Before his official coming out, I saw signs of what was happening but was paralyzed by fear and refused to accept that we were losing our son to powerful influences beyond our control. A year later, my son came out to me as a woman trapped in a man’s body, and I could no longer deny what was happening.

Next, I felt depressed and anxious. Our son started medicating with hormones while still living at home. Seeing the changes in his personality and body made me the saddest and most anxious I have ever been. His dad and I tried bargaining with him to stop the medical interventions, but our attempts only drove him deeper into his trans identity. Since he was unable to get us to accept him as our “daughter,” and because he wouldn’t agree to stop taking hormones in our home, he left for good and cut us off.

[...]

I am able to fully express my love to my other children with open arms and hold nothing back. Right now, I am living in a season of joy and don’t feel guilty for thoroughly enjoying vacations, holidays and birthdays without our son’s presence. When we celebrate or simply gather, I am fully present with the family, showing through words and actions that they are enough to bring great joy and fulfillment to me.