I spent the afternoon with two wonderful friends whom I hadn’t seen since a couple years before COVID hit. It was great fun!

 

We got together at Golden Corral in Puyallup at the South Hill Mall.  I had forgotten how good the food there is, and I love the variety. It’s a buffet with just about everything you can imagine, so I filled my plate and we sat down to eat and chat… and chat… and chat!!!

 

We were there for nearly three hours just catching up.  I did most of the talking, because I had the most to share.  And they kept asking questions, so I know they were truly interested.

 

Since we were together last, I’ve had my chest masculinized, lost 50 pounds, had a panniculectomy (“surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, often after significant weight loss”), and written four new books. Although we have kept in virtual touch — watching and reading about each other’s doings on Facebook and elsewhere — we haven’t been with each other in well over five years.

 

They both look better than they did then, health-wise, which was delightful to see.  They say I look healthier, too.  I know I’m certainly more relaxed (except for the year-long-to-date catastrophic drop in income) because I’m living authentically now as a transgender individual. It was nice to drop the act of portraying myself as female — not that I ever did that overly well, but I tried to at least “play the part” (short of wearing odious dresses):  I accepted “she/her” pronouns as a matter of course back then, something I still struggle with myself, since it’s such a habit after six and a half decades of life.

 

But they used the proper pronouns when introducing me to the manager and servers at Golden Corral. I’m dying to name them, but I may be signing a NDA to write more for them, so I won’t do that.

 

What I will say is that they both have the hugest hearts for underserved youngsters. And they are long-married but still evidently madly in love with each other. They still treat each other like newlyweds. Kisses and loving pats even when they part just long enough to use the bathroom.

 

BIRTHDAY GIRL

 

There was a little “princess” sitting next to us having a birthday lunch with her family.  As soon as my tablemates realized she was there for that special occasion, they asked her parents if they could speak to her and give her with a little something.  The parents said yes, so Gail asked the young lady’s name (she was about eight or nine, I think) and they gave her some money and we and her family sang happy birthday to her. She beamed.

 

I asked them if they knew the family, and they said no; it’s just something they do every time they see a young’un celebrating their birthdays. They bless total strangers with their kindness. The people at Golden Corral treat them like visiting royalty. I have no doubt they deserve it.  They leave a trail of smiles and good feelings everywhere they go.  They forsook one church for another that is LGBTQIA+ affirming.  They can’t abide in places where everyone isn’t made welcome and celebrated for being who they are.

 

They’re adorable and I love them dearly

 

I wrote a letter to help them get more financial backing and toy donations for their nonprofit from big toy companies.  I hope it works, because they’re presently supplementing ther cause (and have been for five+ years) with their Social Security and retirement funds, and they shouldn’t have to be doing that. They’re working their tails off to help underserved Puget Sound families seven days a week, driving hither and yon collecting toys for their annual toy drive which happens a couple weeks before Christmas every year. They don’t want any family toy-less, book-less, or game-less at Christmastime.

 

While we were there, one of the servers came by to give them a hug and mentioned that her young son is still parading around in the exquisite Batman costume he got last year from them. He wore it for Halloween this year. The mom said, “And it’s a substantial costume!”  meaning well-made, not a Dollar Store quality costume, which is why he’s so proud of it.

 

After she walked away, Gail said to me, “These are the comments that keep us going. She’s a hard-working mom with two jobs, still struggling to make ends meet.”

 

I know families like hers. You probably do too, if you aren’t one of them yourself.

 

It’s people like my two friends who give me hope. They’re both in their mid-70’s, doing what they can do give parents and their kids grins, hugs, and renewed hope for a better tomorrow.  “The kindness of strangers…”

 

They need volunteers the week before, the week of, and the week after their holiday event this year. 

 

If you are local and can volunteer to help load and/or drive toys to the church before and after and/or attend as a volunteer during some of the days (Dec 6 – 7, and December 9-14) in North Tacoma, please let me know as soon as possible. I will give your info to them so they can reach out to you with details.

 

I know they need 22 volunteers during the event hours (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the dates listed above) and additional volunteer help the week before and for several days after the event for set up and clean up. They are both using canes and sometimes in wheelchairs themselves, so the need for ambulatory assistance is profound.  If you can help, please let me know!