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Post by FrozenPea on Aug 2, 2015 22:30:06 GMT
What a blessing that Noah has such a wonderful, loving, understanding family. Thank you for sharing your story.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,196
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Aug 2, 2015 22:30:49 GMT
Your story is very honest and heartfelt and moving. Every story and every person who speaks out help to educate and enlighten. I, too, as someone mentioned, am surprised by how many people here know a transgender person and it makes me wonder how many of us do but don't know it.
Hugs to you and to Noah. He is lucky to have a family so strong and loving and supportive. I wish all kids did.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,943
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Aug 2, 2015 22:32:28 GMT
Thank you for sharing Noah's story. I've been lucky to know a transgender youth. H was a 9th grader when i first met her in my class. J is now going to be a senior. He has gone through so much and has a long way to go, but I do feel blessed to know him.
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Post by cmpeter on Aug 2, 2015 22:38:50 GMT
Thank you very much for sharing your story. Noah sounds like an amazing human being. Dd has two friends who are transgendered. They are also lucky to have supportive families, but I know it's still a struggle.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,670
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Aug 2, 2015 22:40:41 GMT
Thank you for sharing your very personal and beautiful story. All the best to your family, and especially to Noah. Take care.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 2, 2015 22:40:46 GMT
You shared Noah's story in a way that makes it very understandable and real. I hope that choosing to do so has brought you some peace and lightened your load a bit.
Friends of mine went through this with their daughter transitioning to become their son. His name is Monte and it was a long road for him and his family, but they are doing really well. I wish that for your son and you as well.
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,510
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Jul 4, 2014 21:35:44 GMT
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Post by MorningPerson on Aug 2, 2015 22:44:46 GMT
I've only really read the first few paragraphs of your post, (and I WILL go back and read the rest), but my immediate reaction is to want to give you and your child a big, accepting, loving hug.
I can't imagine how very difficult this is for your whole family, but I'm so thankful that families (yours, mine, who knows...) in similar circumstances will be so much more understood in today's and tomorrow's world.
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Post by snappinsami on Aug 2, 2015 22:46:15 GMT
Thank you for sharing this very private story. It was so touching to read, and made me happy for Noah - and all of you! - that your family is as supportive and understanding as it is. It sounds like he has a bright future ahead of him, and with your love and support, he'll no doubt go far!
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Post by mommythree on Aug 2, 2015 22:50:24 GMT
I wish Noah a happy, wonderful life! May all of his dreams come true!
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,676
Location: Kansas City -ish
Jun 27, 2014 2:38:58 GMT
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Post by Anita on Aug 2, 2015 22:54:10 GMT
What a moving and powerful story of growth for you all. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by momstime on Aug 2, 2015 23:01:35 GMT
Noah is loving and accepting of others. You are loving and accepting of others. Noah is brave. You are brave. I wish you all a lifetime of happiness. Good job, Mom.
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Post by flanz on Aug 2, 2015 23:05:32 GMT
Noah has been blessed to receive such a wonderful and parents. You have been blessed to have Noah in your life, exuding all the positive values that we all want for our kids. Thank you for sharing such a positive post. I look forward to more posts. It is incredible to me how our society is changing and for the better and your sharing your family's story can probably help others who have their own set of questions. "DH and I have put four incredibly kind and wonderful kids onto this earth so far, so I’m sure we got this. We are still a family of six, and we still have four amazing children: we now have one daughter" I think that statement above pretty much sums it up perfectly. edit - I have to say I have gone back and read and reread your entire post. It has moved me so much, reading all the highs and lows. You describe everything with a raw emotion that makes me really empathize with what you and your family has gone through. The way you tell your family's story makes me feel like you need to be sharing it with more because it is so hopeful, so full of love. It is so honest. I am sorry for all the pain Noah, then A went through but wow, he is so lucky to have you by his side in his journey. I am really having trouble trying to express just what I am feeling but I am in awe and i hope that from here on out, your positives over shadow any negatives that could pop up. So beautifully stated marimoose , I agree completely! wrongwayfeldman - way to go MOM!!! i am a married straight woman with grown kids, and I am a staunch ally of LGBTQIA folks. I know several, and with two exceptions, their families of origin were absolutely ghastly when their kids came out to them, in some cases tossed them to the curb like yesterday's trash. Heartbreaking. Noah is so very lucky to have your love and support, and vice versa . Echoing others, I would love to see you write a memoir and perhaps a blog, to share your insights and message with a larger audience. When you're ready. In the meantime, BRAVO for being awesome!!!
