Coming Out !

[ArleneRaquel]

Shortly after my wife died in October 2002 I went to live with my ailing parents, my mother was 79, and my dad almost 82. One evening, in early 2003, I came downstairs, where they were watching TV, I was fully enfemme. When they saw me they bdidn't batter an eye, as the long suspected that I "dressed." It seems that they, especially my mother, noticed that some of her female stuff, such as bras, shoes, stocking/pantyhose and spare eyewear was ocassionally missing and suddenly would show up out of the blue. Except for a very brief period in 2003 I was a caregiver for them dressed enfemme. Died died in 2006, mom in 2007. My mom liked it that I copied her style, right down to her cat's eye frames. I had to share this story even though I have kept this away from the site for many years. I have been a member here for many years. :)

[Rachael Leigh]

What a sweet story, thanks for sharing

[Ashley Wray]

That's a great and touching story Arlene thanks for sharing :)

[susmitha]

Good to read this sentimental piece.

[ArleneRaquel]

Thank you ladies for your tender & thoughtful responses, they have touched my heart. I wish that I had posted this sooner. MUAH to you all.

[Julie Denier]

A wonderful story of acceptance ;)

[Madilyn A.]

A very touching personal story, thank you for sharing Arlene.

[ArleneRaquel]

Thank you madilyn. Love & hugs !

[Requal Jo]

Very nice story Arlene. I am pleased that you shared this with us. It must have been pleasing to you to have understanding parents.

[ArleneRaquel]

Requel Jo,
It was most pleasing and a great relief. Thank you for your warm post.

[Melissa18]

Arlene,
Thank you for sharing that lovelly story, it warmed my heart when I read it.
Love adelaide

[ArleneRaquel]

Adelaide,
Thank you for your kindness. I'm glad that it warmed your heart. The responses here have done the same for me.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Arlene, Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful heart warming story.

[Chari]

Proves again Arlene that some parents will always be understanding and accepting of who we are - no matter how we are dressed.

[Kate Simmons]

And such a nice story it is my friend. Thank you for sharing that. :battingeyelashes::)

[charlenesomeone]

That is so sweet and an awesome story. Thanks for sharing.

[Cheryl T]

Love your story. It's so nice to have family acceptance.
I think my mom knew long ago, but we never talked about it. I wish I had had the chance to show her as you did. I think she would have been accepting and that would have meant the world to me.

[LeslieSD]

That's a nice story. I would expect that caring parents like yours would have no problem accepting whatever their children are.

[Madilyn A.]

you are so welcome Arlene. I hope all in your life is well. BTW, I still owe you a photo with a classic pair of glasses from a few years ago...take care Hon !........Madilyn

[ArleneRaquel]

All of you are so sweet and loving. Thank you all for your kindness. I have found that some of the best people in the world are CD's. MUAH to you all.

[lexivanderpump]

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story. I wish I had the courage to come out to my family. Only my wife knows.
by the way I used to love dressing up in my mom's clothes too when I was living at home. Now I have the pleasure to dress up in my wife's clothes.
Love,
Lexi

[ArleneRaquel]

lexivanderpump,
Thank you. I loved wearing my mother lingerie.

[StacyCD]

I'm guessing that my Mom knew when I was living at home (a long time ago). I never came out to her before she passed but I would like to believe she would have been accepting.

[ArleneRaquel]

Stacy,
I hope also darlin. Accepting parents does many positive things for the human spirit. I know that it did for me. Love & Hugs !

[Roberta Young]

Wonderful to have loving parents Arlene. Bet You miss Them a bunch. Hugs Roberta PS now I know where You got Your good looks.

[ArleneRaquel]

I agree Roberta. Much love darlin.

[mykell]

a good read, glad that they got to know "you" and accepted. thank you for sharing with us,
i made my peace with my pop last august before he passed, dont know that he understood my reference to CDing though, but i know he new i did....

[alwayshave]

Arlene, That is a very nice story. My mother knew I dressed some 40 odd years ago. You are braver than as I would not expose that to her now. I would never expose my dressing to my dad.

[ArleneRaquel]

mikell & alwaysshave,
Thank you for your kindness & insights.

[Kris Avery]

Very nice story.

I think it would be especially difficult to be in a situation where you were the primary caregiver for of all people (your parents).
It took some serious courage to do that. Wow.

In my case, only my SO knows and I intend to keep it that way.

