strange and disappointing, coming, as it did, from someone who had once been such an excellent friend. He completely ignored my coming out story; it was as if those  paragraphs of my letter had never been written. I suppose everybody who comes out has a story or three like that (or worse).

A few months ago I couldn't foresee if coming out and transitioning would turn out to be the right thing to do or if it it would be a mistake. I finally decided that I would just take one step at a time. And if completing a step left me feeling healed and energized, I'd know that it was a step in the right direction. If not, that would be the end of it. By this measure, every step so far, especially HRT, has turned out to have been exactly the right step to take.

Transitioning has been a very healing experience for me!

I hope everything is going well with you. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your stories.

Beth

Quote from: BlueStar on January 06, 2019, 06:21:37 PM
A few months ago I couldn't foresee if coming out and transitioning would turn out to be the right thing to do or if it it would be a mistake. I finally decided that I would just take one step at a time. And if completing a step left me feeling healed and energized, I'd know that it was a step in the right direction. If not, that would be the end of it. By this measure, every step so far, especially HRT, has turned out to have been exactly the right step to take.

Transitioning has been a very healing experience for me!

Beth, congratulations on starting HRT!!  Your post, especially the part I quoted, brings tears of joy to my eyes.  Your approach sounds exactly right.  May your healing continue.

Beth,
   I am so glad I asked you to give an update. Your response was so good to hear. It is wonderful to hear that you are on a path that is making you feel whole, happy! I appreciate your wisdom of watching your reactions as you progress. Actually experiencing things rather than theorizing what might happen can't be emphasized enough. I really think you have fantastic things headed your way. You are just open the doors to your real world and I am excited for you.
   As for how people respond to your news, the good ones can really boost you, and the bad ones can hurt. You know what you are doing is right, and the mature, true friends will stick with you. Some people take time to adjust. Be strong and confident in being you. The rest is not in our control.
   Hug hugs,
   Moni

Quote from: BlueStar on January 06, 2019, 06:21:37 PM

So my HRT has only just started and I doubt it has had any real effect on me yet. Still, I feel so happy. In fact, I cannot remember ever feeling happy like this and so a part of the world. For once, I feel as though my lifetime, and my body, can be perfect for me. I feel as though my body is finally beginning to express my true self. I feel increasingly comfortable being out in public, comfortable in my clothing choices, and comfortable that how I choose to look is how I should look. (Is this what most non-trans people feel like all the time?!)

In some small way, this is like being able to go back to that point, when I was a very young child and first experiencing gender dysphoria, and taking the other path... one where my gender and physical sex were in perfect alignment. It's as if all the dysphoria-related unhappiness that came between that moment and the HRT appointment just vanished in a puff of smoke. Who knows if this feeling will last. But even so, I've gotten to a place where, as recently as a few months ago, I never imagined even reaching for.

Beth

Hello again

This really is a wonderful uplifting summary of your starting HRT and the immediate high and exciting and confirming feeling afterwards. Congratulations on starting HRT; you'll remember that event for ever! I am sure from your description that already you believe quite correctly that you are on "the right fuel" and that you appreciate the emotional realignment of brain/mind to body in that the GD has disappeared (if only temporarily) and you feel "top of the world".

I note the differing reactions from your old friends; so glad one is fully supportive and sad about the other but please don't assume it is necessarily a complete blanking as some people need to process before coming to a decision on acceptance.

Finally HRT certainly heals and I hope it continues for you not only with HRT but with your transition as a whole.

Hugs

Pamela