Earlier, I was speaking to someone close to my children and me, and has been with us every step of the way through my divorce and my ex husband's conviction. She asked me how I feel about transgender people. I gave her my completely honest answer - I love all people unless they give me a reason not to love them, and even then I do not wish any ill will on them; I go about my life as before and I hope they can do the same. I hear constantly about my acceptance of all people -gays, transgenders, blacks, whites, Muslims, Hundus, everyone - and it's never good, what people say to me about my unwavering acceptance and genuine love of everyone. "You'll learn one day...", "You're opening yourself up to hurt"...I've learned a lot, and maybe I am opening myself up to hurt. But I also see I am opening myself up to so much more. Tonight, this young woman told me she is transitioning - she started hormones to become a man. I have loved her as a young woman, and I absolutely will continue to love her as a young man (no, I have no romantic or sexual interest in this young person). But her own mother is jumping up and down, stark raving  mad, the-world-is-ending upset that she is transitioning and refuses to accept her child as being a person trapped in the wrong body. My heart is broken for this young woman. But for the first time ever, tonight, my unconditional love for all people was appreciated. This young woman said she wished I was her mother (at my age considering her age, it would have been impossible but there's never been harm in wishing). In my history, I never had anyone to go to for love and support when I needed someone. I know how it feels to be unloved and unaccepted by someone who should love you unconditionally - by my own mother. Knowing how that feels, I will never allow another human being to feel that way if I can help it. So my answer to those who tell me I'll learn, or I'm setting myself up to get hurt - maybe I am, but it's my choice to make,and I will never allow another human being to feel unaccepted or unloved if I can help it. If more people would open themselves up to love everyone, despite their race, gender, orientation, nationality, or religion, this world would be a much better place to live in. And for the record, I am a straight, Irish and Native American woman, who subscribes more to Shamanism than any other religion.