[Barbara Ella]

Arlene, it is wonderful that you felt strong enough to let your parents know, and that they got the happiness to know that their dear child thought enough of them, and loved them enough to share and trust them with yourself. Even though they knew, the thought that they could now share this treasure must have been so comforting.

You are a dear one.

Hugs,
Barbara

[CynthiaD]

That's a really sweet story, Arlene. Thanks for sharing.

[ArleneRaquel]

Thank you Wendy, Barbara, and Cynthia. MUAH to all.

[kimdl93]

It's really a very good coming out experience. It must feel good to know that you were so quickly accepted by your parents.

[flatlander_48]

The way it works is that "Ya' Gotta Do What Ya' Gotta Do.". In the best of all possible worlds, your timing and that of the Universe are aligned. And so it was.

There is a thing about being able to Bring Your Whole Self To Work and how this is difficult for all of us under the LGBT umbrella. When you made the decision to express yourself, this is exactly what you did and I would guess that it made a significant difference for you parents.

The Universe is a tricky place, but I think it responds best when put ourselves out there as openly and as honestly as we can.

Continued Health and Success!

DeeAnn

[ArleneRaquel]

jim & flatlander,
Thank you very much for your kind statements.

[JessicaJHall]

I'm so glad they chimed in or I might have missed this moving story. Thanks so much for sharing it Arlene! Cat's eye frames.. I'd love to have a pair of those!
Hugs girlfriend!

[ArleneRaquel]

Julie,
Thank you darlin. Best Wishes and I love any posting on my love of cat's eye frames.

[Hell on Heels]

Hell-o Arlene,
We are all our parents children, some of us are lucky to have warm and accepting parents
that just see us as their children. Your parents are something to be proud of, not just because of who they were, but
who they made you! Your memories of them will keep them with you the rest of your life.
Thanks so much for sharing this part of you.
Much Love,
Kristyn

[Marcelle]

Hi Arlene,

Must have missed this post . . .sorry about that. What a heartfelt story and a testament to the love of parents for their children and their children for them.

Hugs

Isha

[Katey888]

I'd missed it too Arlene, my bad - that's so sweet of you to share such an accepting and affirming time with us all here.. :)

Thank you for sharing it - and thank you for being here and being prepared to help everyone with your opinions and support... :cheer:

Katey x

[ArleneRaquel]

Thank you Isha, Katey, and MsHeels. I thought that it was about time that I posted "my coming out" story. Love & Best Wishes to all !

[GreyEyes]

I'm glad that it worked out for you that way, ArleneRaquel.

My parents are still alive, and their attitude has slowly changed over the years. At first they were frighteningly intolerant; my father on general principal and my mother said she didn't want to be embarrassed, and was worried I'd never find a wife. After I moved away, I would dress in women's clothes at home, underdress at work, and androgynously dress around my relatives. I never let on until a few years ago that I completely crossdressed at home. My father's reaction (now in his 80's) was, "You don't go out like that, do you?" My mom's reaction (also in her 80's) was to ask what I was wearing as I talked to them! Eventually, I'd like to at least do what you do and dress as a woman all the time. I retire in three years. Perhaps then...

[Badwolf]

I'm a little late to the party, but I do have to say it's a really touching story. I try not to revive dead threads like these unless they really are moving in some senses.

In closing, its such a simple story, but I think that's what makes it so powerful and endearing. Your parents were real sweethearts and I'm glad you got to spend that time with them!

[ArleneRaquel]

Thank you Grey Eyes & Badwolf. MUAH !

[Jaymees22]

Thanks for sharing your touching coming out story. My mom and my mother in-law died within a month of each other in 2007. My mother never knew and at that time neither did I because I didn't start dressing until 2011. My wife knows but really doesn't want to know. Hugs Jaymee

[ArleneRaquel]

Jaymees,
I'm so sorry to hear of your parents passing and thank you for your very kind words. My parents died within a year of each other 2006=2007. My wife died in 2002.

[ArleneRaquel]

I believe that my mother was so ploeased with my coming out as I was a brunette, as my mother was in her younger years, when I came down the starirs and I was wearing her favorite eyewear frame style, black, large, & cat;s eye. I may be mistaken about a reason for her exceptance, but I believe that I am not.

[Beverley Sims]

Arlene,
The sense of satisfaction, them knowing and accepting must be heartwarming to you.

I hope it has given you many pleasant memories in which to live the rest of your life.

I know there are many things I regret that I never shared with loved ones past.

[Amanda M]

Arlene - how much the must have loved you. And, they deserved you!