aNoteToMyKid.com

A Note to Mom from Amanda (Kentucky)

Mom,

I don’t think I tell you enough how much I love you, and how lucky I am to have you as a mother.

I want to cry when I hear about families who can’t find the love in their hearts to love a family member who is gay. You not only have accepted me with open arms, you have accepted my wife, Stephanie, into our family and you love her like a daughter. You know you have made her life better, and in turn that makes me happier than I could ever describe.
 
I know that when I came out you were upset. I know it wasn’t because you were judgmental. I can only imagine the things that were going through your head….. will there be anger and judgment towards me…will my life in the world be harder…will there be any grandchildren for you? I wish that I  didn’t wait so long to tell you. I spent so much time and money trying to pretend I was something I wasn’t. I spent even more time thinking that you wouldn’t love me anymore, that you would be angry. How wrong I was. You have been so loving and supportive. I had no reason to be scared.
 
Friends of mine - my gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual and straight friends whom you have opened your arms to – always tell me how jealous they are that I have a mom like you. I always tell them I know I am very, very lucky. So now I am telling you; Mom, I am so very lucky and grateful that I have you. To have your love, support, friendship. I love you so very much, and I know I couldn’t be the person I am today without you.
 
Your little Punkin City-

Amanda

A Note from Angie to Her Mom (Marlinton, West Virginia)

Mom,

You died way too young and with so much left to give.

But before you died you told me that you loved me and Tracy, and that you were happy for me.

You didn't always approve and I wasn't always honest about my life with her. I think you know it was because I was afraid. She is the best thing to ever happen to me and I am so glad you acknowledged it. 

I love you and miss you.

- Angie

A Note to Pat from Mom (Staten Island, New York)

When my son told me he was gay he was about 24. Never in a million years did i have an idea. I was clueless. He had  so many girlfriends, but I'll never forget that day.

I remember breaking down crying because the 1st thought that entered my mind was that I was not going to have grandchildren from him. But he hugged me, smiled, and said as soon as he settles down and falls in love that he would adopt.

He told my husband a few months later. It was hard for him to accept. Being Italian, I think makes it even harder. But my husband has accepted him and his boyfriend with open arms.

My son is now 32, a supervisor for Gucci, and lives in Manhattan with his boyfriend. I am so very proud of him because he is happy and proud of who he is. I count my blessings each and every day that he is strong enough to be the person that he was born to be. I feel so proud that i have a gay son. I'll be forever proud of him. 

Attached is a picture of my son (left) and his boyfriend Ruben. What a handsome couple they make  ;-)   

A Note from Jose to His Friends (London, England)

When I decided to move from Brazil to Dubai (UAE) I knew that life had many amazing experiences in store for me. Over there I worked for 3 years and a half as cabin crew for an airline and had the chance to see the world and meet wonderful people, including my partner and my friends.

This letter goes to Pamela, Sabrina, Marina, Fabiane, Ivan, Jaime and Bianca. I wanna thank you all for your unconditional love toward me. You were my family when I needed one, my source of daily laughter, you understood how I think and accepted me the way I am (and I'm not talking about my sexuality here), you made a party wherever we were, you were my psychologists when I needed to talk and receive advice...

You are all my brothers and sisters and I love each of you individually. Now that I moved out of Dubai and I'm about to get married to the best possible man on the face of the earth, I find myself so happy but yet I miss you all so terribly. You are always gonna be part of my life and I can't wait to see you all in London together on the big day.

I love you guys.

Jose

 

 

A Note to Chris from His Sister, Donna (Seattle, Washington)

To my big brother Chris,

I have much to be thankful for because of you, I might not even have been born of it weren't for you, constantly pestering Mom and Dad, telling them you had a little brother or sister that needed to be born. And you have been watching out for me ever since. 

All I can remember from youth is looking up to and wanting to be like you. You were so confident, you could do anything! Being 10 years younger than you, I have a more unique position to never have known my brother as practically anything else but a gay man. You and Blair have been together since I was 12, or was it 11 years old. Our sister told me you were gay when I was 11, I had no idea what that meant at first, and later when I did, the only worry I had was for how people would treat you. But I never once wished for you to be anything else, I can’t even understand how anyone could, it’s such an integral part of what makes you . . . you.

You took me to gay bars, gave me my first experience with a transgendered person when you told me about a great hairdresser you knew, and discussed openly with me all of the emotions that you have gone through because of your sexuality. I know it hasn’t been easy for you,  we have had so many conversations about you're being a gay man, about how society and religion view it, about how such a difficult road you sometimes have to transverse is not something you would “choose,”  it’s just who you are.

I’ve always admired your strength, determination, and ability to do anything you set your mind to, which is a great many things, and you’re successful at all of them. You and Blair have been together for so long, through so much, and that should be inspirational for anybody, straight or gay.

I feel so blessed that the lord sent me to our family, and you are so much loved, so very much by all of mine.

This letter can’t even begin to express everything you mean to me and how blessed I feel to be your sister. Honestly, all I’ve ever seen you as is my brother, who is gay, not my “gay brother.” And, I hope Blair doesn’t mind, but I refer to him as my brother-in-law, because he really is, and we feel the same about him, blessed he is part of our family.

You asked how you’re being gay has affected me. I don’t have prejudice or fear or hatred in my heart, and you’ve affected that.

