I am so very sorry for the hurt inflicted on you by one of the few people we're brought into this world to believe would love us unconditionally, and know well what it is like to see that disappear and feel like it is some personal shortcoming or failure when it is not. My heart goes out to you, and the strength you…

You brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Never give up on that dream though, you've got time and it's never too late to enjoy who you are.

You're never too old to change, anything.

Also if it helps, in another 10 - 20 years you're just going to look like a saggy sack like most 60 - 70 year olds do, you can be a happy sack of a woman, or a sad sack of a man, but nobody, at, all, will care how you look, just that you are happy.

May as well be happy right?

I'm a dude. Regular dude. Straight dude.

It's not too late. It's not too late, it's never too late. Please, you can still transition. Please, do whatever you need to to be happy. Please.

of course, id help them be the best of whatever the hell they wanted to be, be it normal pretty or handsome or all 3 or just 2 of those of maybe none of those... or maybe half of one and something of the other thing or something....

It is never too late to do the right thing for yourself. Seriously, life is too short already to spend it unhappy just because we try to live as others think we should.

Christine, just remember that it's never too late to be who you are. I knew I wanted to be and should have been a girl from the time I was 3. When I was 8, I first saw the look of disapproval in my mother's eyes. It was another 30 years before I mentioned it again, to anyone. I spent decades hating myself and…

let it be known that if i ever have a kid, say a son who wants to wear dresses i'm going to make sure hes the prettiest boy in class, so pretty that even straight boys in class would want to date him. Or if its a girl that wants to be a boy i'll maker her so handsome that she'll be rolling in women (or guys).

Girl, you are a tough badass to have lived this. To have even a tenth of your strength is to be stronger than most people.

Dear Christine, you and I are about the same age, and I am so impressed by your courage and survival. Every day I think, today will be the day I start over, and kick off the traces, and start living my life without fear for the first time...and I don't even have the challenge of being trans!

(((*hugs*)))

I sincerely hope that one day you are able to live your truth.

your story hurts my heart. i want so badly to give you words of encouragement or hope or extoll your resilience, but i feel like i can't do that without coming off as patronizing. i don't want to assume anything, but based on what you say you've probably heard it all before and nothing can erase the scar your mom…

Oh wow, I can only imagine how you must feel...

I hope that you posting today made you feel a little bit less alone. Because you defiantly are not. You are part of a larger community that might only be online for you at this time, but it's something valuable. Hold on to it. Never stop reaching out.

Normalcy is an illusion.

Christine,

Christine, happiness can still happen. Please reach out to someone, anyone you trust. There are so many resources now that there weren't even five years ago. If you're in the Northeast, I can put you in touch with some great folks. Much love.

That's not rain, those are my tears. xoxo