It's really difficult to come to terms a parent isn't okay with who you are inside. I can relate to that, personally, even though I was out to my dad and he accepted me. But that acceptance was always a conflict for him. He only managed it with a great deal of work, and he would much rather have not managed it. I always knew he would rather I be somebody different.

I give him a great deal of credit for getting as far as he did, but mourn that he never made it all the way.

Thank you for your heartfelt letter!