Hi, my name is Christina... and I am the mother of four children. I have a twelve year old son, eight year old son, and five year old son. In addition to my testosterone-crazed clan... I have a ten year old daughter. She was born in the same "wrapping" as the rest of my brood, but it didn't take long before she made her way into the world as someone very different.... HERself.
Cammie is a gender variant child. Born Cameron, she transitioned in May of this year at the tender age of ten. This "crusade" has challenged our family in beautiful ways. The dictionary defines a crusade as "A vigorous concerted movement for a cause or against an abuse" which seems to explicitly define our experience and the journey that we have embarked upon. I have been sharing our experience at http://cameronsong.blogspot.com/ .
This blog is going to have a little different focus. In collaboration with one of my closest and dearest friends... we have decided to share the family aspects of gender variance. This blog will be written from a family perspective and address the impact on siblings, parents, and extended family members - as we navigate through the challenges and blessings introduced through day-to-day life.
Recently, I reached a certain "summit" in my journey as a paren-T. The other morning as Cammie was getting ready for school, I was helping her pick out clothes for the day. As I laid her clothes on the bed and walked toward the door... leaving her to dress, I glanced back over my shoulder at her beautiful smiling face. For the first time since embracing her gender identity... I didn't see a transgender child. For the first time, I didn't look at Cammie with fear, anxiety, worry, distress, or concern for the future. For the first time... I looked at my child - and all I saw was my beautiful daughter. Her spirit glowed from the inside out - the way it should with all of us. I was overcome with gratitude... thankful that God has blessed me with an ability to look beyond the "wrapper" to embrace HER spiritual being.
I invite you to join our family along the way... as we learn to live authentically, love unconditionally, grow through humility, and blossom in understanding. Join us as we share the T-rials... and the gifts... of paren-T-hood.
Hi Christina,
ReplyDeleteI was moved by your story. It is great to see how you've been able to stick to the positive part of this journey and how you've been able to experience peace through that journey.
It is also nice to hear how people can leave aside the "wrapper" and look into the spirit. My spouse and I have that kind of spiritual conection that goes beyond the "wrapper" and , instead, goes deep inside to our souls... we are not a girl-tgirl couple, we are soul-mates.
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. I look forward to hear more about your fabulous journey.
Best,
Dania
So beautiful. I am not exaggerating when I say that I am super excited to read the entries here. Please keep up the good work =)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this. I took the name Cameron when I transitioned (ftm), so I'm rather partial to it : ).
ReplyDeleteI particularly appreciate your comments re: God blessing you with Cammie, and the sense of spiritual connection you have with her.
My partner and I also just had a baby 10 days ago, so the crazy/amazing journey of parenthood is just starting for us. It's nice to see more conversation taking place re: trans folks and parenting, whether the trans person is the parent or the child.
peace,
Cameron