This is the Letter I Sent to My Mom

[shelleybear.livejournal.com]

It had four pictures of me from a photo shoot I was a part of.
It's important because while I don't expect her to call me Shelley (she is 92) I feel she'd like to know who I am.


Dear Mom,

Here are a few of the pictures the photographer took of me for her project.
I am very pleased with them and I hope you like them.
I want you to know, that, in my life, I have NEVER been happier or as sure of myself.
One of the things I'd like to tell you (even though I don't expect you to use it) is the name(s) I use for the new person I am.
My first name is Shelley. It chose me. I have no idea why.
I have two middle names.
One is Adrienne. I hope you remember Adrienne. I was living with her for a while and she came to the house a few times. She died of cancer in her 40s, but, she is surely one of two people who would have approved of who I am now more then anyone. I take her name as a tribute.
The second is Mimi. To me, perhaps one of the most wonderful people I have ever know. I love her very much. She also would have thought this was a great thing for me to be doing. However, please, do not tell Ina about this. I am honestly not sure how she would take it.
Anyway, I'll always be Neil to you, and I'm okay with that.
Here are the pictures.
The fourth one I had Barry's girlfriend take of me in an outfit I had bought