I found this link on the Yahoo front page and after taking a look, I thought I'd share it with my fellow Kosters here. Call this my official return to the community after a bit of a hiatus. Join me after the squiggle for my own thoughts on the matter, won't you?
Check This Out
To sum up my own opinion on this, I gotta say that this is truly heartwarming. I mean, when Nicole was 4 she knew exactly who she wanted to be as she grew up. Yet what really makes this stand out is that even though her father is a political conservative, the guy actually sat down with both Nicole (then Wyatt) and Jonas and taught them some great life lessons before school.
"We sat down with our kids at the breakfast table when they were 9 and talked about fear, hate, evil and freedom of speech before sending them to school," their father, Wayne Maines, 52, wrote in an email to ABCNews.com.
"I was very angry and sad to have to talk to our small children in this manner," he said. "We also told them to keep their heads-up, be proud and take care of each other and their friends. I am very proud of them both because they have not forgotten that lesson and they continue to help others whenever it is safe to do so."
It's not just a story about a transgender girl being able to successfully come into her own identity, to me. It's also a very good example of how to raise a family. Eschewing politics in favor of the safety of your loved ones. This shows real character, on the part of Mr. Maines that although he initially "grieved because he was losing a son," he still cares deeply for both his children.
I can only wish the Maines family all the luck and support in the future as they look to help other households like their by bringing their story into the public eye. In particular, I want to wish Nicole the best of luck in her transition and continues happiness and love in her life going forward.