Shoes

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What do shoes have to do with a teenage boy understanding some major life changes his younger sibling is going through? Read on and find out. :)

Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown


 
The damp morning breeze was still chilly, but I left my bedroom window open anyway to get rid of the smell of recently dried paint. The lacy white curtains fluttering in the breeze didn't really look right for a boy's room, but they would do until Mom could find some decent ones that fit my window.

I was laying in bed, staring up at the slanted ceiling and wondering how much of doing nothing I could fit into my first day of summer vacation when I heard a knock. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. From the timid sound of the knock I had a good idea who was there, but I wasn't ready to see him yet. To stall while pulling myself together, I shouted, "Who's there?"

"It's . . . it's me."

I felt like such a jerk when I heard the nervousness in his voice. Since our parents had sat down with me to tell me about the changes that were going to happen this summer, and especially after I'd been moved into my own room, I'd been avoiding talking to my little brother. It didn't look like I'd be able to avoid him any more. "Come on up, Brian."

I realized I was in my underwear as the door creaked open, found a pair of sweat pants in the pile of clothes next to my bed and quickly slipped them on. It felt weird worrying about being seen like that by someone I'd spent years sharing a room with. As I sat back down on my bed and started pulling a musty smelling, but still wearable, polo shirt over my head, I heard soft steps slowly climbing the carpeted stairs.

The first thing I noticed when I could see past the collar of my shirt was his hair. It wasn't the first time I'd seen him in a ponytail before, but seeing it higher on his head made him look a little different. He froze when our eyes met and his expression shifted somewhere between worry and fear. "You sure it's okay? I didn't know you was still sleeping."

That was my little brother, always thinking about other people's feelings. "It's okay, Bri."

My brother smiled when I pronounced his nickname as 'bree' (to rhyme with bee) instead of 'brye' (to rhyme with bye) and started climbing the steps again. I wasn't ready to call him Brianna yet, but bending on the nickname wasn't all that bad. Seeing his sunny smile was definitely worth it. I smiled back and did my best to brace myself for what I'd see next.

I was a little surprised when I saw he was wearing a pretty ordinary t-shirt. Yes, it was pink and yes, it had tiny white flowers on it. If you ignored the flowers and colors though, it didn't look all the different from a boys shirt. I was even more surprised when he climbed another step and I saw he was wearing even more ordinary looking blue jeans. "I thought you'd be wearing a skirt today."

He stopped again and his smile wobbled. "Actually, I was gonna. Should I go back and change?"

I realized right then he must be as nervous about talking to me as I was feeling. "No, you look fine."

Bri's smile came back and he finished climbing the steps. That's when I saw the shoes. They were pink, shiny, had little holes where his white socks showed through and thin straps on them that buckled on the side. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't imagine them being anything a boy would wear. "Ummm, nice shoes."

His cheeks turned a deep pink. "Thank you. I really like them a lot."

Seeing him just standing there looking shy and nervous was just a bit too much for me, so I jumped up from my bed and shouted, "Tickle Monster attack!" Before he could take more than a step back, I swooped down on my brother and grabbed him around the waist.

He was already giggling when I dumped him on my bed and it didn't take much tickling to have him squirming and squealing. "Stop! You're gonna make me pee!"

"Well," I said in my gruff Tickle Monster voice, "I don't think your big brother would like that, so I'll let you go . . . for now."

Bri was still smiling as he recovered from being tickled, but there was a sadness in his eyes. "I've missed my big brother."

"I've missed my little br-- I mean, I've missed you too. Sorry I've been such a jerk lately."

"Well, we ain't talked like we used to, but you ain't been mean or nothing. Dad told me you wasn't talking 'cause you felt confused and needed to figure stuff out."

I sat on the edge of the bed and looked over my shoulder at my . . . sister? That word still felt weird when thinking of someone I'd always known as my brother. "I still feel pretty confused."

Bri sat up and slid across the bed until he was sitting a few inches away from me. "What you confused about?"

"Mom and Dad tried to explain to me how you're a girl on the inside even though you're a boy on the outside."

He looked down at the floor and bounced the heels of his pink shoes against the wooden sideboard of my bed frame. "I dunno if I can explain that too good. It's kinda like me being left handed. It ain't something I just decided to do. It's just part of being me."

"I won't say I really understand it, but I'm trying to wrap my brain around the idea. What I'm really stumped on is why you feel like you need to dress like a girl all of a sudden. If you've always been a girl and you've always worn boy clothes up until now, why do you need to change?"

