I am not religious, but do value Judeo-Christian culture, teachings and traditions. I also appreciate those that enjoy a sense of community and belonging by attending church. With this in mind, I began visiting a local Congregational church over the last year.
Some context: I pass extremely well (5'9", 28" waist, my hair is brown, medium-length bob). My voice is pretty good, too, but I might give out clues in a longer conversation with someone. I dress like any other female does wherever I am and carry myself with a sense of pride. At church, I always wear a conservative dress and low heels.
While I can't make every Sunday as I like to travel, I can usually make time once or sometimes twice a month. What I did not expect and so enjoy about these times is that there hasn’t been a Sunday that someone hasn’t stepped up with a smile and introduced themselves to me. Mostly it is the women who are more social.
When I walk in, I am thanked for coming. After the service in the fellowship room for coffee, I am always chatting with one, two or three women at a time. Yesterday, I met someone who shared my interest in the Detroit Symphony and ballet at the Michigan Opera Theater. It turns out that we had seen many of the same performances and seeing Misty Copeland dance is in our bucket list.
So with all the talk of a war (or push back) on aspects of the “trans movement,” it needs to be said that it isn’t everywhere or from everyone for any reason. I have no doubt that my pastor and some of the women I have befriended have or might have figured me out. But how does one explain the friendly faces, smiles, laughter from so many women and husbands?
Friendship is aspirational. When we meet someone we like, it is because we find aspects of them we admire.
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| Wearing Venus |
.png "To Angela Booth, everyday is dress day!") |
| To Angela Booth, everyday is dress day! |
