I know your compassion for people,
your tireless research and study to be a practitioner,
to become more of a healer than you already are.
I know your path, which is now your vocation,
has lead you to be with those
who have been compromised and harmed.
I know your love of trees and chickadees,
rocks and lakes, day moons and sunsets,
and that you speak and work for justice
for the grand mosaic of all beings.
I know you suffered under the conventions of church and culture
and even fear at disappointing your parents,
and yet you rose, day after day, without judgment, in hope
of one day naming your truer self.
I know that pain is a constant occupant,
a lurking monster, a crouching sniper
and while you refuse to let it define you,
it has also deepened your sensitivity
toward the pain of our world.
I know that you are a loving partner,
companion, sibling, friend,
and that there awaits a particular happiness
for those who have yet to meet you.
I know that you embody a unique complexity
of masculine and feminine
through which you meet the world
in a richness of oneness.
I know you have taught me, brought me,
shown me the authenticity of gender’s nonduality,
that reality is not individual but communal,
that we flourish through inclusivity, that harmony
through diversity is the heart’s sacred home,
and that joy is in opening and releasing your “I”
into the expanding unity of the true Self,
the path of connection, the path of love.
A gorgeous, loving piece about your beautiful son. Thank you, Stephen, and happy birthday, Teryl.
Thank you so much Laurie!
Happy birthday, happy new year to your son and cheers to your beautiful, justice-seeking familia!
Thank you Adela!
This is beautiful Stephen – filled with love, acceptance, pride and an understanding the complexity of life and the difficulties faced by those who follow their true path, wherever it takes them.
Lovely words, thank you Diane!
A soul to soul song of a “…grand mosaic of all beings…” experienced with a moistened eye, thank you. “Happy birthday”, Teryl
Thank you Raymond!
Celebrating Teryl’s birthday and his supportive parents!
Happy Birthday, Teryl!
Thank you Ike and Millie!
A beautiful poem to an incredible person.
Thanks Steve, and happy birthday Teryl!
Thanks for that Ryan!
Gorgeous, heartening, true. Thank you for your words of love 🙂
Thank you so much Anthony!
Expressed with love and grace Stephen! You have reached into Teryl’s soul and seen the beauty of a pure heart!
Those are beautiful words. Thank you Carol!
Thank you so very much Stephen … wonderfully written and full of love . As you know we’re on the same journey as you guys … I could not have expressed this in words so eloquently , powerfully and beautifully as you have ! However every word resonates with me and our Bronwen .
Thank you so much Jennifer. Love to you and Bronwen, and to all of your family.
Stephen,
I too have a trans step-son and my husband has done his best to live with and within the mystery. Your words brought tears to my eyes and I believe you and Teryl are most fortunate to have each other. Blessings to you both.
Thank you for this sensitive personal note Ann. And blessings back.
How profound and beautiful. Thank you, Steve! And a (belated) happy birthday to Teryl! Looking forward to venturing up your way soon!
Thank you so much Melanie! Looking forward to seeing you!
Pure True Love … at its very finest. Happy Birthday Wishes to your son!
Thank you Tamara!
Beautifully written, Steve – and I’m glad to be an uncle! And I concur with the comments about compassion. Teryl and Mateo were a great comfort when we lost our Garry.
Thanks so much Sam.
Steve, you have given Teryl such a beautiful gift with these words and what they represent. You have all lived this journey with such grace, compassion, courage and love. Thank you for sharing the journey and inspiring us to to a higher way.
Thank you for those lovely words Sue!
Mr. Berg,
Your worlds touched me very deeply. I hope that I had your talent and could have written them to my non-binary kid.
Thank you!
Thank you Genevieve. Heartened by your words.