Finally my first small step

 
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #000000;">Like so many others, I was a “Closet” dressing gurl.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I totally enjoy wearing all the soft and pretty clothing that are the realm of the female of our specie.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>My wife encouraged me to be Linda as much as possible – inside the house.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I live in a town that is next to the largest Marine base in the country.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Stepping out in this environment would be tantamount to asking for a beating, or worse by the homophobic, macho, single minded group that comprises this population.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>For 40 years I was inside, looking out and wanting to feel the breeze blowing across my legs.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Ruffling the hem of my dress.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Wanting, but not daring.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Then my wife died in her sleep.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I was shattered and had a total breakdown from her loss.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>My grief counselor got me to admit to him that I was a closet crossdresser, and, that I totally enjoyed the lady side of my personality.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span></span></span></p>
 
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri;">Once I broke the barrier of talking to another person about me as Linda, I moved on and reached out to my sister.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>She invited me to visit, and then enjoy a dress as much while there as I wanted.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>So, I flew from California to Indiana.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I checked into a motel and the next day, as Linda, drove to her house.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Her daughter, my 42-year-old niece, dropped in and met her uncle, who she expected, but she wasn’t expecting to also have an aunt as the same person.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Didn’t faze her a bit.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>If I enjoyed a dress, then it was totally fine with her.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I stayed there for a week.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I dressed both as Linda and my boy side, Mike.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>When I returned to California, my niece emailed me as Aunt Linda.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>We emailed back and forth as ladies.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>She told me of her split and then divorce.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>She found a new boyfriend but was leery of commitment.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I talked to her as an aunt and offered her my thoughts and sage advice.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I enjoyed starting my letter to her by describing my attire for the day.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I started with the dress, then the color and style of my bra and panties, and then even earrings and shoes.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Sometimes when I had to go out, I sent her emails from Uncle Mike.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>We decided that she had never been to the Pacific, so she would stay with me for a week, and have a whirlwind sightseeing trip of the area.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>She accepted the invitation and wanted me to enjoy Linda as much as possible, so she said that she would also wear a dress while here.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I outlined what I hoped that we could visit while she was here.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>She talked me into driving the entire first day as Aunt Linda with her niece, Julie.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Just two ladies wearing dresses.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I finally agreed to this adventure I had always wanted, but never done.</span></p>
 
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #000000;">We left my house early.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Lots of things on the list to see and do.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>First up is the Kelso train Depot museum.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>When I parked my car, the lot only had a few cars, so I didn’t get panicked about the next BIG step.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I opened the car door and stepped out into the sunshine and air.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Of course, a couple of people looked at the new arrivals, but, I just went about my business as if I always belonged as I presented myself.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I grabbed my purse, and we casually strolled down the front of the building chatting and taking pictures.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>As we returned to the car, Julie decided that we would stop in the lady’s room.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>She didn’t give me a chance to say no, she just rather went in and had me in front, so I couldn’t back out.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>We went into our stalls and sat, did our thing and then she insisted that I wash my hands properly, and fix my lipstick.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Never thought about it, just did what any lady did and then we left the room.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Got back in my car and we drove on to the next stop.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>The Mojave Cross is a memorial to the fallen veterans and is a nice place to stop, meditate and perhaps have a snack at one of the tables there.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>That is exactly what we did.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>After the accomplishment of Kelso Depot and folks there, the quietness and solitude of the cross was now, somehow easy.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Popped out of the car and we sat and talked, in the open air, for about 30 minutes.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>When we left there, I noticed that I needed gas.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Something I hadn’t planned for.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I have as much right as anyone to buy gas, my attire is my choice.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>So, I did just that.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I even cleaned all the car windows as anyone might.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Next stop is that famous sign in Las Vegas.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>We are to stop there and get a picture of her under it.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>When we got there, mild panic set in because the place had about fifty people there, including a fake Elvis.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>(Guess they are everywhere in Las Vegas.)<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Parked and got out of the car.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Lots of people looked at us.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I just told myself that they were looking at my new red Corvette with up opening doors like a Lambo, surely not at that 6 ft. tall person in a dress and wig.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Reached in the car, got my purse, and we proceeded to walk to the line and take our turn.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I don’t know if anyone looked at me, because I was now in the mindset that it just isn’t any big thing.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Wearing a dress on a nice day is comfortable, so I was wearing a dress.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>My choice!<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>And I felt delightfully comfortable!!<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>We got our picture and proceeded to the next location which was the Hoover/Boulder Dam.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>Again, there were tons of tourists, but by now I was at ease, and we just enjoyed walking across it and back.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>The clack of my short heels on the concrete was something I never thought I would hear.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>In a crowd of others was even more of an event thrill.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>We walked back on the opposite side and then drove on to Laughlin.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I changed back to Uncle Mike at a rest stop just before the town.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span></span></span></p>
 
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri;">I had finally broken the taboo.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I was outside all day, as Linda, wearing a pretty dress.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I had driven over 300 miles, did sightseeing and was in the public.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>The sun had finally shined on Linda.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>The breeze had blown my dress and up my skirt.<span style="margin: 0px;">  </span>I was totally elated at such a small thing, but such a big accomplishment – for me.</span></p>