Life just seems to fly by, doesn't it? One minute I'm ringing in 2008 and the next minute...it's 2009! OMG! Where did the year go?!
Well, I've been a busy bee. Kyra hit two milestones this past year and I wanted to share them with you. But first...a thankyou to SL and Virginia. The beautiful Christmas card was enough to remind me how much i've neglected my friends here.
Okay, I mentioned two amazing things in my life in 2008. In March the University of Wyoming held its annual Shepard Symposium on Social Justice. (http://outreach.uwyo.edu/conferences/justice/) and I was part of an Outreach my Tri-Ess sisters presented there. Nervous doesn't even begin to explain how I felt. I rehearsed for hours on what I was going to say. My story had to be condensed into a tiny 7 minute slot, but I managed to get it all out...and without choking in front of a class of thirty. Our group was such a success that the professor asked us to come back and present again. (Which we will do in April!)
The second thing that really made this year stand out for me was coming out to my children. My wife and I have raised our kids to be very open-minded, but we didn't want to influence their development by telling them too soon. Most teens struggle to identify themselves and ours were no different. Honestly I wanted to tell them right away, but Amber (wife) helped me to realize the need for patience. I am very proud to say they have developed into fine young adults, and as such we decided it was time to be open and honest with them.
Oddly enough, it was spurned forth by my daughter. She's 17 and part of a high school youth group. The group is comprised of straight and gay students and aptly named "Gay Straight Alliance". One day she came home from school talking about this "really cool thing" she heard of at one of the colleges and she wants to attend next year. So I, of course, ask what it is..."It's called the Shepard Symposium, and it's in April."
Well, my wife and I discussed the conflict and came to the conclusion that we should tell her about Kyra. That conversation led to telling my son (who is 15, but fairly mature for his age).
So...the day after Christmas we called them into our bedroom and the four of us sat and talked. My daughter's response was almost giddy. "OMG! Dad, that is so awesome!" and my son simply chuckled a little. Both of them took the news very well, but I recall when I came out to Amber back in 2004...she was okay at first, too. A few weeks later her apprehension surfaced. I'm well aware of what might happen again. Time will tell. I'm sure I'll have to endure some snickers from their friends (I'm not so naiive as to think they won't tell.), but overall I think this is a positive thing. At the very least they won't have wonder why dad takes a suitcase to Denver once a month.
So, life is going pretty well for me. It's not all roses and sunshine, but the good days certainly outweigh the bad ones. I hope everyone had a great holiday season.
Much Love,
Kyra
