After Christmas, I wrote of Melanie caring for Jean, an elderly lady whom she met at a senior center. Jean became very ill Feb. 1st. Melanie kept her vow to Jean and stayed by her side in the hospital. As I watched Jean's life slip away, I emotionally relived my own mother's death six years ago, as did Melanie. Jean's room was only a few doors from mom's room.
In those days and hours, there is time for personal reflection. Melanie whispered in Jean's ear that it was okay to 'let go'. The dear woman did let go the morning of Feb. 4th.
It occurred to me that 'letting go' can have many meanings throughout a lifetime. There are times when we must 'let go' friends, family, possessions, careers and eventually, even life itself. In 'letting go' we often gain much more than we have lost. I have no doubt that in 'letting go', Jean is now with our Heavenly Father.
I underwent a job change in the month of February. I had been in an extremely stressful situation the last several years. During the evening of Feb. 2nd, in the darkened hospital room, I realized the old saying about the 'final straw' was gradually taking shape at my workplace. I thought of the lessons of 9/11, of which I speak so often; time is such a precious commodity and it is incumbent upon each of us to live life to it's fullest. I realized in those wee hours that it was time for me to 'let go'.
The next morning, I tendered my resignation. I was able to take a month off work and have arranged new employment.
Today as I was leaving church, I asked myself if life could get any better for me than it is right now. I have no doubt I made the right decision, irrespective of change never being easy for me. I do believe life will get even better. There are goals yet to be achieved.
The evening of January 31st, I and three other members of Kappa Beta, a support group, visited a sociology class at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This continues a tradition begun by another member 15 years ago. In his opening remarks, the professor spoke of a phone call he received almost 16 years ago. The caller asked the professor if he was versed on transgender issues. In the last 15 years, countless students know a great deal more about a subject which remains an enigma to so many.
During those remarks, I found myself wondering how many students have been shown we are not what you see on Jerry Springer. I wondered how many young people were dealing with the very issues of guilt and self doubt that we have, and were given hope.
I probably too often use the analogy that 'we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us'. It happens to be true. That phone call by Bobbi Renee, almost 16 years ago, began an outreach that continues today.
The class visit probably meant more to us than it did to most of the students. There are countless others in our community doing infinitely more in the way of education and outreach than we did. The level of acceptance we enjoy today is sum total of effort by many unsung men and women. It is an awesome feeling to be even a small part of that sum total.
Each of us gave a short presentation on our lives, followed by a question and answer session with the students. We were extremely well received and were able to visit personally with several students after class.
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