One of my most treasured mentors among the many beautiful souls who frequently visit Susan's Place had a childhood friend whom my mentor credits with inoculating her against gender dysphoria at a young age by providing her with a safe space to be gender variant. Since I'm coopting someone else's childhood, I've changed the name of the special friend, but she has become a bit of a meme binding me to my mentor. Jenny is the friend I wish I had when I was a little girl who everyone called a boy. I never had a friend like that and the only people I can recall who supported me in my femineity were therapists whose friendship was purchased one hour at a time. And all the people I've met inside Susan's Place. I hope my mentor's childhood was not unique and many of you had a 'Jenny' in your life. If you did, I would love to meet them.   

@Mrs. Oliphant
Dear Mrs. Oliphant:
Thank your for sharing your heartfelt and lovely posting with your sweet comments and thoughts.
Yes indeed, cherish your like minded and supporting friends as you continue in your own life journey.

HUGS and best wishes to you...
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Mrs. Oliphant,

Growing up, I was surrounded by six girls and two women for the first seven years of my life, as my parents would travel for business and leave us with my paternal grandmother, taking my older brother with them.

There were my two younger sisters, four older cousins, my paternal grandma, and one of my father's aunts. Each of these women, in their own way, shaped the world I saw and felt. I remember how my grandma's wisdom made me feel safe, and how my father's aunt always had time for me. My cousins and sisters were like a little community of support. We shared laughter, secrets, and the simple joys of childhood together. We played games, explored the world around us, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged to something special, a sisterhood that kept me grounded and loved.

But when my parents settled down, everything changed. The familiar bond I had with the girls and women in my life was torn away, leaving a painful emptiness. My parents tried to reconnect me with my older brother, but it felt foreign. He didn't want to play with me, didn't understand me. He would say I acted and played like a girl, which cut deep.

I didn't know how to cope with the hurt.

All I wanted was to return to the world of laughter and comfort I had known with the girls and women I grew up with.

To this day, I live near my younger sisters. My cousins are married and distant, but we still stay in contact through social media. My older brother and younger brothers are Republicans, and they live in Ohio. I haven't told them that I'm trans, and I wonder how things will unfold when I do.

I would say that all these women and girls were my Jennys. 😊



~ Lilis 💗

Quote from: Mrs. Oliphant on April 10, 2025, 12:26:13 PMOne of my most treasured mentors among the many beautiful souls who frequently visit Susan's Place had a childhood friend whom my mentor credits with inoculating her against gender dysphoria at a young age by providing her with a safe space to be gender variant. Since I'm coopting someone else's childhood, I've changed the name of the special friend, but she has become a bit of a meme binding me to my mentor. Jenny is the friend I wish I had when I was a little girl who everyone called a boy. I never had a friend like that and the only people I can recall who supported me in my femineity were therapists whose friendship was purchased one hour at a time. And all the people I've met inside Susan's Place. I hope my mentor's childhood was not unique and many of you had a 'Jenny' in your life. If you did, I would love to meet them.   

My "Jenny" was probably the heroines I stole away to read in my grandma's book collection when I was a kid. Lots of Tolkien and Enid Blyton.

I think... I don't like calling you "Mrs", Do you have a first name I can call you? I feel like you missed out on a lot that you're only now getting to experience. You should never have to buy acceptance. From getting to know you around the site... you are much more than you think you are.

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 05:06:09 PMDo you have a first name I can call you?

Annika. I adopted the 'Mrs. Oliphant' as an alter ego almost a decade ago (Mrs. Doubtfire was already taken}. But when I think of my self, Annika is the name I use. Sephirah is the only name you need when I think of you. You are Sephirah. And there's never any doubt.

Quote from: Mrs. Oliphant on April 10, 2025, 07:35:35 PMAnnika. I adopted the 'Mrs. Oliphant' as an alter ego almost a decade ago (Mrs. Doubtfire was already taken}. But when I think of my self, Annika is the name I use. Sephirah is the only name you need when I think of you. You are Sephirah. And there's never any doubt.

I love any name with a "K" in it. It's so nice to meet you, Annika. <3 I prefer that to Mrs Oliphant.

My real name is Lauren, honey. "Sephirah" is the name I chose because it is a reflection of one of the steps of the Jewish Qabbalah. One node of the tree of life. I am Sephirah, the totality is Sephiroth. It's all very esoteric.

I am very happy to meet you, Annika. <3

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 07:43:12 PMI am very happy to meet you, Annika.

Sephirah/Lauren, you have given me a homework assignment. I am a bit familiar with the Torah. But not the Qabalah (assuming there's a difference). Esoteric is my forte. I hope I do Sephiroth justice. But the tree of life? You chose a perfect pseudonym. 