To me, you have just been a bright star in my life.  You burn bright, big brother, and I love you for it.
 
~ Donna

A Note to Josh from His Mom and Dad (Boone, Iowa)

Dear Josh,

For 32 years we loved you and supported you and your choices. We laughed with you, met your friends and watched you spread your wings and fly. One day we got a call,  you said, "I'm gay." So now we love you and support you and your choices. We laugh hysterically with you. We are always excited to meet your new (gay and straight) friends. You are off on a new adventure, so once again we have to stand back and watch you launch yourself and fly. Be 100% authentic. 

Love,

Ma & Pa Purdy

A Note to Her 15-Year-Old Son from Mom (San Diego, California)

Dear son,

How can I begin to express to you how much I love and admire you? The day you were born and I looked into your eyes was happier than a million Christmas mornings or trips to Disneyland combined! Raising you has been such a joy. It has only been a week since you came out to me and I just want to take the time to tell you how proud I am of you for your courage. And I want to express to you how blessed I have been to get to be your mother!

I admire you for your kindness and your bright spirit. Your sense of humor is razor sharp. You keep us all constantly laughing and smiling. You are so easy for me and the others in your life to talk with. You always know the right thing to say. You are so kind to your little cousins. You are such good company. And let’s face it you are brilliant. You have always excelled at whatever you do. You are not only intellectually intelligent, you are emotionally intelligent. I am so proud of you for that! You have always been so creative and talented. Watching you perform, sing, dance, act, or play classical music is so enchanting to me. You are also an artist, poet, cartoonist, composer, and sculptor. God gave you so many beautiful gifts!

And I’m not the only one who feels that way about you. Your whole family counts you as one of their most favorite people in the world. I can’t count the times I’ve heard from your teachers and other people what a wonderful person you are and what a joy you are to be around. I hope you take this praise to heart.

You were born different. Let’s celebrate your many differences! Two things that you were born with: being left handed and intellectually gifted puts you are already in the minority. You were also given the gifts of perfect musical pitch and hilarious comedic timing. You were also born gay. This society often fears and hates this. They fear what is foreign and what they don’t understand. There is so much ignorance.

I have always known you were exceptional and special. You are such a bright soul. All these characteristics that I love about you are encompassed in this wonderful person who also happens to be gay.

I pray that you continue to be brave and strong as you go through your life. Don’t let the haters get you down, and if they do, turn to the people who love you and we will lift you up. We will infuse your spirit with the same joy that you have freely given to us! I am so lucky to be the proud mom of a gay son. What a privilege! Thank you for choosing to be born to me. I am and always will be your biggest fan!

I love you to eternity and back, son.

Love,

Mom

 

A Note to Emma from Mom (San Diego, California)

Dear Emma,

I want you to know that having you in my life has been the most exhilarating, exciting, joyful, thought-provoking adventure yet! You amaze me, every day.

I love everything about you, even the challenges, and I'm prepared to provide you with all the resources I can, so that you can live your life to the fullest! I will support you even if I disagree with you.

I will always allow you to explore the world and discover for yourself, who and what and where you want to be! You can always count on me to be here for you, no matter what it is you need. There is nothing too trivial and nothing too scary you can bring to me and I will listen and help you sort out whatever it is. Or I will just listen, if that is all you want.

Sometimes I stop and watch you when you are singing to yourself, or I catch a glimpse of a kind act, and my heart soars! All I want for you is happiness. When the preschool director pulled me aside to tell me that you spent the entire morning with the new Japanese student, who couldn't speak English, and you helped her find her cubby, and showed her how to climb the playground equipment at recess, and you helped her find a seat for circle time, I was so proud!

Love, compassion, sympathy, empathy, acceptance, tolerance, open-mindedness…these are the virtues I wish for you. It is your journey and I'm excited to share my unconditional love with you each step of it! I am your biggest fan, your number one supporter, and your safe place. I am your mother!

I love you, Bug.

Mommy

A Note to Kyle from His Sister, Kassie (Robertsdale, Alabama)

Growing up as kids, my other siblings and I knew something was different about our brother. He was so much more sensitive and dramatic then us. But we loved him regardless!

As a teenager, around 15 I believe, he finally admitted what we already knew. He is gay. It was a weight lifted off his shoulders. He could finally be himself! But that ended up a little more difficult then expected. Worried about what others would think of him, he became very rebellious. Started doing drugs and drinking very heavily. He became anorexic. He attempted suicide.

Then finally one day he had a wake up call. He realized if he were to ever be somebody, he needed to make changes. He looked to his spirituality and began meditating, doing yoga, and working out. He finally freed himself from worries, pains, and sufferings. He is now healthy and most importantly happy with who he is. He has become somebody I can look up to. He has inspired me to be a better person. 

Bubby, you are beautifully and wonderfully made and I love you to craziness & beyond!

Your sister,

Kassie

 

A Note to Annie, Shelby and Allison from Mom (West Chicago, Illinois)

Dear Annie, Shelby, Allison,
 
XTC said it well -  "Any kind of love is alright"
 
Be happy. Be happiest when you're living a life that improves the world you're in and the lives you touch.
 
Be safe, be kind, be healthy, be respectful.
 
Love honestly. Love because you feel love and for no other reason.
 
Live every minute of your lives with peace & joy.
 
I love you,

Mom