A lot has happened this week

It’s been a busy week really with lots going on.
Last Saturday was a tough night really.
My wife stayed over for the first time with her boyfriend and it left me feeling all over the place. I chatted with Caroline who is a great support in tough times (thanks), shed quite a few tears and drank a little too much wine to drown my sorrows. I went bed eventually at about 4.00 AM and awoke with a sore head.
I have managed to come to terms with the loss of my wife this week and accept that she has now moved on. I am becoming used to talking about the good and bad bits of her boyfriend. It’s damn strange to be honest but it is getting easier (if not really boring to listen to!!)
On Tuesday I went to my GP and asked him if he could write me a letter for my name change in my passport, driving licence and social security office. He gave me 3 copies which I picked up on Thursday.
On Wednesday night I popped into see one of my wife’s friends who works at the passport help line, to get some advice on the forms. She helped me fill them in and we had a natter over a cup of tea. She was really nice actually. She has known about me for a few months now and has been a great support to my wife. Her daughter and boyfriend came in half way through and started chatting. It was a fun hour listening to the banter between the young lovers!
I had some photos taken on Thursday night (don’t passport photos look awful!) came home to fill out the forms and then went to my neighbour so she could be my witness.
A cup of coffee and an hour later I came back with the forms all filled out.
I posted them today so hopefully I will get my passport back within a couple of weeks.
I have read the application for a new driving licence and it seems I will have to wait for my passport change as they do a check with the passport office so I need my name change first there I think. Hopefully it won’t delay that for too long.
I got my first credit card back with my name on so that great.
Wednesday night was a busy night because as well as visiting the lady to help with my passport, I also visited the parents of a couple more of my sons friends who live close by.
The first couple I saw were fabulous. No sooner had I said what was going on that she stood up rushed over and gave me a hug. We had a chat for a while and both her and her husband were really great. They said they would explain to their son and he would be ok. They also thanked me for coming around and letting them know. When I left both of them gave me a hug and said goodbye Lisa!!
I then set off a bit more confident to tell another couple. When I got there only the wife was there. So I explained to her what was going on. Just as before she said she was ok with it. She asked some questions which I was happy to answer and after 30 minutes I left after a hug. She said she would tell her husband and son.
About 10.00 PM I got a text and she said she had told her husband and son and they were fine. In fact they took my son to the cinema on Thursday and after dropping him off we passed each other in the cars. We both stopped and the whole family called me Lisa. I have known the husband for a number of years, in fact I used to go kickboxing with him (I know it’s not girly but at the time I was trying to prove I was a man! – what a joke) and he did say Jason at first but quickly rectified it and was great.
I really feel that society is changing for the better; People seem more tolerant of things nowadays. I guess there is more information out there which helps a lot.
Last Saturday morning my Brother and Sister in law called. They wanted to come around with their kids to give some cards and presents to my kids. When we spoke I asked him if he had told my niece and nephew yet (They have known for about 7 months now). He said he hadn’t as he felt they were too young. I explained that there ages are perfect (5 and 9) as they have no preconceptions. My neighbour’s kids are the same age and they have been fabulous. They are now fully used to me in only 3 weeks!
He said he was not ready to tell them yet but would in the future.
I explained it was up to him but it was a shame as I would not hide anymore. I said they were all welcome around but I am me now and that is not going to change, so if he felt that they should not come around I would understand. He then said he still wanted to come over with his wife.
So a couple of hours later they arrived without the kids. It went well. No awkwardness really and we chatted for an hour or so. It was the first time they have seen me in anything more than androgynous clothes. We hugged when they left and off to my parents they went.
I spoke to my Mum on Saturday night and she said they had said how normal I was. I get the impression they thought I would be some sort of drag queen! They also told her in hindsight there kids would have been fine. So hopefully this means they will tell them soon to avoid any difficulty at family gatherings etc.
Plenty more to write about but I don’t want to bore people to death!
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