Roxy

Christmas was totally stress free this year, except for a little excitement the day after Christmas.

Melanie does volunteer work with the elderly, and has worked with Jean a number of years. Jean recently lost her little dog, Libby. I'm sure there was an emptiness in her heart at Christmas.

The animal shelter was closed Christmas Eve. Melanie made a phone call and, when they learned the circumstance, they opened just for her on Christmas Eve. She found a cute little Jack Russell terrior named Roxy. She was told Roxy had been mistreated in the past and all she needed is tender loving care.

They took care of all the papers and several of the workers went to the car to send Melanie and Roxy on their way. It was so emotional, and the true spirit of Christmas, Melanie said they all had a good cry right there in the parking lot.

Roxy was fine, but somehow got loose Christmas night. Melanie rushed to Jean's mobile home park and was searching for Roxy by flashlight until almost midnight, with no luck.

I went over with her the next morning, hoping we could corrall the dog. We walked and ran until 2:00 PM. We were expecting the police to show up at any minute to see what we were up to. We spent the day crouching behind bushes and automobiles, hoping the dog would come close enough to grab. We were crouched behind my car. Melanie looked at me and said, "you come here often?" The girl never ceases to totally crack me up.

She finally had the idea of putting some food in her car and leaving the door open. Sure enough, Roxy hopped in the car, and I ran over and closed the door. I saw how traumatized the dog had been. She literally climbed under the dashboard and lodged herself. I put on gloves and had to pull her out.

Roxy is fine now and will have a good home. I got plenty of exercise that day, which was also a good thing.

Below is a photo of Roxy immediately after I closed the car door.

Christmas Thoughts

I find myself reflecting on the meaning of Christmas more than usual this year. For me personally, this was possibly the most fulfilling Christmas ever. I even enjoyed Christmas music more than usual. I did manage to hear "Feliz Navidad" only once, so that was a blessing.

This was the year I reconciled with my two children, not having seen them in several years. I left two voices messages during the holidays to invite them over, anticipating no response. My daughter did call and said she would love to come. The call from my son came the next day. For anyone who knows me personally, you realize this was a monumental event.

I was on somewhat an emotional edge, but was proud of myself for maintaing my composure. Until that is, I asked how the dog was. The little Sheltie, Samantha, whom I loved so passed away several months ago. I suppose I was destined to 'lose it' during the evening. Even so, I did relatively well until they left.

Cristmas Eve was a candlelight service and communion at the United Church of Christ I have joined. It was such a lovely service and made Christmas very real.

I also attended the Chrismas morning services. Although there were fewer people than Christmas Eve, it was a lovely service, nonetheless. I talked with my son again Christmas evening. This sounds insignificant, but it represents a reconciliation of which I had only dreamed.

I was speaking with a lady in church Christmas morning. She made the observation that God perfects situations in His own time. I believe this is true. I have long known if we do what we feel is right in our heart, situations will eventually work out for the best. I think in a lot of lives, mine included, we get off the track. Our hearts may know what is right, but we stray.

I will share more about my church and my beliefs in future entries. Suffice it to say for now, I am of the mindset that if I think of myself as a Christian first, and a transexual secondly, the things that are genuinely right for me will come to pass. It's a matter of priorities, a lesson it has taken me a lifetime to learn.

The Iraqi election, Transamerica (the movie)

The election in Iraq was held yesterday. Irrespective of my personal view on whether invading Iraq was right or wrong, as I view photos of people who had courage to vote in the face of danger, it brings home the fact of how fortunate we are in this country.

'Freedom isn't free'. Freedom entails courage and sacrifice. We tend to take for granted that the basic freedoms we enjoy were purchased with the blood and tears of generations of brave human beings. When I saw the above photo of an Iraqi woman who had just voted, I saw pride in her eyes for being able to do something we have come to consider a fundamental right.

As transgendered individuals, whatever our place on the gender path, we have a fundamental right to be proud of who we are. Our right to self expression is one the freedoms for which there has been a high price. I believe we have an obligation to take pride within ourselves in being who we are, perhaps even an obligation to the community.

It is an often used phrase that we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. The level of acceptance we enjoy in society today is the result of the courage and sacrifice of so many brothers and sisters, most of whom are unsung heroes. When we think of our freedom, their legacy deserves to be remembered.

(photo above courtesy 'bluemeany') href="http://bluemeany.diaryland.com/electionday.html">


On a different note, Transamerica - the movie (http://www.transamerica-movie.com/) starring Felicity Hufffman (Desperate Housewives), who plays the title role of Bree, a transexual woman in pursuit of her dream.

This movie has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards, including Felicity Huffman for best actress. In viewing the trailers, I find several scenes that strike rather close to my heart.

This is an instance where the transexual role as portrayed by a genetic woman is extremely well done. Scheduled for release 12/23/05.

The Ryan White Story

The Ryan White story has been widely publicized. This was a young man who contracted HIV at the age of 13 from blood products used in treatment of his hemophilia.

During a time when HIV was not fully understood, Ryan and his family went through a a frightening amount of persecution. He was expelled from school in his hometown of Kokomo, IN and was ostracized by his friends. His mother was even the subject of rumors that she was somehow the cause of his illness.

Ryan's bravery during his ordeal was a source of strength to his family and led to increased public awareness of a misunderstood subject. What happened to this young man could have happened to anyone, given the lack of knowledge in the early 1980's.

Ryan's mom, Ms Jeanne White-Ginder continues the outreach begun by her son and gave a presentation at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte the evening of December 3rd. It was an emotional presentation, and also eye opening. There were more than a few tears that evening. It left a definite impact on me personally.