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calgal08
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,519
Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on Aug 2, 2015 23:08:26 GMT
Thank you for sharing such a person story. A and Noah have the same wonderful, caring heart. My MIL always used to say life is a book with many chapters. May this new chapter in Noah's life bring peace and happiness.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on Aug 2, 2015 23:14:46 GMT
I'm in tears reading all of your words of support. I am truly overwhelmed at your words. Thank you.
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Post by femalebusiness on Aug 2, 2015 23:15:26 GMT
Sharing your story is important. People reject, judge and are afraid of most things that they don't understand. The more that people speak up, the less teenage misery and suicides there will be. The teen years are difficult enough without the added stress of figuring out how to be true to yourself in a society that condemns anything that is a little out of their comfort zone.
It's about time that we humans let people be who they are without all the stress of being judged. Who you are in your head IS who you are and frankly it is no one else's business. If transgender people make you uncomfortable then you have a problem, not the transgender person.
I hope in this day and age Noah can be comfortable in his own skin, something that a lot of people are not.
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Post by mom on Aug 2, 2015 23:25:49 GMT
Thank you for sharing your heart.
More kiddos need mama's like you.
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Post by tinydogmafia on Aug 2, 2015 23:29:52 GMT
Thank you for sharing your story. I think you have and will continue to help more people than you realize, just by sharing your story. You sound like an amazing family. I can't begin to imagine the stress and difficult times you've been through. Please know that I think you've done a great job! Good luck to you and Noah in all your new adventures!
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TXMary
Pearl Clutcher
And so many nights I just dream of the ocean. God, I wish I was sailin' again.
Posts: 2,845
Jun 26, 2014 17:25:06 GMT
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Post by TXMary on Aug 2, 2015 23:41:37 GMT
Thank you so much for sharing your story in such a beautiful and heartfelt way. Noah is very lucky to have such a loving and supportive family.
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Post by melanell on Aug 2, 2015 23:45:50 GMT
Thank you for sharing that with us. I wish you, Noah, & the rest of your family all the best.
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Post by metaldancer on Aug 2, 2015 23:46:14 GMT
That took a lot of guts!! Thank you for sharing the story of your family - may you continue to find love and support as you walk this new family path!
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Post by sues on Aug 2, 2015 23:52:27 GMT
So much AWESOME in one family- really, bravo to all of you. For a kid to go through what Noah went through, and come out the other side in such a positive way, is incredible. That he has the support of both parents and siblings is a blessing. You are a remarkable family. I hope things continue to look up every day for all of you.
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Post by scrapnatya on Aug 2, 2015 23:57:16 GMT
Sending lots of support and hugs to you and Noah.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,987
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Aug 2, 2015 23:59:21 GMT
Thanks for sharing your story. All the very best to Noah.
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Post by mdpea on Aug 3, 2015 0:19:30 GMT
Thank you for sharing your story. I find it inspirational. Noah sounds like a beautiful person & is so lucky to have a family like yours behind him,
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Post by beaglemom on Aug 3, 2015 0:30:37 GMT
Thank you so much for sharing. Your son (all your kids) are very lucky to have such supportive and loving parents.
It is very interesting to me how this process plays out for different people. The rabbi that married us was going through transition, female to male, when we got married 10 years ago. At the time she told us that she was on hormones because of female issues. She was always masculine looking and just told us to use the gender neutral version of her name and let people think what they wanted about whether she was male or female. At the time I thought it was because she knew that there were some conservative people on my side.
A couple years later I was starting a new job and was talking to one of the other teachers and mentioned her. And the other teacher informed me that she was now a man. We got to see him a couple months later and the transformation was amazing. He was so much more confident and exuded such love and compassion. So handsome! It was so wonderful to see, he apologized for not being more upfront with us when we got married, but we totally understood why (since very few people were coming out as transgender at the time). It was also amazing to see how accepting and loving his congregation was.
