PRIDE

A parent looked at their only child

Now a teenager

Making the decision

To begin their social transition

And asked

“So… what am I supposed to call you now?”

“Mom…”

Tears ran down his face

As the crying made it difficult

For him to swallow or speak

“Don’t worry. I’ve always known you weren’t like other girls”

“Guess I never knew how right I was, though...”

“Mom… I know how much my name means to you…”

“You’ve told me so many times how long it took for you to pick it… but it’s just”

“STOP”

She interrupted

“I gave you that name…

When you were too young to even speak”

“Now you’ve got a voice of your own.

I think it’s about time YOU tell the world who you really are”

____________________________________________________

A 40 year old

Staring at themselves in the mirror

Hours at a time, somedays.

Never a fan of make-up,

Wipes it off…

For the final time.

Takes a deep breath.

Walks to the dresser

Opens the package

That just arrived in the mail

Takes out a pinback button with the words

“They/Them”

And whispers

“Today, I show the world the real me.”

____________________________________________________

A small town child

On a rainy day

Sitting in the backseat

Stares out the window

At the rainbow forming

Underneath the dark clouds.

No stranger

To that beautiful mix of colors,

A smile forms across his face

As he says

“Hey Dad, Look!

A rainbow!”

“I think Dad's going to be really happy when we pick him up from work today!”

His father looks out the window

And says

“Your Dad’s always really happy when he gets out.

Because you're the first thing he sees.”

“Well now he can be proud too!”

The father looks at his child through the rearview mirror and says

“Nothing in our lives

Has ever given us

More pride

Than you.”