***hugs***

[Guest Miss_Construe]

Hey everyone,

The horrors and hardships that I read here daily and see others struggle with in my home town are staggering. I often feel guilty about succumbing to my paltry struggles in comparison to those around me. The trials that everyone endures would buckle the knees of Greek and Roman heroes. If you are reading this than it means you are still fighting, still struggling, still advancing and continuing to make progress. We all have off days and weeks. Life will always find downs for us and it is in those times that we grow and change. In those times we shape our convictions and solidify who we want to be. We press on despite not knowing why we carry on, but we still move forward.

We ask for help, beg for help, and shun help. We look everywhere for support and guidance and insist on doing it ourselves at the same time. We often feel alone and like we are going crazy, longing for a safety net as we are perched precariously on the high cliff of transition. We often wonder how long till we reach the ledge and it doesn't seem to come until someone else points out we are already there. We feel foolish for not seeing what was always right in front of us and frustrated that others cannot see what is right in front of them. I am fortunate to be in a safe location to transition and have a ready made support network built by my predecessors. I only had to turn my head and there it was, built and operating, willing to accept me for who I am, who I was, who I think I am and every other identity I could muster. I hope this can be that place for everyone here and I hope that everyone here can find that kind of support in the physical world.

Everyone here is amazingly kind and gentle. Your hearts are so great that I often wonder how you do what you do day in and day out. The reason the looks and the miss-gendering hurts so much is that we want to connect with others so much, and something as superficial as our appearance stands in the way. Take solace in the fact that your hearts are that big and open to others. Be proud of how amazing you are and that you have come this far. No matter where you are, even if this is your first step, you have made it so far. For those who are starting, I am so proud of you. For those ahead of me, I am in such awe of your strength and guidance.

Thank you to everyone for being who you are and not hiding any more. My friends here and in the physical world truly inspire me every time I step, every time I speak, every time I walk out my door. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. I hope that you no longer tolerate people telling you that you are a second class citizen. You are the elite, forged in the furnace of transition and imbued with compassion, depth, passion and humanity.

Thank you once again,

<3

Amy

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

wow........

dj

[Guest Karen K]

Miss_Construe,

It is I who should thank you.

Laura Jane

[Guest JaniceW]

Amy,

A truly wonderful sentiment, but please know that you are part of what makes this place so great.

[Guest miss kindheart]

<<<<< hug >>>>>

Amy

vanna

[Guest John Chiv]

Amy,

The love and warmth from your heart and others here is what makes each of us persevere. Like any family, we disagree sometimes, we like some people more than others but when it really matters, we stand by each other. You are a beautiful woman with a soul whose splendor shines.

Hugs,

John

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Oh My!

Lizzy

[Guest Shari]

Amy,

My goodness, I felt that one.

Hugs,

Shari

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

I thinks we need to change her name to Guru Amy..lol .

[Guest Syrra]

No words...

~hugs~

~Syrra~

[Guest BeckyTG]

Amy,

What fabulous ideas! Thank you for sharing them. I really appreciate it and, having lived it, understand how relevant they are.

BTW, great photo in the avatar. You are truly a beautiful woman.

Hugs,

Becky

[Guest Miss_Construe]

I was just kind of ranting. Thank you everyone .

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and continues the good fight.

<3

Amy