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Post by penny on Aug 3, 2015 0:30:45 GMT
My heart was bursting as I read your post... There is nothing in the world like love and understanding and kindness... Thank you for sharing, and being open to sharing... Love to all of you...
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jannrasp
Shy Member
Posts: 18
Jun 26, 2014 0:40:41 GMT
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Post by jannrasp on Aug 3, 2015 0:31:18 GMT
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Learning about transgender issues becomes so much easier when a personal story is attached to it. For many people, it is easy to think, "that's weird," or "that's just wrong," when we hear about people being transgender. But when we learn the very personal story of someone "just like us" (a mom, a scrapbooker, a wife), we learn empathy and become less judgmental.
In my school district, several stories have made the news lately about students who are transitioning, and it's so sad to read negative comments about these sweet children and their families, who have already gone through so much. I have never been prouder of our 2P community than today, reading such supportive and caring comments.
Thank you again for sharing your story, and I agree with the others who would love to follow your story as it unfolds. Your writing style is honest and compelling.
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Post by pb on Aug 3, 2015 0:31:34 GMT
I truly believe the "it gets better" campaign was pivotal in helping change people's opinions on gay marriage as well as being so important to the well being of children facing these issues. Your story is so heartfelt and moving. Hopefully stories from parents like you and children like Noah will help make a better world for all.
Thank you so much for sharing.
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Post by AussieMeg on Aug 3, 2015 0:33:59 GMT
I am not asking you to agree with our family, or to try to change our mind. I am asking for you to simply honor and respect my kids by educating your own kids about families like ours. I know you said you’re not asking people to agree with your family, but I’m here to tell you that I do agree wholeheartedly with the way your family has chosen to respond in this situation. You and your husband are truly wonderful loving parents, and Noah is very lucky to have you as his parents. I recently saw a story on Facebook about a gorgeous transgender child who was born a girl but identifies as a boy. It really touched me, and I showed it to my 10yo son. I kept it pretty low key because I wasn’t sure that he’d be able to understand. Our brief discussion was along the lines of “Hey, how cool is this, Milla was born a girl but wants to be a boy and her parents are going to help her.” And also a discussion about the bullying that Milla has experienced at school, and how I would hope that my son would be more accepting. Here is a link to the slideshow: MillaAlso, just last week DSO and I watched a Louis Theroux documentary on transgender kids: Louis Theroux - Transgender KidsTonight, in honor of Noah, I am going to have a more in depth discussion with my 10yo son about Noah and other kids like him. I think that kids today are more accepting of gay and transgender kids than we would have been “back in my day”, but there is still a long way to go. I think if we all talk to our kids about this kind of stuff, it normalises it and will help them be more even more accepting. And hopefully one day we will no longer see the hatred and bigotry that we unfortunately see today from some people. I wish Noah and your family all the best in your journey. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Post by flanz on Aug 3, 2015 0:37:12 GMT
I am not asking you to agree with our family, or to try to change our mind. I am asking for you to simply honor and respect my kids by educating your own kids about families like ours. I know you said you’re not asking people to agree with your family, but I’m here to tell you that I do agree wholeheartedly with the way your family has chosen to respond in this situation. You and your husband are truly wonderful loving parents, and Noah is very lucky to have you as his parents. I recently saw a story on Facebook about a gorgeous transgender child who was born a girl but identifies as a boy. It really touched me, and I showed it to my 10yo son. I kept it pretty low key because I wasn’t sure that he’d be able to understand. Our brief discussion was along the lines of “Hey, how cool is this, Milla was born a girl but wants to be a boy and her parents are going to help her.” And also a discussion about the bullying that Milla has experienced at school, and how I would hope that my son would be more accepting. Here is a link to the slideshow: MillaAlso, just last week DSO and I watched a Louis Theroux documentary on transgender kids: Louis Theroux - Transgender KidsTonight, in honor of Noah, I am going to have a more in depth discussion with my 10yo son about Noah and other kids like him. I think that kids today are more accepting of gay and transgender kids than we would have been “back in my day”, but there is still a long way to go. I think if we all talk to our kids about this kind of stuff, it normalises it and will help them be more even more accepting. And hopefully one day we will no longer see the hatred and bigotry that we unfortunately see today from some people. I wish Noah and your family all the best in your journey. Thank you for sharing your story. Amen, Meg!
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