Mistaken identity

Some things just hit you like a ton of bricks!

Recently, the kids and I were visiting with another transfamily (the most AMAZING people!)and we were discussing our kids' transitions - mind you one of the "kids" is an adult kid!

I commented on how people began to mistake Dandelion for a boy around 2-1/2 years ago when I relented to his desire to have a "boy" haircut. I said how he beamed when people mistook him for my son...and, as the words were coming out of my mouth, it struck me - WHO was doing the mistaking?

Complete strangers actually saw Dandelion's true identity while I was missing it (or, possibly, ignoring it).

Our friends laughed with me while I shared this sudden realization with them.

When things like this happen, as a parent, it is so easy to fall into guilt, but a young man once gave me some very sound feedback:

It was the adult kid from this family who, when I had asked if there was something he wished his parents had done differently, had responded along the lines of "they only knew what they knew, but they always loved me and supported me and that made the difference".

So, Dandelion, I only know what I know - and I know that I love you and support you. I hope (fingers and toes crossed) that that makes the difference!