This thread is spurred by the National Geography expose the other evening, but is not about it in general.
As some of you know, I am in that funky area between DADT, and accepted dressing. My wife knows, she has seen and even more than humored me on a GNO. But she doesn't like it, and has given me the typical laundry list of reasons why. And she is a very guarded person, and because of her aversion to conflict, shuts down rather than discusses. Which is sadly ironic, because a healthy discussion would probably lead to more internal peace and less contention.
Also you may also know that my oldest has several times expressed that he believes he is Transgender. (Don't pronoun police me here).
Well my wife decided to record the show. Mostly to support our son. Like many parents she put her children before her self, and maybe because she feels that oneness with me, she puts them before me (or more correctly, us) as well.
Anyway, we watched the show. And had great discussion. I had to keep hitting pause and rewind. We did not discuss me, but rather what she was learning. She said that she learned a Lot. And as is her habit, she kept asking me questions. Sometimes she asks out loud in general, other times she does look to me for answers. I did answer a number of questions, and as importantly, the show answered many of them just a little bit after she asked them.
I have been hoping for a chance like this for a long time. A lot of what she learned, she would have not listened to if it came from me directly. But because she chose to learn, rather than have it "forced" on her, she opened her self up to it.
Now I have rays of hope. An opportunity to share myself a little more fully. I think that even if what I share with her doesn't go over well, she will be able to evaluate it on a less defensive posture.
