A bit of explanation first? I've re-published two previous but now re-edited versions of Lesley and the Lion and the retitled A Brief Journey to Badger Wood. This coincides with my recent new addition to my own take on Narnian myth, Daughter of Eve. Secondly. the stories themselves have personal meaning beyond my fascination with Lewis and Narnia.
Just shortly after I wrote Lesley and the Lion, I managed to get enough courage to give it to Mrs. D to read. Between that decision and her own delight with the Chronicles of Narnia series, Mrs. D continued her own journey in seeking to understand what transgender meant to me and how much of who I am. That in turn, coupled with her getting to know several folks here by way of learning THEIR love for me, convinced her in no small way to accept this part of me
In one of our last conversations, she asked if her husband was going away. No, I replied. In thirty-four years together she deserved patience since I was as honest as I could be. My hope was to spend more time showing her how much i loved her by honoring her concerns even as I might venture out of the wardrobe a wee bit more.. In posting these stories again, I hope that as much as they honor C.S. Lewis, that they honor her memory. She was and likely will remain the kindest, most loving person I will ever be blessed to know. You folks must take credit for being number two on that list.
On the 26th of this month, it will be a year that she was taken from us. In the meantime, it has been a very long year of sadness and challenges for my son and my own family and especially my in-laws. But along the way I gained a daughter-in-law who simply blesses my heart.
I have no time-table, but sometime before the end of the year I hope I have the freedom to use my writing to introduce my son and new daughter to Andrea. How much further this daughter of Eve peeks out of the closet if at all remains to be seen.
For those I never told, her name was Anne Thérèse after Thérèse the Little Flower. Her siblings had a hard time with her middle name. so everyone knew her as Tracey.
I want to thank every one of you for your kindness and encouragement; especially in light of my loss but also in that love you've shown me for over ten years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Comments
continuing to hold you in my heart
and a fleet of huggles are on their way to you.
Thank you 'Drea ,
' you have been a strength and inspiration to so many people on BCTS ,myself included , even to me 'changing
horses' at 77 years of age , giving me a serenity and happiness I never had in my previous life . I just hope and pray
that you will one day be able to do the same ,you deserve the happiness . Love from the old Cairns girl ! Should you
want to contact me Joanne will give you my e-mail address as we talk regularly on the phone .
Love your stories
I too have a great fascination with the work of C. S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles. Writing good fan fiction is an art, which in the case of Narnia you have mastered well. I found your work to be true to story line set forth by Lewis.
You are not limited by that, but have a great talent as a writer as well. I've always admired your work. I am in a similar situation with my wife as you. It's taken decades for me to earn the privilege to be me in her presence. It is a cherished gift she has given me. So I can appreciate how much it meant for you when your wife decided to accept that part of you. Like your wife, my wife worried that her husband would be gone and Patricia would replace him. But I've been able to convince her that the only thing that's changed about me from the man she met and fell in love with is the clothing.
I can only imagine the devastation you felt when your wife passed. I can't envision myself without my wife. You have been blessed and I'm sure that as you work through the year and you open yourself up to the rest of the family that you will continue to be blessed with their acceptance. You are a gentle person and know the meaning of love and how to express it. That ability will carry you through.
You are indeed loved here as you are in real life. May God shine down on you and hold you up in his hand.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann