I promised you something special to celebrate the end of my 3rd year, in fact as it's a leap year it's 3 years plus one day. I hope you will listen to my sad and very happy story.
They say behind every clown or comedian is a sad story, well I really came under this category for the first half of my life. I was fighting against everything my brain was telling me from a very early age, unable to discuss what was wrong even though my outer appearance was a happy go lucky person. I did everything you could think of to prove to myself that I was OK, endurance sports including rugby and rock climbing.
Finally the stress was making me very ill and I had to seek help and become my real self. My journey started 26 years ago, counseling and living as Heather. Changing jobs and going through surgery. I became a person that was wanted for lectures, radio and TV. How many of you have been in Bella magazine.
Meanwhile I became a successful business women traveling to various places like America, Canada and all over Europe, nobody knew, which was probably a good thing in Texas and Calgary. I have helped others to understand with talks and have had many wonderful letters thanking me for changing peoples attitudes, again If I can make others laugh and smile my life's complete.
I promised you a surprise, now I would like to see your response, will I be unfollowed by some. All I ask is that if any of my 365 friends who are on Facebook etc. please DO NOT share this. Thanks
I've always referred to you (to my husband) as "my friend in England, Lady Magpie". Nothing has changed, except increased admiration for you in having to deal with this struggle. Happy Third Year, Heather!
@featherstone Thank you Sue, it's been rewarding and no struggle for 25 years, still living in the same village for 30 years and the villagers are fantastic.
Nice of you Heather to be so open and trusting with us to share this ..good for you ! and knowing some one who has gone through your life experience helps us to gain experience and understanding also as in so many things in life. Glad to be your friend great pictures !
@philcameron59 Thank you Phil, you have been a good friend with my family research, glad I didn't shock you. I have learnt in life that if you are open and truthful, life is so much easier.
Well Lady Magpie please do not take offence or afence (cause the cows might get out) but I am about to unfollow you as Lady Magpie and then follow you as Heather Cook, may seem silly to some but I have to do it.....Here`s wishing in your 4th 365 year and in the outside world that good health and good luck walk by your side.
Congratulations to you for having the courage to air your personal life so honestly.. You have my deepest respect. I am happy that you have been able to live happily in the second half of your life. To me, you are the same person today as you were yesterday, you are the person who makes me smile on a daily basis.
I think you're awesome... yesterday and today! Nothing changes. Life is too short to be unhappy. I respect and commend your decision to be yourself! Great collage!
I shan't unfollow you, it matters not a jot to me so long as you are happy, and you so seem to be. Well done for telling us. Like your photo's....they are interesting :)
This is such a lovely warm community of people that I am sure nobody would unfollow you and I am glad that you have had the courage to share this with us. Being able to help other people who may have been going through the same feelings as yourself is a wonderful way to live your life. I admire you and am so glad that I am your friend on here as you always manage to make me smile and often find myself laughing very loudly at some of the things you share with us. Well done you and a Fav for your collage and courage.
@rosiekind Thank you Rosie, I always look forward to your pictures of birds and flowers. If life for some humans could be so easy. I appreciate you as a friend and your lovely comments.
Wonderful story - I admire your courage. My cousin has been through exactly the same and I know how emotional and difficult it can be. I think everyone has a right to be themselves and to live their individual lives in the way that will make them happiest and I am delighted that you have found the life that is right for you. I love your photos & your stories, you are warm, friendly person and I will follow you through your 4th year with great pleasure and anticipation. Be happy!
@dorsethelen Thank you for such lovely words, your Cousin will understand that the decision isn't taking lightly and although your life improves you also have to think about what you have lost as well. Partnership being the hardest, fortunately my family have been fantastic.
If i could condense all of the above and roll them into my personal comment you would know my feelings. You have no idea how much I admire you. Thank you for sharing your life. Super collage!
What an amazing journey you've had. Thank you for sharing. I now count you as one of my most courageous friends. I don't believe anyone in this community would unfollow you, but if they should, it would be their loss.
