Like many families, we have dealt with the difficulties of homosexual relatives. My wife and I continue to have a loving relationship with our gay relatives, even while maintaining our sense of right and wrong. It’s difficult but God’s grace makes it possible.
We are now dealing with an issue that makes homosexuality seem like a walk in the park, a transexual grandson.
His parents have fully embraced his choice so they can maintain a relationship with him. (I call that blackmail). I instinctively call him by his childhood name and identify her as he, a major faux pas. My daughter has corrected my speech several times; that hasn’t gone well. We now just ignore each other on this issue. This issue has changed our relationship.
We love the person we know; we do not know “Helen”. I took him on trips, we went fishing and camping, read books together, held long conversations; I taught him to drive. We enjoyed each other’s company. He went off to college. Now, we don’t even know what she looks like. How do we talk to him? Do we dare bring up the past when she was a he? What do we do if, (actually when), I have a slip of the tongue and say his name or use a gender specific pronoun? Do I give her a hug? Compliment him on her appearance? What should I buy her for a birthday gift? Will we ever really have a relationship again or will it always be like walking on land mines?
Anyway, my only solution so far has been to stay away, to avoid the pain and confusion. It feels like killing my own grandson.
We are now dealing with an issue that makes homosexuality seem like a walk in the park, a transexual grandson.
His parents have fully embraced his choice so they can maintain a relationship with him. (I call that blackmail). I instinctively call him by his childhood name and identify her as he, a major faux pas. My daughter has corrected my speech several times; that hasn’t gone well. We now just ignore each other on this issue. This issue has changed our relationship.
We love the person we know; we do not know “Helen”. I took him on trips, we went fishing and camping, read books together, held long conversations; I taught him to drive. We enjoyed each other’s company. He went off to college. Now, we don’t even know what she looks like. How do we talk to him? Do we dare bring up the past when she was a he? What do we do if, (actually when), I have a slip of the tongue and say his name or use a gender specific pronoun? Do I give her a hug? Compliment him on her appearance? What should I buy her for a birthday gift? Will we ever really have a relationship again or will it always be like walking on land mines?
Anyway, my only solution so far has been to stay away, to avoid the pain and confusion. It feels like killing my own grandson.
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