So, we were cleaning out some old boxes and came across a very interesting photo taken of me on my eighth birthday.
While it wasn’t too much of a shock to my system considering my upbringing, it made me wonder – why did it take me until I was in my thirties to come to grip with my sexuality? I mean, duh!
Obviously my parents didn’t care, as long as I was happy. And as you can see by the photo below, I seemed pretty darned pleased. I pointed out to my mother that while I was wearing a Dallas Cowboys football uniform, somehow she managed to make my cake with ROSES on it. LOL! Poor woman – she tried. And I won’t even go into the years of fighting over dresses vs. jeans.
A couple of years ago, Jan asked my mother if she and my dad ever thought that I was gay. Mom shrugged and said they did, but wanted to wait until I figured it out on my own. Gee, thanks, Mom. I sure could have used a hint or two along the way. 🙂
But, in the long run, things worked out for the best. It took me a while, but I finally understood why I always felt ‘different’. When my girl friends were swooning over the hunk of the day, I was more interested in what kind of car they drove. Besides, back in the Seventies, the “hunks” all looked like danged girls, anyway! Does anyone remember Leif Garrett, Andy Gibb or The Bay City Rollers? <shiver> I had posters of Burt Reynolds (Smokey & the Bandit), Clint Eastwood (Dirty Harry) and a ton of silly animals. With Burt, I think it was more Sally Field and that awesome Trans Am that I liked. And with Clint…well, did you ever see what a cool gun a Magnum .357 was?
But, since I waited until I was older, I was able to connect with the greatest gift I could ever be blessed with – my wife, Jan. And, to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t change a damned thing.
Carrie L. Carr 
Beautiful story Carrie. You figured it out at the right time for you and that’s all that matters. You look adorable in your football gear, I love it. Pretty cool that your mom knew that it was important that you find the way to your heart on your own. Way to go Mom. 🙂
“Butcher” than me? Do you SEE what I’m wearing? LOL!
Thanks, LDW. I’ve got a great mom 🙂
I have a niece in her early 20’s, whose story pretty much parallels yours. We don’t comment to her because we want to honor her wish to find her way. Also the grandparents are “born agains” with “those” views and if my brother chooses to respect his daughter’s privacy in that regard, I am certainly not going to roil the waters. It’s a good sign that she brings her girlfriends home for the holidays and feels okay with that, and everyone else does too. Were your other relatives as supportive as your parents?
Very cool, Dusty. I’m glad your niece is doing well.
The rest of my family is pretty darned cool, too. I remember when Jan and I went to a family reunion (on my mother’s side) and everyone was great. My great-uncles and aunts all asked us, “Where’s your daughter?” and treated Jan with the same respect as they did everyone else’s spouses. It kind of surprised me, because the majority of them are old ranchers, and I figured they’d be more conservative. But they were incredible.
My aunt on my dad’s side of the family, is quite religious. Other than letting me know I’ll go to hell (politely, of course), she’s been great. She likes Jan, and treats her with respect. My niece and nephew are both fantastic, too. I’m very blessed to have such an amazing family.