Quote from: Mrs. Oliphant on April 10, 2025, 07:54:54 PMSephirah/Lauren, you have given me a homework assignment. I am a bit familiar with the Torah. But not the Qabalah (assuming there's a difference). Esoteric is my forte. I hope I do Sephiroth justice. But the tree of life? You chose a perfect pseudonym. 

Hah, I didn't mean to, Annika.

When do I get to see you in all your beauty? Like Lori?

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 08:05:17 PMWhen do I get to see you in all your beauty? L

Assuming disappointment is not your least favorite emotion, I plan on posting my pic soon. My daughter helped me pick out two dresses for my 'coming out' party. They should be here any day. I mean, a girl needs to dress appropriately for such a big moment.

Quote from: Mrs. Oliphant on April 10, 2025, 08:10:14 PMAssuming disappointment is not your least favorite emotion, I plan on posting my pic soon. My daughter helped me pick out two dresses for my 'coming out' party. They should be here any day. I mean, a girl needs to dress appropriately for such a big moment.

Annika, you could never disappoint me. Truth be told I am someone who doesn't really care how someone looks. I care about how they express themselves... the 90% of people we see when we don't see them. I tend to go on how someone is mentally, not physically. But I have a feeling you are going to be as beautiful physically as you are mentally.

Wow! I always thought when I looked into someone else's eyes, all they ever saw was their reflection of me. I tried to look past the reflection. And sometimes succeeded. Lauren, I truly believe I see past the reflection in the eyes of the beautiful silver-haired blonde (who once had raven hair) I see when I look at you. Too bad this isn't a dating site. No. I meant to say, I'm glad it's not. We have more important things to discuss. 

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 07:43:12 PMMy real name is Lauren, honey.

Lauren is a beautiful name... there's something graceful about it. It's nice to meet you here, Lauren.

Quote from: Mrs. Oliphant on April 10, 2025, 09:24:43 PMWow! I always thought when I looked into someone else's eyes, all they ever saw was their reflection of me. I tried to look past the reflection. And sometimes succeeded. Lauren, I truly believe I see past the reflection in the eyes of the beautiful silver-haired blonde (who once had raven hair) I see when I look at you. Too bad this isn't a dating site. No. I meant to say, I'm glad it's not. We have more important things to discuss. 

Annika, you are someone very special. All we can do in this world is all we can do. And when we meet people who align with us, that's very special. Hah, honey I would be the worst date in the world. Trust me. You can do much better. <3

Quote from: Lilis on April 10, 2025, 09:31:27 PMLauren is a beautiful name... there's something graceful about it. It's nice to meet you here, Lauren.

Thank you, sweetie. It is what it is. Would like to meet you too, sweetie. Unless you're actually called Lilis... in which case... I bow to you, mistress! <3

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 09:34:09 PMUnless you're actually called Lilis... in which case... I bow to you, mistress!

Lilis is my real name.... but noooooo bowing, please! 😊

Quote from: Lilis on April 10, 2025, 09:37:26 PMLilis is my real name.... but noooooo bowing, please! 😊

In that case... Lady Lilis... it is an honour to know you. As it is Lady Annika. <3 It's a hard thing to put yourself out there.

I am reading through what Annika sent me. This girl is way out of my league. She has a grasp of Native American life that I can't even hope to understand.

Annika, you are not wrong when you say you're a great writer. Damn.

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 09:44:55 PMIn that case... Lady Lilis... it is an honour to know you.

Thank you, Lauren. Likewise! 🫂

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 09:44:55 PMAs it is Lady Annika. <3 It's a hard thing to put yourself out there.

You're right... but with kind souls like you and Lady Annika around, it feels a little less scary and a lot more magical. 💗

I got to chapter three. This is... my god this should be an actual book that you can make money from. Annika, you have amazing talent. I will read more when my head isn't so screwed up with other stuff. But I promise you, you have such a literary gift. As do so many on Susan's.

Quote from: Sephirah on April 10, 2025, 09:57:45 PMAs do so many on Susan's.

I have read so many posts written by so many people that took my breath away. Beautiful people share beautiful moments, and I am honored to be among them. Among us. As far as an actual romantic kind of date, well, those days are far away and long ago. But there's no way, Lauren, I could have ever done better. But a nice dinner with a glass of decent wine while talking about how we got be who we are? I am up for that. So, if you ever hop across the pond, give me a shout. Chapter 4 is the most intense sequence of scenes I've ever attempted to put to paper. I hope it blows you away. And I hope, even more fervently, it doesn't throw you out of the story. If it does, please don't tell me.