The first day of the rest of my life, OR, The first day of my Real Life Test.

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Today was the first day of my Real life Test...officially, that is. Unofficially I began on Sunday, spending the whole day and the following Monday, Memorial Day, as my real self.

I didn't do much Sun. and Mon. Went fishing with Tina, my housemate and dear, dear friend, but mostly stayed around the house, maybe trying to convince myself that I needed to do this. Well, TODAY was better than I could have written it!

I woke up 2 1/2 hours before I had to be at work and spent about an hour and a half just making certain that I had all my bases covered, and doing my makeup (understated) and hair (read wig). Then I futzed around for the additional hour, just making myself nervous. Heh.

Clothing was very normal. Ladies Jeans, an orange t-shirt top, white women's walking shoes ( like low top tennis shoes) and a jacket, since it was supposed to rain. (It didn't)

Nails clear polished and nice and shiny. Makeup and sundries packed into a small purse along with cigarettes and lighter. (I don't wanna hear it, thank you.) RLT letter safely packed in my wallet, just in case. Everything was as ready as I could make it.

My bus (I'm an escort on our local transit system, transporting the ill and elderly to appointments, etc) picked me up right on time. My driver, a friend of five years, opened the door and said, "Good morning, Cathy. Climb aboard. We have two wheelchair patients to pick up." I glanced at my copy of our manifest (a schedule of who we are supposed to pick up, and when) and noticed that, at the bottom of the first page, where it normally says, "Pick up escort (my male name)_____ at 8:15, it said, "Pick up escort Catherine Linda Michel!!!

From there, the day just got better and better. I flew through my first day with a smile permanently affixed to my face, and a lightness in my heart. Not ONE single person, all day long, said or did anything to indicate that I had been 'read', although I know I was. A gentleman even held a door for me! Friends I met through the day, merely accepted and called me Catherine, or Cathy. I did things today I never dreamed I'd do. Walked into stores, hospitals, nursing homes, fast food joints, you name it, I did it, and all as Cathy!

'In the shadow of despair'...I wrote that a few days ago, when events in my life spiraled out of control and I lost a pet, 'hope can be found.' Today I found that hope.

I simply cannot believe the level of acceptance I was the recipient of, today. The best thing though, is...I SUCCEEDED!!! The perennial failure finally did something right!! My worst fears never reared their ugly heads, although I am certain there will be hard times ahead, when they might, and I had FUN...at WORK!!

My boss, along with the county attorney, put out a memo concerning my beginning the RLT, along with a nicely worded, gentle warning about sexual harassment, along with the letter I wrote, which was posted here in one of my blog entries.

I'm still coming down from the natural high I've been riding all day, but I wanted, needed, to share this day with all of you. For everyone who begins their RLT, I wish you a day like today was for me. For those whose first day didn't go so well, I apologize for society in general. I wish all of you could have been here with me, to share with me the joy and freedom I felt as I did the same things I do at work, every day, yet I did them with a new sense of purpose, as Catherine Linda Michel. A new, proud, happy woman.

For all of you who might be considering this as the next step in your transition, all I can say is, lay your groundwork as thoroughly and carefully as you can. Sound out your friends, co-workers and family members on the subject. Practice, practice, practice, on your makeup, your overall presentation, and voice. Then, when you feel ready, DO IT! Don't let your fears of failure keep you from the most important day of your lives. Be safe, above all. Do this in the company of trusted, understanding, supportive friends, if at all possible. But DO IT!

For everyone who has helped, supported, cajoled, bullied, led by example, commented, whatever, along my twisted path towards this day I can only say a very inadequate, Thank You. Without your fine examples and encouragement, I could NEVER have done this. This has been the happiest day of my life, and I owe a lot of it to all of you.

I'll write more as it happens, but I don't think I can ever top this day. The only things that could have made it better would have been hearing good news about my Mom, winning the lottery, or having a rich person propose marriage to me. Of the three, I'd prefer to hear the good news about Mom.

Thank you. Huggles and kisses from a proud, new,
CATHERINE LINDA MICHEL

Comments

Remember days like today when the bad days come

I'm sure there will be days that do not go well.

They happen to the so-called ordinary as well as the TG. Cherish these golden days and brace for the bad ones. I hope the bad ones a few and far between and not too bad. Good luck, be a lady. Oh, sounds like one of your titles.

John in Wauwatosa

John in Wauwatosa

Congratulations!!

Frank's picture

I'm glad you were able to get off on the right foot (or wheel as it were)

{{{HUGGGLES}}}

Hugs

Frank

So happy for you!

Breanna Ramsey's picture

Thanks for letting us tag along, Cathy. Please do keep us informed, and not just of the good days. We want to know about the not-so-good too, so we can offer our support. I think you're an incredibly strong and brave lady, and I admire you.

Big hugs!

Scott

Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.
-- Moliere

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

Welcome to the World Cathy

I Hope all your days were as good as today was for you and wish you great luck in the future. A friend in spirit! Richard

Richard

Good for you, Cathy

erin's picture

I hope things continue to go well. :)

Hugs,
Erin

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

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

I'm smiling for you, and with you, Cathy

I'm so very happy for you, and remember a few of your unhappy times on this subject.
I've watched as you gained to courage to move towards this day, and have been happy for you.
But never happier than this.

Holly

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

Holly

Congratulations!

Catherine,

Thank you for your uplifting story about how your first day at work went. "His" first day counts, not the same way. I am happy for you- your joy and enthusiasm just pour off the screen into my mind and heart. May you be able to share the good news with your family and have them accept your joy and feel the same way about you. I'm sorry to hear about your mother not being well; mothers are special people and while yours is still alive, get as much time in with her as you can.

Thank YOU for your blog entry
KR