"Because the boy clothes felt uncomfortable."

"What was wrong with them?"

Bri's feet stopped bouncing and he looked up at me. "They just felt . . . off. It's like--" I could almost imagine a light bulb popping up over his head as a grin stretched across his face."I got an idea, but I need to borrow your shoes. Where they at?"

"Umm, over there in the bottom of my closet."

Bri bounced off the bed and ran in the direction I had pointed, then skipped back a few moments later carrying my good going-to-church shoes. After laying them in front of me, he sat on the floor and looked at me, still wearing that silly grin. "Okay, put your shoes on."

I looked down and noticed the right shoe was next to my left foot, and visa versa. When I crossed my right leg over to reach the right shoe, Bri grabbed me by the ankle. "No, not like that." He then moved my right foot over to the left shoe, slid it on me, then did the same with my left foot. After tying the laces in neat bows, he looked up again with a slightly more serious expression. "How they feel? They too tight or anything?"

"It feels weird having my shoes on backwards, but it doesn't hurt or anything like that."

Bri got to his feet and held a hand out to me. "Think you can stand up?" I took his hand and carefully pulled myself up from the bed. After I had my balance, Bri let my hand go and took a step back. "Okay, try walking now." Bri followed me as I did a slow circle around my room. "So how's it feel walking with your shoes on backwards?"

"I don't know. It just feels. . . ."

"Off?"

It was my turn to have a little light bulb appear over my head. "You mean, this is how you've been feeling all your life?"

Bri silently nodded, then took my hand again and led me back to the bed. The bedsprings groaned as we both sat down. As I bent down to untie my laces, he grabbed my arm. "Before you do that, think of what it'd be like if you couldn't never take them shoes off."

I sat back up and looked at the person I'd spent so long thinking of as my brother. I tried to imagine what it must feel like to go through life feeling wrong. My feet started to hurt as I sat there, and I wondered if it hurt Bri to feel wrong. My heart nearly burst as I thought about someone I cared so much about going through life hurting like that. I wrapped a protective arm around Bri, who looked up at me with surprise. "Everything okay?"

"Of course it is. Can't a big brother hug his little sister?"

Bri's lower lip trembled and a tear rolled down her cheek. I reached down and pulled her onto my lap and rocked her as she sobbed into my shoulder. I'm not ashamed to say I was crying too. Neither am I ashamed to say I love my sister. I may not understand a lot of other things, but that's one thing I do. When you have love, does the rest matter?

I kicked off my shoes and mentally defied the world to prove me wrong.

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Comments

Yes

Hope Eternal Reigns's picture

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes.

Does my subtle agreement with the story show, even just a little.

with love,

Hope

with love,

Hope

Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.

Loving Story!!!!!

Heather, this is a touching soul wrenching tale. Even though its short, it was so sweet and to the point its a real Gem! For both to be blessed with one another in life it just hurts me to the core wishing I had been i na similar situation. I love it. Thank you so very much for this. You made me cry.

Loving Hugs

Sephrena Lynn Miller

Shoes at 99 Shoes

Wow, this is certainly a great way to explain the issue to someone. It is one of those short stories that just say it all. I loved it.

For such acceptance and love at such a young age is something a lot of people here would have loved and therefore it causes such emotional feelings.

Hugs

Karen

A smile and a tear.

I read TG fiction or the emotional impact, And this one hit me like a comet.

A truly powerful piece of writing.

Confusion, but with acceptance and love. This I think is what we all wish for from our families, but not all of use receive.

Natasha

shoes

Heather,

Sorry I sent this to you directly, via email. Didn't mean too.

This story was awsome, and definately a good way to try to explain how a person feels. Never thought of it as such, but it is so simple.

Very well done. A very good analogy.

Joni

Brilliant

Heather,

This was the most wonderfully simple, clear, concise explanation of the feeling I've *ever* seen.

Well done!

Nicole (a.k.a. Itinerant)

--
Veni, Vidi, Velcro:
I came, I saw, I stuck around.

Shoes

I think everyone has already said what I wanted to say, so I'll just thank you so much for sharing this with us. Well done Heather!
Hugs!
grover

The Vonnegut Test

Let's apply the Vonnegut Test.

1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.

What cretin could feel their times was wassted by such a poignant story?

2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.

I was cheering for both of them.

3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.

One wanted to understand . . . and the other wanted him to understand.

4. Every sentence must do one of two things -- reveal character or advance the action.*

The story was tight.

5. Start as close to the end as possible.

You didn't spin your wheels at all.

