Rachel Smith
10-11-2013, 08:04 PM
Moving at the speed of light
So much has happened this week I don't know if I can post it all.
On Thurs. Oct. 10 @ 9:00AM we had the meeting and my life was forever changed. It went terrific. They ask me when I was ready to come to work as Rachel. I said as soon as I know the others at the office are comfortable with it. The reply was are you available for a meeting there tomorrow. I was not ready for that but with little hesitation I said, yes as a matter of fact I am working there tomorrow. So the meeting was scheduled for Oct. 11 @ 7:30AM. I started a 7:00 and somewhat nervously watched the clock as the bewitching hour approached. All were present by 7:05. 7:30 came and went and no meeting was called. The 10 minutes from 7:30 to 7:40 seemed to last an eternity but then I heard the magic words from BB, the OIC at our office, I approached the group with some trepidation and great deal of excitement. All BB said was: we are here today to tell y'all that Randy will now be know as Rachel and he, sorry she, would like your support as she will now be dressing so her outside matches how he, oops she, sorry Rachel, feels on the inside. I am sure that knowing this office as the friendly place that it is there will be no ill will or prejudice towards him ( she didn't correct herself and I didn't care one iota) . The feeling of freedom I felt was like being swallowed by a giant Humpback whale, it was dangerous getting in past his teeth yet once inside those same teeth were protecting me. Finally free I thought, finally free. My thoughts then turned to my best friend Michelle and all the help and support both her and Rick have given to me. Then BB ask if I would like to add anything. I simply said, if any of you have any questions now or later please feel free to ask me anything, I am OK with who I am and will answer them honestly. Then Angie, the carrier I normally fill in for, ask me if I would be bothered if at first the Rachel's and Randy's, he's and shes got mixed up would I be offended. I said, not at all. I am not that hung up on that and that I only wished that they would treat me the same, that is what is important to me. I told them when they see me tomorrow it will be easier as they will see Rachel now.
That was pretty much that and we all went back to work and proceeded with the business of delivering the mail. I just love the people here in VA. Rednecks as they are known, they are not, at least not it the sense that it is most often meant. They are very excepting and understanding folk. I get the feeling that as long as you are not hurting anyone and that you are truly happy roll on with your life. Personally I wish the world was full of Rednecks from VA. Even Glen the one person I was most concerned about not taking this well at all tried his best. He, Roger, the union rep., and I all went out for a smoke and Glen called me Rachel all during our conversation. Turned out he is a very sweet man without a prejudice bone in his body.
So tomorrow is the first day of my new life as Rachel. I will enjoy every minute of the day tomorrow all 1440 of them. I am sure I will be somewhat nervous when I walk into the office tomorrow but I am also sure that they will all help me to be comfortable in no time.
So with the business of coming clean at work behind me it is now on to all the paper work things. First order of business, legal name change and new birth cert.( I am concerned about how my parents will receive this part) , new PO ID card, then a new drivers license with an "F" on it, bank account changes and the list goes on and on.
With Michelles love and support I will be OK. She is one terrific lady.
Hugs to everyone
Rachel
P.S. There is more to come
So much has happened this week I don't know if I can post it all.
On Thurs. Oct. 10 @ 9:00AM we had the meeting and my life was forever changed. It went terrific. They ask me when I was ready to come to work as Rachel. I said as soon as I know the others at the office are comfortable with it. The reply was are you available for a meeting there tomorrow. I was not ready for that but with little hesitation I said, yes as a matter of fact I am working there tomorrow. So the meeting was scheduled for Oct. 11 @ 7:30AM. I started a 7:00 and somewhat nervously watched the clock as the bewitching hour approached. All were present by 7:05. 7:30 came and went and no meeting was called. The 10 minutes from 7:30 to 7:40 seemed to last an eternity but then I heard the magic words from BB, the OIC at our office, I approached the group with some trepidation and great deal of excitement. All BB said was: we are here today to tell y'all that Randy will now be know as Rachel and he, sorry she, would like your support as she will now be dressing so her outside matches how he, oops she, sorry Rachel, feels on the inside. I am sure that knowing this office as the friendly place that it is there will be no ill will or prejudice towards him ( she didn't correct herself and I didn't care one iota) . The feeling of freedom I felt was like being swallowed by a giant Humpback whale, it was dangerous getting in past his teeth yet once inside those same teeth were protecting me. Finally free I thought, finally free. My thoughts then turned to my best friend Michelle and all the help and support both her and Rick have given to me. Then BB ask if I would like to add anything. I simply said, if any of you have any questions now or later please feel free to ask me anything, I am OK with who I am and will answer them honestly. Then Angie, the carrier I normally fill in for, ask me if I would be bothered if at first the Rachel's and Randy's, he's and shes got mixed up would I be offended. I said, not at all. I am not that hung up on that and that I only wished that they would treat me the same, that is what is important to me. I told them when they see me tomorrow it will be easier as they will see Rachel now.
That was pretty much that and we all went back to work and proceeded with the business of delivering the mail. I just love the people here in VA. Rednecks as they are known, they are not, at least not it the sense that it is most often meant. They are very excepting and understanding folk. I get the feeling that as long as you are not hurting anyone and that you are truly happy roll on with your life. Personally I wish the world was full of Rednecks from VA. Even Glen the one person I was most concerned about not taking this well at all tried his best. He, Roger, the union rep., and I all went out for a smoke and Glen called me Rachel all during our conversation. Turned out he is a very sweet man without a prejudice bone in his body.
So tomorrow is the first day of my new life as Rachel. I will enjoy every minute of the day tomorrow all 1440 of them. I am sure I will be somewhat nervous when I walk into the office tomorrow but I am also sure that they will all help me to be comfortable in no time.
So with the business of coming clean at work behind me it is now on to all the paper work things. First order of business, legal name change and new birth cert.( I am concerned about how my parents will receive this part) , new PO ID card, then a new drivers license with an "F" on it, bank account changes and the list goes on and on.
With Michelles love and support I will be OK. She is one terrific lady.
Hugs to everyone
Rachel
P.S. There is more to come