Welcome 2005!

Where did the year go? The common thought is that as you get older, time goes by faster. I used to believe that but since I retired from gainful employment four years ago I find that “It ain't necessarily so”. Did 2004 drag by for you? If so, volunteer for something, join a group, reach out to your sisters. By the very nature of our dysphoria, we tend to be reclusive; many of us for most of our lives because we feel that no one will understand us. By reaching out to others in our community you will find that you are NOT alone. I say this particularly to the girls that attend our meetings and events yet rarely respond to another person's spoken word or a compliment. It is easy to say this or write it, but I speak from my heart. For most of my life I envied the outgoing chatty person. When Katie came out of the closet four years ago, a whole new person came out with her. I made up my mind to be more outgoing. I thank my good friend and mentor Olivia Connors for affording me the opportunity to get involved with the Primrose. Since then one thing has led to another and yes, time does go by faster! Not because I'm older, but because I have learned that whatever I give, I get back ten-fold in personal enrichment.

A beautiful example of giving is our own Raquel Welch. Every year on Christmas Day Raquel opens her home and heart to our girls that have no place else to go. Raquel volunteered her home again this Holiday Season. God Bless you Raquel.

Our Holiday festivities turned out very well. We collected a huge amount of Toys for Tots, the gift exchange had heavy participation and fifty five to sixty girls managed to eat twelve extra-large pizzas. These included two ANCHOVY pizzas. The amount of left-overs? None, Zip, Nada.

As the New Year dawns, we will kick off the year with a wine tasting party sponsored by Chuck Hyde of Sidetrack bar on Halsted Street. We will have hors d'oeuvres but please feel free to bring your own special treats as well. For those of you who do the nightlife scene, Sidetrack is a warm, welcoming place. Sure we get some funny looks, but the only way the GLB community will begin to understand the “T” community is by getting to know us. I've been there a few times and have always felt welcome.

As the New Year dawns, think about becoming more involved in Chicago Gender Society. After almost three years on the board of CGS I have served my time, but as CGS grows, so do I. Hopefully, my name will be on the ballot this coming April in some capacity. If you don't want to serve C.G.S., think about all the other opportunities out there. Illinois Gender Advocates needs members and volunteers. Equality Illinois needs members and volunteers. Human Rights Campaign needs members and volunteers.

So, make this year your year of involvement, you will be richer for it.

And now the Benediction:

Of all the armies that marched throughout history, of all the wars that were fought, of all the kings and queens that have reigned, of all the leaders of the world that have done both good and evil, nothing or no one has so affected this World as did the life of a simple carpenter from the little town of Bethlehem: Jesus Christ. He so loved us that he Volunteered His life for us.

God Bless & Happy New Year, Katie