6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them -- in order that the reader may see what they are made of.

The pain both were feeling at the beginning was tangible.

7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.

If you were writing to please me, you succeeded.

8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.

Aces on this one.

Much love to you.

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Lovely story.

Rachel Greenham's picture

And it's pitched in such a way that it could be read by any child of that age or older, and have real value in such a context, which isn't a common attribute for stories here, let's face it. :-) It would be nice if you could develop this and find a wider audience for it. I'd certainly love my own nephews to read it some day (but not quite yet, still a bit young).

Shoes

Such a brief but lucid explanation for such a problem. People who don't 'suffer' from gender dysphoria have no idea what it feels like. This is a short, sharp answer which is long overdue for the telling. Well done, I hope that many people read and take comfort from this.

Hugs,

Susie

Touching, really

Very poignant use of the pronoun shift. You could feel the change in viewpoint right along with our narrator.

(PS: 'brie' the cheese doesn't rhyme with pie. It might work better if you spelled it 'brye.')

What a "short" story should do.

Heather,
What a story: Short, sweet and to the point. It has pathos, confusion, and understanding.

Everything is wrapped up in a nice compact package. The backwards shoes? Such a great image that anyone can feel and understand. And the "Tickle Monster attack" was a good way to break the tension and transition to them talking.

I second the previous comments and add only my own "Thank you".

Jamie

... and the greatest of these is love!

Jezzi Stewart's picture

WOW !!!

"All the world really is a stage, darlings, so strut your stuff, have fun, and give the public a good show!" Miss Jezzi Belle at the end of each show

BE a lady!

Heather Rules!

Heather,

Words fail me and I love to talk, ask Itinernt.

Short, sweet and to the point. Flawless.

I'm jealous of your talent. -- He grumbles publically while privately grinning in appreciation for this extraordinary gift from Miss Heather Rose Brown --

John in Wauwatosa

John in Wauwatosa

Shoes

Heather,
I wonder if my mother would get a clue IF I could ever get her to try that? I always cry when I finish a story like this and I'm not ashamed to admit it either.

Nothing in Life is Free, if the cost is not monitary it will be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

I love you little Sister,
Rachel Anne

Nothing in Life is Free; if the cost is not monetary it will be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Rachel Anne

*blushing profusely*

I'm so touched by the warmth and love everyone has shown.

*smiling brightly while blinking away tears*

Thank you so much everyone. I can't believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

I've had the idea for how to explain what it feels like to be transgendered for a little while, but it wasn't until I thought of trying to tell a story from the point of view from someone who isn't transgendered that the story finally gelled.

I've had a couple people suggest expanding this story and I may some time in the future, but I won't make any promises right now. I already have one long term writing project with Bobby Rainy Day adventure, and I'm not sure I'd be able to handle two at the same time. If the plot allows, Bobby and Brianna may meet, though.

Thank you again everyone.

*curtsying deeply*

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

Hands Down Winner!

Heather, be proud! You have a Gem of a story here that to me is a hands down contest winner! This is the type of story quality I aspire to achieve. High Quality, High Feeling, and a leading narrative that moves the action flow naturally and not paced! Simple beautiful, succinct, and powerful.

You have raised the bar of story quality for us all.

*Loving Hugs*

Sephrena Lynn Miller

Wow. What a neat story

You hold the copyright, but I'd like to make some copies to give to people, if I may?
Such a simple way to explain it, and done in such a way, they won't even have to try it for themselves.
I've never seen it said so well, or so simply.

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness.
It usually comes back to you.

Holly

Story copies

Oh wow!

*catching breath*

I'd really be honored to have my story shared with others. The only thing I'd ask is that it not be published anywhere else without me being asked first.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

Simple

kristina l s's picture

Yet brilliant. Funny how those two often go together. It may not cover it all... no way it could... but it sure gets the thoughts pointed in the right direction.
Very very nice
Kristina

Brianna

Very sweet. Very nicely done, without a word wasted. The ending was perfect. :)

Aardvark

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."

Mahatma Gandhi

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."

Mahatma Gandhi

Me too

Yeah. What Hope said. And... what John said.

And pretty much what everyone else said too.

Wow.

Thank you Heather

I recently took the unthinkable step of telling of telling my wife and parents. Although I am predictably getting divorced, I still have all three of their unconditional support. This is certain to help them understand.

From the bottom of my heart, and with tears still rolling down my cheeks, THANK YOU.

Love Tara.
x

The strangest journeys start with a single step.

