Farewell, Brave Soldier
I haven't posted here in quite a while. I have intended to, but frankly, haven't been quite sure what to say. I've been quite busy, & wasn't sure what I wanted to share, or how. Whatever I had in mind, it certainly wasn't this.
For a few years, even before I knew ANY of you, I have been active - to one degree or another - with an online group whose purpose was as a support group for transgendered veterans. We would try to help in whatever way we could, from just being a shoulder, providing an online social outlet, or finding information for those in need of whatever various services. I helped the founder, Linda, mostly by managing the online site.
Linda Holmes was a retired U.S. Navy officer, and has been very active. She has spent a lot of time in Washington, and has been very instrumental in some of the recent changes to the VA's policies. (Ironically, I've been fighting them myself this week, as my local clinic refuses to help me, even though the new policy states that they must). It was only very recently - within the last month - that I decided to resign from the group. I felt that my lack of being able to secure the same help for myself as I had tried to for others sort of put me in a spot of... I don't know. Hypocrite is too strong a word, but something along those lines. You know what I'm saying. Plus, I've become so busy with other aspects of my life to where I hadn't really been that active in the group for a while now anyway.
I received a message this morning from another member of the group - a very nice woman who I've had the pleasure of meeting in physical life, and who had taken up the slack in my absense - that recently Linda passed away from complications of pneumonia.
Cue the guilt trip.
Linda: When I was first starting out on this journey of mine, you were one of the very first to help me. And because of your efforts, many, many others will receive your help long after you are gone. You served your country proudly, both as a military member, and a civilian. Truly, in so many ways that none of us truly understand, you will be missed. I at lease take comfort in knowling that you were able to complete your own transition, and to leave this world as the person you always knew in your heart you truly were.
You were my advisor in those early days, an inspiration, and a friend. You will be missed.
For a few years, even before I knew ANY of you, I have been active - to one degree or another - with an online group whose purpose was as a support group for transgendered veterans. We would try to help in whatever way we could, from just being a shoulder, providing an online social outlet, or finding information for those in need of whatever various services. I helped the founder, Linda, mostly by managing the online site.
Linda Holmes was a retired U.S. Navy officer, and has been very active. She has spent a lot of time in Washington, and has been very instrumental in some of the recent changes to the VA's policies. (Ironically, I've been fighting them myself this week, as my local clinic refuses to help me, even though the new policy states that they must). It was only very recently - within the last month - that I decided to resign from the group. I felt that my lack of being able to secure the same help for myself as I had tried to for others sort of put me in a spot of... I don't know. Hypocrite is too strong a word, but something along those lines. You know what I'm saying. Plus, I've become so busy with other aspects of my life to where I hadn't really been that active in the group for a while now anyway.
I received a message this morning from another member of the group - a very nice woman who I've had the pleasure of meeting in physical life, and who had taken up the slack in my absense - that recently Linda passed away from complications of pneumonia.
Cue the guilt trip.
Linda: When I was first starting out on this journey of mine, you were one of the very first to help me. And because of your efforts, many, many others will receive your help long after you are gone. You served your country proudly, both as a military member, and a civilian. Truly, in so many ways that none of us truly understand, you will be missed. I at lease take comfort in knowling that you were able to complete your own transition, and to leave this world as the person you always knew in your heart you truly were.
You were my advisor in those early days, an inspiration, and a friend. You will be missed.