Monday, May 16, 2016

Changes

Yesterday was my birthday. 59. May 15 is an interesting date to be born on. Day 1957135 in the Julian Calendar. Wednesday, which is Odin's Day. I am also a Wednesday's child, and thus full of woe.

I wasn't particularly woeful. I spent the weekend back in Indiana and all my brothers were in town. Even eldest bro was in from California on business. Mom was sick as a dog and spent the whole time in bed. Bronchial infection, and she didn't go to the doctor for fear they would put her in the hospital. We all noted that they don't actually put people in the hospital, and she should have gone to the doctor  instead of trying to fight it off in order to spend time with us.

She very much wanted to cook something nice for me, and I said don't worry about it Mom. I cooked something nice for her instead. I also cooked breakfast for my brothers. Just like old times in college, when I cooked for the house - for my roommates in the house we rented.

Bachelor chow, of course. Beef stew. Chili. Spaghetti and meatballs. On Friday nights, steak, refried beans, and home fries. You name it for breakfast, but I made a huevos rancheros casserole dish that people would just happen to stop by to eat.

Not much of a cook now, when it's only me, but glad to know I still got the chops.

My younger brother laid a bombshell on us, informing us that his son now identifies as a woman. We, of course, voiced support for our nephew/niece. I could tell he was trying to do the Northern European thing of not letting it bother him, but I could tell it shook a few pillars.

Well, what you gonna do? Modern family. You support decisions, your support family and that's that.

I guess it could not be a better time for kid to be transgender.

Me? I'm surprised how unhappy I am about it, but I will do what I can to help them out.

It's not like there was a choice involved.

9 comments:

  1. 1648135 Treaty of Westphalia. The Citizens United of the 17 th century. Nations are people too.

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  2. it's always hard when your core beliefs are challenged. human sexuality is so fluid. he/she is still the same person you have always cared for. good on you and your brother for being accepting. oh, and there is always a choice. you could have kicked him out of your life. my husband was disowned by his father for far less.

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    1. Human sexuality is not Boolean, not binary. It's a spectrum, we are finding out. And I may not be happy, but temporary discomfort, well, I'm getting off pretty lightly compared to what the kid will go through. I hope it's not too hard on him, but better a happy living niece than a suicidal nephew.

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  3. oh, and happy birthday! enjoy the last of the 50s.

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    1. Thanks! Warranty expired four years ago, unfortunately. So, it's all gravy from here on out!

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  4. Still just in the 3rd quarter of the game and I bet you can still knock out a dozen chin-ups (^;

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    1. Hey, thanks. 12? Try 7, and that's ignoring the pain of past-torn tendons in the right elbow. But! I can do at least one chin up to the waist. Which means I don't have to dangle from a tree branch or a cliff's edge like some damsel in distress.

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  5. Happy (belated) Birthday.
    Man, I remember when my middle brother came out. Back in high school he was an all-star athlete who got ALL of the hottest girls - then one day?
    I know and I'm friends with LOTS of gay people but for some reason my inculcated values just won't let me understand.

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    1. Thanks, mange. I don't think my new niece is gay. This is a whole different ball park which I've never visited, nor wanted to. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender-specific_and_gender-neutral_pronouns#Summary

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