As always, I look forward to another year of your wonderful photos and stories
@essiesue Than you Sue, there are so many stories to tell in my life, mostly funny and involving men that didn't have a clue. Think about it, I've looked in from both sides.
Heather, congratulations on reaching the end of your third 365 year! I admire the way you have presented us with the struggles you have faced, very sensitive with the collage and the apt title to your story. And I absolutely respect your decision to be yourself and am in awe of your courage to follow it through.
@linnypinny Lin you have become a special friend to me on 365, probable as we have a similar sense of humour. I'm glad that I make you laugh and smile, that's what life should be full off.
@quietpurplehaze Thank you Hazel, as I have said it took many year to reach a decision. Imagine how difficult it is to tell your family that you are emigration, well in a way it's even more difficult to tell your family what you are about to do.
Dear Heather,
I agree with all the above. Wish I could tell you (in better than high school English) how I admire you. Thanks for sharing the story of your life and many thanks for being such a good friend on 365. Congrats on completing year 3! You deserve a big FAV and virtual hugs!
Very brave, Heather, a wonderful transformation and a great life story. I admire your bravery and honesty, can't imagine how difficult life has been for you at times, but hope that is all behind you now
Congrats on completing year three, looking forward to year 4.Have to Fav this great collage of your life. 😂
I cannot imagine why anyone would want to unfollow you and miss out on your fantastic sense of humour and interesting take on life. I always look forward to your photo, story and also your comments on my efforts.
Congratulations on completing year 3. Fav.
@gijsje Thank you Bep, your school English is excellent. You have become a good friend and I have enjoyed my time working now and then in Holland before retiring. Schiphol Airport seem to welcome me often.
@carolmw Thank you Carol, I always look forward to your pictures. Looks like it's onwards to year 4 for me know, I wonder what stories I will come across. Thanks for being a friend.
@woofandweft1 Thank you Deborah, I'm glad I amuse people, it's what I try to do and make everyone happy around here as well. I even get the people on the supermarket checkouts laughing, when the ask for the money I say can't I entertain you instead.
Fabulous collage and thanks for sharing. I am so pleased that you are able to follow your own path and be true to yourself. You are such an inspiration.
Congratulations on three years of 365 too. Look forward to year 4.
A life-affirming story of courage and fidelity to your true self! My best to you as you continue your journey with the 365 community. I have discovered so many remarkable and amazing people here.
So pleased you felt able to share this with us Heather and so glad you turned your life round and found happiness. It is wonderful that you have been prepared and able to help and be an inspiration to others. Congratulations on your courage and on completing your third year. I'm proud to be your friend.
@congaree Thank you John, you have been one of my longest friends here on 365 and I love the views you give us of your appreciation. Thank you for your kind words.
"I've looked at life from both sides now" Puts a whole new meaning on this song and I think it is amazing, courageous, and wonderful :) And it certainly doesn't change a thing from this Aussie who appreciates your Pommy humour :) Fav
@gilbertwood Thank you Denise, I was worried you would miss this. You have been a wonderful Aussie friend to me, probably realise that it's to far for me to come and annoy you. I have always been open and honest which has made me so successful in my second half of life. Thank you again from this Pommy. (Bet you have hundreds of questions going on in your head). I'm on Facebook so you could PM. me
We never know another person's pain unless it is shared. You are very brave and courageous woman who is my friend across the pond! Even though you blast me at words!!!
Thank you for sharing your remarkable story. Congratulations on completing your third year and I look forward to seeing more shots from your fourth year !
@ribbet9 Thank you Candace, you have been a very good friend over the pond - certainly don't intend to blast you and I'm sure your time will come. I use it to keep the old grey matter working.
@thresheg Thank you Graham, you are the longest friend I have on the 365 and I appreciated your photography work. I know we have a mutual friend and am surprised you hadn't mention you might have known. 4th year here I come.
