Welcome and Happy Holidays!

This may be unconventional for a Christmas card, but if you've known us for any length of time, that seems fitting! You may be wondering where you are--let me officially welcome you to Grace Changes Things! More on that in a minute...

 

This year was filled with as much love as we could squeeze in. Lots of family time, reconnecting with old friends, and a little Taylor Swift! Mike ran another half marathon. I took up pilates. Evan and Allison are thriving in Dayton with their cats Jimmy and Penelope, and Connor started his junior year at DePaul University. Teddy keeps us busy with walks, but he spends most days missing his siblings.

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My life's work as an advocate for transgender youth continues. Which brings us back to this website! I created Grace Changes Things as a free resource for families of transgender, non-binary and gender diverse kids. In a world where false information is being spread about transgender people and the experience of trans kids, I wanted to help families find trusted resources. If you follow me on social media, you know that this work is so very hard. Grace Changes Things gives me a positive outlet to help families like ours. 

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As I thought about what to share in this year's holiday card, I'll admit that I struggled to feel Merry & Bright. War, hatred and the unrelenting attack against transgender kids and families have admittedly clouded my holiday spirit. And yet...A Thrill of Hope. That's what this season means to me. The promise of hope and of better days. The pursuit of peace in a world that so desperately needs it. An infusion of love for those made to feel unworthy. This is what inspired Grace Changes Things, and it's what continues to energize me while I keep searching for the good in the world.

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There are so many ways we can each make a difference and create more hope, love and peace. Donate to your favorite charity. Volunteer for a non-profit. Spend time with someone different than you to gain a better understanding of their life and the challenges they face. Listen more. Argue and judge less. Love one another. 

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While you're here, please take a few minutes to look around, and share Grace Changes Things with anyone you think could use support or wants to gain a better understanding of being transgender. I've also created a blog to document our journey with Allison and to share information to help families on this path feel less alone. I hope it creates more understanding and empathy as well.

 

Perhaps the most exciting news of all--we've launched the Grace Changes Things Foundation--a non-profit created to lift up organizations and programs that support transgender, non-binary and gender diverse youth! This has been a dream come true, but one born of necessity as anti-trans hate continues to spiral out of control. If you want to learn more about our work, click here. I hope we can infuse a bit of love where and when it's most needed through our grantmaking.

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In the words of Mother Teresa, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." We've forgotten. Let's fix that.

 

Wishing you all a year of PEACE, HOPE, LOVE AND JOY!