Emma

Dear Michael,

You wrote this almost two and a half years ago, and I wonder, how do you feel today? I like how you are so open and vulnerable on this post. I feel very similarly and appreciate your finding the words for my feelings.

Hugs,

Emma

Yeah, just looked at your new pic. Awesome! Definitely update your profile. You look so happy. I'm so happy for you. :-)

Emma

Yes, I received it fine! A nicely-formatted email with your new posting, and the title links directly to the new post on your blog. Now, I have to go read it!

Excellent! I'm all signed up for your blog updates.

Emma

Hi Karen,

I like your new blog site and look forward to following your progress there (and here, hopefully, too). I wonder if there is a way to 'register' on your new site to be automatically notified (via email, not Twitter at least for me) of new posts. Also, please let us know here when you have new posts so we can stay in touch.

Emma

Dear DawnLynn,

My story echoes yours so closely. I very much appreciate reading about your experiences, feelings, and especially, how you've come to love and accept yourself. I think I'm on the right track toward that but I'm not sure where its heading or if there even is an arrival time!

Hugs,

Emma

Hey Warren,

You're the best, man. Here again, life gives you lemons and what do you do? Lemonade!

I'll bet getting your hair cut was a huge rite of passage for you. How can it not be? And then, your stand-in stylist goes and screws it up. I'd cry too. But once again, you stood up for yourself, called your hairdresser, and she promised to make it right. Just so you know, and in case there's any doubt in your mind, that's absolutely the right thing to do.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: You Rock!

Merry Christmas,

Emma

Dear Warren,

You got that right: Go get 'em tiger! We all love you too. Believe it, it's true.

Emma

I can't imagine what caused copy/paste to not work but what the heck. Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho!

I completely echo Lisa's sentiment and commitment, Karen. Have a very Merry Christmas.

Emma

DawnLynn,

You're a lucky girl, you know that? Mostly, you're a shining star. Good for you and God bless. Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. And, with what you've accomplished in 2014 I imagine 2015 is going to be remarkable for you!

Emma

Sounds great, Karen. Something else to look forward to!

What a great article. Thank you for posting it!

Emma

Hahaha! You and me, sister, we're sticking it out here on TG Guide!

That's so weird, the problem with copy/paste. Seems to work fine for me, either with iPad or iMac. It's just ASCII text so it should be fine of course with anything. I'm glad you returned that laptop although I can't imagine what's going on with it.

Best of luck to you, finding a decent Windows machine these days. Cheap, yes, but Windows is no fun. :-)

Emma

What a hassle that Windows 8 won't even support a ctrl-c (copy) and ctrl-v (paste) operation? I don't understand that at all. I suppose at worst case you could just type in your new blog's URL. Although I have to say: does this mean you'll no longer being hanging out here much? I suppose that's to be expected?

How funny you found your car's title "tucked away" with your old gaffs! I wonder what you were thinking when you stored them together, perhaps ~5 years ago!

Karen,

What a wonderful Christmas for you and a wonderful 2015 to look forward to. You're remarkable!

Emma

Hi Lisa,

I sure know what you mean about ups and downs, how they can feel so good on the upside and so miserable and scary on the downside. I'm sorry to hear you were feeling this way and glad that you were able to attend both therapy and your support group. Good for you! Maybe it will help in future "attacks" to recall that you did feel better after attending those meetings. I know that for me, in the midst of an attack of the blues, it doesn't seem like anything could possibly help. So, I also try to remember that things like that help.

That said, the whole "Holiday Season" is fraught with these ups and downs for me. I'm pretty conflicted about the whole thing and in many ways wish it was already past. All I can do now is to take it a moment at a time, focus on the present... the mindfulness thing.

Happy holidays, Lisa,

Emma

I agree completely with Karen but I also certainly understand your feelings. TG Guide is so great but it's not a replacement for getting together with friends and, possibly, making new friends while fully being ourselves. I hope you do look in your area for groups. Even here, you could tell us where you are and there may be recommendations.

You may be "getting to be a pro" at not letting your feelings come out but that's a hard way to live. Good for you that you told us about what's going on for you. At least we can try to offer some help or a patient and accepting ear.

Be well,

Emma

Hi Karen,

All systems go! Getting ready for blast off! How exciting for you as this wonderful new chapter of your life is about to begin. You go go go, girl!

Emma

Hey Warren,

Look, you deserve attaboys for taking action today, calling the surgeon, the insurance, your doctor, and finding out the realities. Most people don't have the cojones to do that, and you did. Look up 'cojones' if you don't know what they are... :-)

I'm very happy to hear that you're going to stop cutting. Here again, your instincts are right on.

You've got a good head on your shoulders, young man. Yes, it will take some problem solving to get your surgery and all figured out but I am certain that you will do it.

Emma

Hahaha! Warren, you crack me up. I guess we'll give you a hall pass for this week with your therapist. Take care, stay warm. Emma

Hi Karen,

Yep, I'll check out the video, thanks. I play guitar as well, fingerstyle on an acoustic, as I like to be able to play a song by myself without a band or an amp. Thank goodness for these piezo tuners! Back in the day when I played blues on an electric I had a heck of a time tuning. :-)

Emma

Karen, congratulations on pretty much having your voice ready. I agree that it's so important, and have thought I might someday go see a coach. I am downloading Pitch Lab and was surprised to see it's mainly a guitar tuner. By any chance do you have a link to the video that recommended it?

Daneela,

I just discovered your blog this morning. It's been two years since this post and I hope you're feeling and doing better.

Hugs,

Emma