Congratulations Arlene! It sounds like you have the life you want and are enjoying it. My father died when I was only 3 and with 3 older sisters and Mom around I had a very young indoctrination into femininity. I was probably 6 or so first time I dressed and by the time I was 13 all my sisters and Mom knew and learned to accept me. Well either that or they just gave up and tolerated the fact I was going to d it regardless of what they said or did. 
I was 48 when I decided to start the process of going full time. When I told everyone they were all supportive and happy for me but one thing my mother said still sticks in my mind today, "What took you so long?"