Now that Tugon has replied to Erica Ann's post, I feel free to.

[Three wise women, indeed, my friend Tugon ]

Erica Ann and I had a wonderful phone conversation Saturday that left me even more excited about spending Christmas with her and her family.

While I don't have OPI Double Decker Red for my nails, I do have OPI Chick Flick Red. Our colors may clash, but I doubt it will be serious enough to interfere with the good cheer.

It was 10 months ago that Erica Ann and I first met, on another trip to the Windy City. We had spoken on the phone before that. Over the intervening months, I have continued to feel closer to Erica Ann, in the same way she describes.

Life can open up new possibilities for relationships and other good things at critical moments. This has definitely been the case with Erica Ann. I had no inkling on my February visit that I would lose my job in several months. But the foundation was already being laid for a very positive, caring relationship that helps me through this period of unemployment.

Beyond that, I also view Erica Ann as the sister I never had and that is awesome!

I suspect that, if they were still alive, my parents would have eventually accepted me and by extension Erica Ann. Unlike my siblings, who behave as if they are frozen in a 1950s time warp where they are incapable of changing their views, my parents continued to grow in their understanding and acceptance of others throughout their lives.

As I wrote awhile ago on my own transition thread, I have not enjoyed Christmas for at least the last 15 years. This year, that will change.

It's the day of Christmas Eve and Danya has arrived to join us for Christmas. We had dinner together last night and spoke on the phone with both Terri and Jesus. It was great to speak with you again Jesus. I have not had the pleasure since the MOM back in early August.

After dinner I showed Danya the route to the hotel and helped her with her luggage. With my youngest son home for the holidays we just didn't have the room to put her up comfortably, so I arranged for a nice room for her at the Hampton Inn & Suites I built as the general contractor. It's only about a mile and and half from my home, so it's close by and very convenient.

I'm just so excited. This is going to be the best Christmas I've had in years especially with my sister Danya joining us.

..........

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:30 am With my youngest son home for the holidays we just didn't have the room to put her up comfortably, ...........

I didn't know that you have children. Apparently you are very fortunate in that they accept your transition.

Merry Christmas to you Girl.

Mac (imported) wrote: Fri Dec 25, 2009 12:52 pm I didn't know that you have children. Apparently you are very fortunate in that they accept your transition.

Merry Christmas to you Girl.

Thank you Mac. Yes, I have two sons, 27 and 24, who are both accepting of me. I am very fortunate to have them both as well as my spouse in my life.

Very Merry Christmas to you too!

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:44 pm Thank you Mac. Yes, I have two sons, 27 and 24, who are both accepting of me. I am very fortunate to have them both as well as my spouse in my life.

Very Merry Christmas to you too!

Yes, you are very fortunate to have a wife and 2 grown sons who all are accepting of you as a woman. Have you found any new ways to have fun with your wife?

Count your blessings! I am really envious of you.

Merry Christmas and a very good New Year to you.

P.S. I saw where you helped Danya to have a wonderful Christmas. You are a great gal and also have a wonderful family.

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year. I haven't enjoyed Christmas this much in over 3 years and so much of it had to do with having Danya join us this year. She is a wonderful person and such a joy to be with. She is truly the sister I never had and I do cherish her so much.

She has helped me so much in bringing my Christmas spirit back. I didn't even think of my former extended family this year and wondering what they were doing without me. No more tears and anguish. They are no longer a part of my life and I have gotten past the lost and mourning of them. May they go off and live the rest of their lives in peace without me because that's exactly what I plan on doing. As I have said in the past...it's their loss, not mine.

A belated Happy Christmas and I'm envious you didn't call us! Its not many people who get to talk to Jesus (Or THAT one? Nevermind) on his birthday....

I'm really glad you had a good time and it was not filled with former family trauma. Uck! Anyway, best wishes!

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:31 pm We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year. I haven't enjoyed Christmas this much in over 3 years and so much of it had to do with having Danya join us this year. She is a wonderful person and such a joy to be with. She is truly the sister I never had and I do cherish her so much.

She has helped me so much in bringing my Christmas spirit back. I didn't even think of my former extended family this year and wondering what they were doing without me. No more tears and anguish. They are no longer a part of my life and I have gotten past the lost and mourning of them. May they go off and live the rest of their lives in peace without me because that's exactly what I plan on doing. As I have said in the past...it's their loss, not mine.

Erica Ann is the sister I always wanted and I am so fortunate to have her in my life. She is very caring and fun to be with, and I trust her completely. I feel like I've known her my whole life. My only regret is that we live so far apart. As I was starting my drive home, I called Erica Ann and her spouse to tell them I already missed them.

This Christmas was my first without any contact from my family. Being with Erica Ann and her family helped me, too, to get past the loss of relatives. Besides, I cannot imagine anything having gone better during my visit. I had a wonderful time.

I've had two wonderful experiences over the past two days. The first one occurred on New Years Eve while attending the big celebration of the event at a local nightclub known as Hunters. Late in the evening one of the bartenders came up to me and told me that someone had bought me a cocktail. Naturally being one who never refuses a free drink I accepted. About 10 minutes later a gentlemen approached me as he was leaving and introduced himself. He said to me "I just had to buy you a drink. You're the most beautiful woman in the bar tonight." He wished me a Happy New Year and then proceeded to depart.

The other occurred last night when at the invitation of a friend I went to a local establishment to hear a cover band which I'm familiar with and by the way is a great band. Shortly after arriving I was heading outside to enjoy a cigarette, when a young man stopped me and asked my name. He proceeded to join me outside along with another woman. We chatted for a minute or two and then he said to me "Do you mind if I asked a question?" I replied of course not. He took a minute to phase his question in a politically correct manner and asked "Are you trying to be transsexual?" I responded "No...I am a transsexual." He then told me that he has a degree in fashion design and that his thesis for graduation was a project on fashion for transgendered women. Because of this experience he had met quite a few transgendered women and that I was far and away the most beautiful and feminine TS he had ever met. He said "The hair, your face and the way I carry myself were all very feminine." He asked about my status and I told him I was post op and he was very excited to hear that and asked for how long. He then gave me a hug and said "How exciting. Good for you!"

All in all, it's been a weekend that was certainly good for my ego! I also wanted to say thank you to Danya for providing the photo for my revised avatar.

You are quite beautiful, Erica. I've always thought so and your new avatar shows this [I didn't realize this was from a photo I had taken - cool!] We women always love to be complimented on our looks. You're also beautiful on the inside.

I am so glad I have the photo of the two of us at Hunter's. I've been showing it to quite a few friends. I had a terrific time.

Hugs,

Danya