Wow what an incredible life's story and who are we to judge your pain and your life's struggle for your true self. I can't even begin to imagine what you've been through but it's wonderful to hear you are truly happy. Putting up this collage took a tremendous amount of courage, you are a brave woman, Heather. As for whether or not to still follow you, that doesn't change for me. You have offered words of encouragement and kindness to my daughter and myself as we all struggle with severe pain and of course like many others, made me laugh. Congratulations on completing yout third year and I look forward to following you through your fourth year and I go through my first year. Thanx Heather for being my new 365 friend across the pond.
@juleshoogstraanderson Thank you Jules, such wonderful kind words and I really appreciate them as we have not been following each other for long. I did say I would put a smile in your day now and then.
Hiya Heather, missed this yesterday as spending too much time on getting my photo right and then catching up with comments later! But, I still blame you for doing the project in the first place from your entries on our local district FB. I was selfishly hoping you would continue as 365er as I've only just started displaying my likes and life here and it's good to have your support in the background. My offer to meet you at the Purton Hulks still stands as photographer and friend, just say and I will send you a private message on FB.
@ladymagpie I'm pleased I didn't miss it either! When i go missing for a few days, I usually quickly scroll through all photos and rarely open any of them - BUT I always open yours as there is always a good story :) And listen, Australia isn't that far away - you're welcome to visit me remember! As for lots of questions well I don't have them. i appreciate people for who they are and I learnt a lot about life in 2013 - if you read my blurb on here I started 365 after after a life changing disaster. I never went into what it was, but in a nut shell I found that my husband had sent us bankrupt and I lost everything! Then his pressure on me to to help him emotionally through it was too much to bear so after 40 years of marriage I had to walk out or end up in ward 9 (mental health ward) With my children's support and my family and friends around me I started to improve. Then with the terminal illness diagnosis of my brother and friend, I took a whole new look on life - I am still here with nothing, but I have my life! They were my inspiration to get through my traumas. So I love life, fun people, a joke, a laugh, an appreciation of everything around me and the occasional champagne :) Sorry I've just written a chapter, not a nutshell :) And yes I'll find you on FB, but haven't gone there yet as I try to catch up here! Have a great day - the sun is shining and the birds are singing - and would you believe it was a magpie as I wrote that! And keep up the great stories - that's why I started following you years ago - I love my morning smiles and laughs :) Chapter 2 tomorrow!
@dizzyd Thank you Helen for your kind words, I've been pleasantly surprised at the response from all you wonderful 365ers, for this reason my 4th year has started.
Heather, you are a remarkable person, and you have been through hell and back and come out smiling and laughing. Congratulations and well done. We are all very proud of you, for what you have achieved. Well done.
still love your stories and photos, you are a true inspiration
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Wow, just read this and now I am a follower x There is a guy at work, currently called Matt, who is transitioning to a girl named Tasmin and he has lived 49 years of his life so sadly and we are thrilled he has told us what is going to happen so we can support him. Thank you for your story Heather
Once in awhile I come back on 365 as I miss looking a people's images. I just saw this post and I want to thank you for being honest and telling us of your transition. You have not lost me as a 365 person and glad I'm your friend on Facebook and I will not share this on Facebook. It is not my news to share anyway...only yours. I want to tell you how much I enjoy all your stories about your photographs. You are a great writer and seem to have a great sense of humor.
April 24th, 2016
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Happy third 365 yr and many more.
As always, I look forward to another year of your wonderful photos and stories
I agree with all the above. Wish I could tell you (in better than high school English) how I admire you. Thanks for sharing the story of your life and many thanks for being such a good friend on 365. Congrats on completing year 3! You deserve a big FAV and virtual hugs!
Congrats on completing year three, looking forward to year 4.Have to Fav this great collage of your life. 😂
Congratulations on completing year 3. Fav.
Congratulations on three years of 365 too. Look forward to year 4.
still love your stories and photos, you are a true inspiration
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