for months now and thought it was time to introduce myself.

I'm MtF, in my late 40's and chose to go by Rhonda. Married with two wonderful children and a very lovely, understanding wife. A late transitioner, I've been on HRT for a few months after finally confronting my GID and seeing a therapist. As is with others in this forum, I thought I was too old to transistion. I felt I wasted my life avoiding my authentic self, constructing an unfulfilling shell that hid my essence. I've isolated myself from people my whole life, including my family. Having been thru depression, alcoholism, and a reckless life, not caring if the end came to quench my anger and sadness, I'm beginning to live life anew.

I came to Susan's looking for answers and other people like me, at one of the lowest points in my life. Crying at the many posts where I saw myself, even those contemplating death. At Suanan's I saw hope and strong people, transistioning/ed at all ages. I see a community where I feel comfortable to be me and am truly beginning to believe I can live out my life as the woman I should have been.

Rhonda

<sigh>  Oh to have transitioned as young a woman as you are.

Robyn

Welcome Rhonda,

Your still young.  I hope you find the support you are looking for here. 

Sarah L.

Welcome, Rhonda!

You have indeed found a special place.  I have been a member for over a year and lurked for about 5 months before I joined.  I am still blown away by the level of kindness and support I and others receive.  Please take a moment to read and use the Terms of Service that we all follow.  They are very easy to adhere to since they just boil down to "be kind and decent."
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html

I hope you'll take advantage of the other areas in this site too.  The Wiki is wonderful for factual information and the links can get you even further.  And I hope you'll try out our chat room where things get kinda goofy now and again but we're always happy to stop and help along.

I'm happy you found us, Rhonda, and I hope to get to know you better in the future.

again, WELCOME ! !
helen

Welcome
I hope u have a pleasnt long forfilling stay

Rhonda,

A big welcome to you!  Thanks for choosing to participate.  We all look forward to getting to know you.

Kristi

Hello Rhonda.

I would just like to add my warm welcome to the others here.  I'm so glad that you have found us and have decided to participate as that's Susan's is all about and it makes us strong.  Sharing problems, and our trials and tribulations helps everyone, and it's a key reason why we are so successful.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek and offer advice as we all have experiences that we can benefit from.  So as was already mentioned... do participate where you can, and relax you're among friends.

Steph

Hello Rhonda and welcome to Susan's!

I am Tink-By-The-Bay  , nice to meet you and thank your for your introduction.  I'm also very happy that you have found us and that you are finally living as the woman you are.  I'm sure that you've been exploring the forums and I'd also suggest you take advantage of our many resources such as the wiki, chat, and the links posted at the main page.  We look forward to your future posts and participation.  Enjoy your stay! 

tink

hihi, nice to meet you -waves-

Thank you all for the warm welcome! I look forward to participating in the forums and have already found them to be a source of inspiration. I've been impressed by the honesty and sharing of experiences, good and bad, by the people here. The wiki has been useful too and I'll get to the chat at some point soon.

Rhonda

YAY! Another friend!  We like friends!

A warm hearted welcome to you.

Cindi

Hi Rhonda!
Good to meet you.
Glad you stop looking and have introducts yourself.
We do like new people here at Susan's

Jillieann

Quote from: rhondabythebay on March 19, 2007, 01:54:58 PM

I'm MtF, in my late 40's and chose to go by Rhonda. Married with two wonderful children and a very lovely, understanding wife.

Rhonda

Hey... me to!!!  Except I didn't chose to go by Rhonda!!!  That was my second choice  The best thing about Susan's is finding out you are not alone. So glad to see you here.

Debbie

Hi Rhonda, A better place to be to discuss just being you, you'll not find anywhere.  Does it count that I can see the Bay from my yard. Welcome.

Beni 

Quote from: debbiej on March 25, 2007, 09:55:53 PM
Hey... me to!!!  Except I didn't chose to go by Rhonda!!!  That was my second choice  The best thing about Susan's is finding out you are not alone. So glad to see you here.

Debbie

Debbie,

Thanks for the welcome. I find that Susan's is a place where I don't feel alone and that the struggle to be oneself and overcome the negative feelings and perceptions of others is appreciated. When I feel down this is the place I come for a pick me up and sometimes a good cry. Until I found Susan's, I didn't realize that so many people come out later in life...that has really given me hope that I can live out the rest of my life as Rhonda.

Quote from: Beni on March 25, 2007, 10:34:16 PM
Hi Rhonda, A better place to be to discuss just being you, you'll not find anywhere.  Does it count that I can see the Bay from my yard. Welcome.

Beni 

Thanks Beni,  I concur on the value of this forum. Hey, you've got a better view than I have of the bay! Living in S.F. is my eventual goal...so someday I'll have a much better view.

Rhonda