Stories like this...

erin's picture

...are the best reason for BigCloset to exist.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Every Bit As Outstanding...

...as everybody's telling you it is. A wonderful, very real story.

Only suggestion I'd make is that you find a way somehow in the first paragraph (or more explicitly in the next couple) to let us know that your narrator is male. I should have gotten it, I suppose, from the tease, but I didn't, and found myself making a succession of wrong assumptions until I got to the first "big brother" reference and had to start over.

Eric

I'm glad she didn't tell us

I suspect, knowing Heather, that she deliberately didn't tell us, and I think it made the story better.
I think it just gave that information more punch.
I know my original assumption was that the narrator had gotten 'her' new room, because 'she' was the one transitioning, and that it was 'her' younger brother who needed to find out what was going on. Boy, was I surprised

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness.
It usually comes back to you.

Holly

I just wish...

... that I could find such a way to tell my parents about being a sissy baby.

Thank you for lovely story! It really shines in simplicity and LOVE!

Hugs,
Sissy Baby Paula and Snowball (my toy puppy)

Thank you!

Thank you again everyone for all your wonderful comments both here and sent to me privately. I've really been touch by everyone who's shared so many experiences with me. It really makes writing that much more worthwhile.

I also appreciated the suggestions for making improvements to my story. I've tweaked bits here and there, but I've tried my best to keep things from going out of whack and and re-writing the whole thing.

*smiling while shedding a few tears and going around hugging anyone who will stand still long enough to be hugged*
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

Shoes works

A follow-up. For people who don't know, at the start of the year I transitioned and live fulltime as Karen. Yesterday, one of my male work colleagues asked me how it felt to be transgendered - I was quite surprised that it has taken him this long to ask as I work with him every day. Anyway, I said it was hard to explain and I suddenly remembered this story, so I thought...

I got him to remove his shoes and put them on backwards. He was itching to change them back. When I didn't let him for a few minutes, there was realisation.

I just want to thank Heather again for her wonderful story and help she has just given to my colleagues and me.

Hugs

Karen

Proof positive

karen_page,

Sounds like you owe Heather a royalty for the use of her shoe analogy/teaching aid.

A great compact story, almost like a parable or an Aesop's tale. A modern fable?

See karen, us Yanks aren't total fools ... we just vote them into office.

Okay, stop hitting me! My evil muse could not resist that punch line.

John in Wauwatosa

John in Wauwatosa

Shoes in real life

Oh wow! It's so neat hearing the analogy in this story working in real life. I'm glad it was able to help your work colleague understand a little better what it feels like to be transgendered.

{{{warm huggs}}}

Heather Rose :)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

Sometimes all it takes...

is a simple image.

And sometimes, just an author who finds that image and presents it for the rest of the world to see - and use.

I think we all thank you for this one.

Jamie

It's All Been Said

An amazingly simple statement which holds so much truth. An example which clearly expresses "its off" and so emotionally charged.

As everyone has said, you have touched us all.

It is so easy after having read what everyone else has said to not add a comment. We often think - what else can I say that hasn't been said. But, this story requires us all to recognize the impact it carries.

Thanks.

As always,

Dru

As always,

Dru

Every comment is special...

...because every comment is coming from different people with different perspectives. I'm glad you decided to add your own comment and appreciate the kindness, thought, and individuality you put behind it. :)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

The shoes fit!

Hi ya Heather Rose

Loads of love and hugs to you and ooodles and ooodles of thanks to your "moose" for the wonderful story. Holly Happyheart tempted me to read it by saying she felt it was one of the best pieces of tg literature she'd ever read. Well...she wasn't exaggerating. It was beautiful and moving and from a perspective that I wish more stories were written from. The trangendered character wasn't telling the story from his or her point of view. It came from a loved one struggling to understand why his brother was his sister, an in doing so, gave us real insight to the souls of both characters and the tg condition. If I had a brother or a sister or a best friend I needed to make understand "WHY", I could hand them this short story and say, "Here, this says it all." Well done, my friend. You've brought something beautiful into the world with this. Thanks, Love and hugs Maggie the Kitten

So good to see you again!

It was such a treat to see your post, Maggie. I've really missed ya lots and lots. I'm really glad Aunt Holly pointed you here and that you enjoyed the story. Hope to hear from you again soon!

