🙂 Hi Mother Hen
It is just 12 months since Sam came out to us. The time has just flown by. We had no idea but it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. I felt I needed to tell my family as I have always had an honest and close relationship with them all and God gave me the timing and of course, it was just right. My mum is 81 and has always been very close to Sam as we lived next to her for 12 of his 22-1/2 years and only really moved around the corner so his closeness to her has always been there. Her best friend, who is also in her 80’s, has a lesbian daughter who I grew up with and she has lived with her partner for close to 30 years now so I think that helped my mum a lot.
Your son (Mr Summitt) is such a beautiful young man. I have socialised quite a bit with him and you (and I) are very lucky parents indeed.
I did not know about or ever heard about Freedom2b(e) until Sam told me it existed. It is such a blessing that such an organisation exists and it has helped so many people come to accept their orientation and feel loved and supported. (Thank you again Anthony).
Sam is attending a church in Sydney that welcomes LGBT people and this is fantastic. He also told me that one of the guys that goes there with him has no family support at all and that is very sad. Next time I am in Sydney I want to meet this young man and offer my love to him as a parent figure as it just breaks my heart to hear of these instances. No one should have no one. He is not yet a member of Freedom2b(e) but hopefully soon, he will be and realise that there is just so much support for him in Sydney.
I marched along side Sam in this year’s Mardi Gras parade. It was just so exciting and I was proud to show my ultimate acceptance of my gay son. Maybe next year you might consider marching with Your son (Mr Summitt) . I would love to meet you and your husband. My husband said he would also like to share this awesome experience with Sam and I next year. Ben (Sam’s partner) and his parents also marched and they are such lovely, accepting parents as well and it would be lovely if you could meet them also.
I have just returned this week from attending the annual Freedom2b(e) anniversary dinner. We had such a beautiful, friendly evening and I met so many new people and caught up with others that I already knew.
The supporting parents who attend Freedom2b(e) events is a small group at present but I have been praying that the numbers with grow rapidly this year. I was so excited to see your story so my prayers are already being answered. Praise God.
Outwardly showing our support for our kids is such a tremendous feeling and it sooooo helps them with their acceptance of who they are. I absolutely love walking down the streets of Sydney and in the shops with Sam, Ben, Your son (Mr Summitt) and whoever I am with that are gay as I am so proud of them all. I get a few looks from people but they are the ones with the problem…not me. We frequent a little restaurant in Newtown quite often when I visit Sam and the owner will often comment “only got one son with you today” or “lucky you, both sons with you today”. (He knows that I actually only have 1 son of my own). It is also this acceptance from complete strangers that makes life worthwhile.
As I mentioned before, I would love to meet you one day and I’m sure that will happen one day in the not too distant future. If you would like to chat some more, please don’t hesitate as I’m always here.
Blessings to you and your husband
Helen xx
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