My First PFLAG Meeting

Dear Diary,

So far this week has gone better than expected.  My co-worker Michael has been gone and I’ve been at his desk opening accounts.  Only a few glitches, but I can’t wait to get back to my stuff.  My boss has been most appreciative and is giving me a half-day this Friday, which is nice but it’s going to rain anyway but I get a longer weekend.  She still wants me to take a job here, but I’m still against it.

Last night I worked until about 6:45pm so I could ride the #6 and get to Trinity Cathedral near Cleveland State University.  That is where they have conference rooms near the church and PFLAG is one of the groups that meet there.  I asked someone at a desk nearby where room B was and funny enough it was right behind me.  I had no expectations while walking in, but I was greeted warmly and signed into their meeting attendance book.  They had some refreshments there, which helped since I had not eaten since lunch.  As I ate and people introduced themselves, more people arrived and by the start of the meeting we had about 25 people.  They had a portable dvd player with some pics from the PFLAG parade and group booth from this years PRIDE festival.

http://www.pflagcleveland.org/

One the first questions the head of the group asked was if there was anyone new there tonight, and I could feel all eyes turn towards me, like I was pulling the room towards me.  I sheepishly raised my hand.  We then went around the room introducing ourselves, luckily not starting with me, and it was refreshing to hear who or what had brought the people here.  Everyone was pretty much older than me, but I didn’t mind.  I got to tell them about 20’s Together and about myself and my relationship with my mother.  It’s nice to have another support system for myself.  They’re having a picnic this Sunday and I would like to go, but I’m not sure what I’m doing that day.

Most of the meeting consisted of us going around the room and introducing/giving updates about our lives and friends/relatives.  Some funny and sad stories were told and it was nice to hear others experiences.  At the end the leader asked what my impressions of the meeting were in front of everyone and I just came up with some answer.  There was one woman, Gale, who found out where I lived and was nice enough to give me a ride home.  So all in all the food was awesome, people were nice, and I will be going back next month if I can.

Talked to brother on the phone the other day and I still need to write back to him.  My friend Katie’s birthday is coming up so I don’t know what we’ll be doing for that.  The Harry Potter mania is growing as the movie and book are coming out around the same time.  I can’t wait to read the last book and see the movie of the 5th book.

OH!  I forgot to say that my party location has changed.  I was first going to have it at the castle at Mike’s Place in Akron, but they are now changing that into a bar.  That made me drive to Lorain this past Sunday and check out El Castillo Grande, a Mexican restaurant that’s also a castle.  I had lunch and spoke to one of the co-owners about having my party there and we agreed and it’s all set up!

http://www.elcastillogrande.com/

Well, my break is about over.  Hope you all are well.  I’ll let you know when Nashville pics are up as well.