{{{huggles}}}

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

From Your Sister To My Sister

Heather,
I'm at work and I'm cring. It was so beautiful. I loved it so much. You wrote it so elequently. Though I miss my brother I'm slowly begining to realize I still have the person I always loved. I thought I had to get to know a stranger all over but I'm finding that's not true. I'm sorry for the time I've let slip by seeing you as someone I didn't know. Even grown-ups make silly mistakes huh!. I love you and admire your courages spirit, loving heart, and creative mind. Look forward ever so much to continue to grow up with you.
Love Your Little Sister Patty

Thank you Sis!

Thank you so much for taking time out from work to read my story and for leaving such a wonderful comment. I can only imagine how hard it's been trying to understand me. Thank you for not giving up and for showing so much love to me. It has meant more to me than I know how to say. I love you with all my heart, Patty. I'm so lucky to have you for a sister.

{{{warm, gentle huggs}}}

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Heather Rose Brown
Author of Bobby's Rainy Day Adventure

Simply Outstanding

Breanna Ramsey's picture

So much meaning and emotion conveyed in such a short tale. Marvelous work Heather!

Scott
Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of--but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.
Lazarus Long - Robert A. Heinlein's 'Time Enough for Love'

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Shoes

Heather,
Brilliant, Brilliant Brilliant!

I have tried in a different context to write about the pain of the girl within- you have achieved the feeling of that emotion and pain in a few hundred words and shown in masterful fashion how to create a powerful empathy with your readers . Loved it .Thanks.

Luv

Cindybelle

Cindy

Wonderful heart touching story

Not sure how I overlooked this wonderful story until today. As with all your wonderful writing you reached in and grabbed my soul and dragged my emotions to the surface. Bringing both tears of joy for her brothers realization that she was still that person he loved so much. And tears of sadness as I could totally understand and feel the pain and sadness she had suffered.
Thanks from me along with all the other thanks you've gotten for this story and all the others you've posted here on Big Closet. Such a wonderful place Big Closet is with so many people with Big Hearts and a willingness to openly share so many wonderful thoughts and emotions.
Lots of love and Hugs
Always
Patti

In your shoes.

How can a story get to you so quickly, in so few words. It must be a
testament to human hearts, and your ability to write. Stories such as
this make me feel acceptance. What an amazing gift.

Marvelously written, overwhelmingly powerful, and exquisitely humane.

I would gladly walk a mile in your 'Shoes.'

Sarah Lynn Morgan

Links EVERYWHERE

I think I've linked this story more places than I've actually BEEN on the internet.

The absolute best example of a quick way to give an idea to someone about what it feels like.

Have To Comment

joannebarbarella's picture

Even though everybody else has said it all. Lovely Lovely Lovely,
Joanne

Reversing shoes as was done

Reversing shoes as was done in the story is an absolutely fabulous way of showing others how it feels deep inside. As Bri said "it just feels off". Most people would certainly agree with that statement after they have worn shoes on the wrong feet for a little while. Janice Lynn

One of the best

Thanks,
Michelle

Wow. I was doing okay up to

Wow. I was doing okay up to the end. At the pronoun shift, I started bawling. I still can't read that sentence without crying.

Your story touched me deeply, on a very personal level. I am near the beginning of transition, and facing coming out to my family in the near future, and this story... thanks for writing it.

Thank you!

Hi! I was just looking at this story today, and realized people have still been commenting on it. To all of you who had commented when this story was first posted, and to all of you who have continued posting, I'd like to say think you from the bottom of my heart. It really means a lot to me that this story has affected so so many people in a positive way. :)

A good explanation

Saves a thousand words, and is priceless really. Yours is wonderful! :)

Faraway


On rights of free advertisement:
Big Closet Top Shelf

Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!

Faraway


On rights of free advertisement:
Big Closet Top Shelf

Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!

a boxful of tissues and a drawer full of gold stars

how can a story this short hit all the right notes? Wonderful writing, wonderful characters, and a wonderful way to explain being TG to someone who isnt.

DogSig.png

a fine selection for the collection

this story well deserves the honor of being part of the "Best of Big Closet" book

Dorothycolleen

DogSig.png

Picture if you will ...

... a mature, overweight, relative newbie to this site, following a link suggested by Erin.
Sitting in front of a laptop.
Jaw dropped so much it means the mouth is wide open. And not shut-able.
Awestruck by sheer beauty in sheer simplicity.
And finding it impossible to say 'thank you' sufficiently adequately.
D.

"The Cost of Living Does Not Appear To Have Affected Its Popularity"
in most, but not all, instances

"The Cost of Living Does Not Appear To Have Affected Its Popularity"in most, but not all, instances

When you have love?

