Two Days ago, my twin sister came over to talk to me. I had contacted her earlier in the week to tell her that I had something very important and very personal to tell her about. For years now, I have been fretting over the fact that her and & I were no longer close, yet still this coming out was one that I feared the most. I wasn't sure how she would react, but I knew she would take it hard, and she did.

When she pulled in the drive, I was sitting on the front patio waiting for her. She got out of her car and looked at me and then rushed over to give me a hug. I can't remember the last time we saw each other, but I'm guessing it's been close to two years! Then she said, "Ok, tell me what's going on?"

I chuckled a little and said, "Are you sure you don't want something to drink or anything?"

She insisted that I get on with it, so we both sat down at the picnic table and I went right into it. When I first started doing these disclosures, I had thought that I should start with her because she is my twin. I wanted to emphasize the importance of that, but now I'm glad that I've had a little practice before this one. She took it harder than any of the others have, including my children. She was visibly frightened and she was shaking. She cried and pleaded that I not do this. Through her sobs, she asked, "Why ?" Such a simple question to which there is no easy answer.

I did my best to explain it all. She wondered out loud what she would tell her children, then she apologized for thinking about herself. She asked about my children and my wife. I told her they were doing ok, but struggling and that my wife and I were headed for divorce. More tears. I watched her quickly evolve through a whole gambit of emotions; fear, confusion, anger, empathy...

... I asked her to read the letter I had written to our other sister two weeks after she had found out about my condition. She read it slowly and then gently laid it down and turned to me and in a very soft voice smiled and said, "I love you."

We talked some more and I mentioned the Barbara Walters 20/20 special about transgendered children. In that show, there is a boy/girl twin set just like us. My twin said she had watched it with her family. She was worried because at that time her husband was very cynical about it, but she said she herself was moved by the program. We talked and talked for about an hour and 45 minutes before we were going in circles. She ended by telling me that she loves me no matter what and she supports me, but it will take time for her to understand it all. Her hands were still shaking a little from nerves as she pulled away in the car. The last thing she said was, "Everything will be ok."

***

I talked to her yesterday morning briefly on the phone. She sounded upbeat and was happy and proud of her husband's loving reaction. He spent the night comforting her and was non-judgmental towards me. She told me that they both are still in shock! And we quickly discussed some strategies for telling my last remaining sibling--our oldest sister who lives in Florida. That will have to be done soon.

Today I sent her a quick email to thank her for "being there for me" here is her reply:

You are welcome.. I thank God for (your wife), that she has been there for you and is so supportive…I think she is an Angel and I love her so very much for being so good to you and for being so strong. I am going to call her soon to thank her myself . I am thinking of you often and love you very much as well but it is really hard for me to deal with internally.. I hope you understand and please know that I care about you more than you know and want nothing but the best for you. Stay strong.. I love you.:)

Words can't describe how I feel right now. All I can say is.... I love her too!