Moms, Interrupted.

  This is about as close to a political post as I'll get; and I'm only doing it in reference to a question that came up at one of the town halls.  A mother asked how this candidate would protect LGBTQ+ rights if he was elected. She was concerned because she has an 8-year-old child who is transgender.  Let that sink in: 8 years old.  What were you doing at 8 years old?  I was probably listening to Rick Springfield and pondering the latest Judy Blume book (yes, I just dated myself). Now before I go on, let me be clear about something. This post is not about shaming any parent who is struggling with these decisions. I've been a part of an online support group for parents of transgender kids and I have read some heart-wrenching posts of parents who just don't know what to do. They have underage kids (mostly teens) who are clearly unhappy and the parents are trying to decide how to help them. There is NO easy path on this journey and I won't judge any parent for deci...

Took a big step today. I wrote a letter to my son and it was the first time I used his new name. I guess that's progress in the journey of acceptance, right?

One of the ways I see God walking with me in this journey is by the people He brings around me. Granted, I don't run into many parents in my situation in our local coffee shop, but I did find a social media group full of them. Parents going through the same experience. I read their posts and comments and realize they are feeling the same emotions as me. Struggling with the same conflicts. And it's comforting.  Feeling alone when dealing with a traumatic event is the worst.  But I am not alone. And you are not alone. Here's just a sample of the healing words I get the privilege to read: "I am at a loss. I guess I’m still processing everything and my own emotions as well." "I go back and forth some days, wanting to hide my head." "I don't have any answers, only wishes and prayers." "Sometimes I don't know if I'm doing the right  things . I know it's not about me." ...and then: "I am blessed to h...

I saw Tyler over Christmas (he lives in another state) and I knew I would cry when I did. Not only because I miss my kid, but because Tyler started the estrogen treatments last summer and I knew there might be some physical changes, as well as his wardrobe. I'm not going to lie - I did ask him to warn me if he was going to present fully as a woman so I could prepare myself. He agreed and arrived in a tone-down version of Katie. It was so good to see him, but so extremely painful. I noticed some physical changes, as well as the way he was dressed (which was more feminine). The only thing worse than trying to hold in a cry, is trying to do it in a house full of people.  I was at my dad's house, with my sister, niece, nephew, etc. We were just sitting down to eat, and I had to excuse myself to the bathroom to get myself together.  Once the shock wore off, the rest of the day was great. If you look past the physical, he was the same kid we know...

“Is there something you need to tell me?”     He said, “Yes, I’m transgender.” Those three words have changed my life forever. They also made things so clear. A distance had been growing between my son and I for a while. It started in May of 2014, when Tyler informed me that after graduation he was moving away to live near his dad, choosing not to attend a local community college as we had planned. The sudden decision (at least it appeared to be sudden) threw me for a loop and yes, I was mad. Why would he want to leave? I understood the desire to break away from your parents; having moved out myself when I was 19 years old. But we had made plans, and as far as I knew, he was good with them. Over the next few years Tyler would come home for visits, but there was still a distance between us. I just couldn’t pin point it, and spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. I finally chalked it up to the normal maturing process of separating oneself from their parents....