Andrea Lena's picture

...no...the rest doesn't matter at all. Why do I keep gravitating toward the stories that serve to bless my heart and dehydrate me at the same time. Tickle monsters reside in a lot of households I've discovered. What a precious story. Thank you!



Dio vi benedica tutti
Con grande amore e di affetto
Andrea Lena

  

To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L'Engle
Love, Andrea Lena

I was just referred to this story...

On the night before I plan to come out to my own family.

I don't know yet if I'll need to use the analogy. But I'm so glad to have read this story.

I agree with everyone else, this really probably is the best object lesson one could use to explain the situation.

Now if only there were such a simple way to describe what it felt like to go through hiding myself away so deeply that even I didn't know where to find me... And the cyclic depressions... Hopefully my blog entry To Be, Or Not To be is sufficient to convey what I've gone through on that front.

Thank you, Heather, a very touching story, and one I needed to read before facing my own family.

Abigail Drew.

EDIT: I just noticed, with my own hit of the kudos button, that this story only has 21 kudos! My own paltry work in the early chapters of Open Your Heart that have been posted so far have more than that! C'mon, people, kudo! If any story deserves to well surpass any existing kudos records on this site, it is this one!

Abigail Drew.

Kudos module

Zoe Taylor's picture

This story was published before the Kudos module was put in place, but I'm happy to say that I apparently was one of those 21 who came back to add mine at some point, and just forgot :-D

FWIW another great analogy is left-handed vs. right-handed people because everybody knows someone who's left-handed (and I myself happen to be :-))

This is such a sweet and darling story. I really hope that it helps your family. *hugs* Good luck to you.

-
"...and then the day came when the
risk to remain tight in a bud was more
painful than the risk it took to blossom."

-- Anais Nin

~* Queen of Sweetness *~

Robinverse!

Only 21?

WebDeb's picture

I have probably read this poignant tale more than that number and still it never occurred to me to click the likey button. Perhaps due to it being an older posting. Shame on me for not thanking the author for such a wonderful story.

Simplistic and yet to the point. I could never think of a better analogy and I guess that is why this story has always stuck in the back of my mind and comes to the fore on occasion. Definitely Big Closet's signature story in my humble opinion.

Thank you Heather Rose Brown.

I wish.

I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I WISH!

My brother and my sisters had been as friendly or as understanding, (No that's the wrong word for they could never understand!) as thoughtful as Bri's brother. But then, they didn't stand a chance of understanding - ever -, because my parents didn't and indeed WOULDN'T!.

Then,in 2004, fifty two years later, my brother found out; then he understood.

Now we the best of friends. But when I think of all those wasted years ...

Bev.

bev_1.jpg

I just found this story

Wendy Jean's picture

All I can say is thanks. Everyone else has said pretty much all that needs said.

It has been long enough I can hope you are well and happy. If not, the good lives on.

Thank you Heather,

You posted this before 'Drea dragged me over to BCTS (best thing I have ever done) so I had
missed out on it but am so glad that I have now read it,tears and all.Nothing,but nothing,
beats acceptance and love.Thank you so much,beautiful!!

ALISON

Still the ONE!

Thank you Heather for such an amazing story! It's still so good and evokes just as many emotions. Any story that ends with family reconciled is amazing to me. Keep spreading the love and gift us with another of your stories, Please!

Thank You...

For an absolutely beautiful little story, that explains so very clearly what it is like to be transgender/transsexual in such a simple, easy to understand way. The love at the end is something that many of us wish we could have had, and few enough truly find.

Once again, thank you.

Best. Short-Short. Ever.

Simply incredible, such a simple thing and so very perfect. I can't imagine a better way to describe how it feels. I've lived 65 years in the wrong body and I've tried to explain it and failed so many times.

*blushing*

Thanks so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed this story. :)

Such A Wonderful Story

joannebarbarella's picture

I've just read it for the umpteenth time and it still encapsulates all those "a bit off" feelings. This should be on every school curriculum, particularly in those jurisdictions that try to deny that we exist.

Thank you!

It means so much to me people are still enjoying this story. :)

An excellent way to explain why

BarbieLee's picture

Oh, I am so going to be thinking of this story when explaining to those who are NOT transgender why those who are, wish to be comfortable inside their own body. It's not they can't live the life they were born to. The constant irritation life is wrong wears too many of them down until they feel the only way to stop the pain is suicide.
They been walking through life with the shoes on the wrong foot.
Beautiful story Heather
Barb
Life is a gift, don't waste it wishing.

Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl

Thanks Barb!

It's so nice to see people are still reading and enjoying this story. :)