| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud 13:25 - Jun 1 with 2547 views | GlasgowBlue |
This isn’t a look at me post but a reflection on my daughter’s incredible journey and the milestones she has achieved.
Some of you may recall that, a few years ago, I shared the difficult situation my youngest daughter Lilly was facing. At just 14, she came out as gay, something she had struggled with telling us for several months. This coincided with the onset of lockdown. Lockdown was tough on a lot of teenagers, but especially for her, as she was completely cut off from her friends and support network at a time when she needed them the most. This led to struggles with her mental health and, heartbreakingly, to self-harming.
During this difficult period, several posters reached out with messages of support, practical advice, and genuine care. Something I remain deeply grateful for.
The years since then have been nothing short of transformative. Lilly has turned her life around so many ways that she is unrecognisable from the depressed and lonely girl who we were frightened to leave in her bedroom on her own. She is now a happy, outgoing teenager with a fantastic social life and a close group of friends.
Unlike the rest of our kids, she chose a different path by leaving school early to work alongside me. Within just six months she was running the place. I saw her go from strength to strength and had no fear running a team of people who were mostly twice her age.
But now she is starting a new chapter in her life and about to embark on a wonderful adventure. Lilly has made the brave decision to move to Australia on her own, with plans to live and travel for a year. Saying goodbye to her today was so hard but with great sadness I have such pride in the independent, confident young woman she has become.
I find it incredible to think that the same troubled girl who once locked herself away from the world is now embracing it with open arms. A big part of our family will be missing but she has to follow her own path. I’m sure she will love every minute of it and at least thanks to modern technology I can see her whenever I want.
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 13:29 - Jun 1 with 2274 views | MJallday |
thats great news GB. sounds like she is now starting to find her own path in life
Being gay (either male or female) is waaaaaaaaaaay more socially accepted now than it ever was when i was growing up in the 80/90s
it sounds like shes going to have a whole new adventure in australia - lucky her! |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 13:30 - Jun 1 with 2259 views | homer_123 |
Sounds like your job as a parent is going well GB.
Good luck to her and well done bud. |  |
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| Well played Lilly… on 13:32 - Jun 1 with 2221 views | Bloots |
…she probably can’t wait to get away from you mate! |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 13:40 - Jun 1 with 2136 views | lowhouseblue |
that's very good. being young and growing up is tough. lots of difficult stuff can be developmental, and, while it may not seem it at the time, more often than not there is light at the end of the tunnel. the confidence to head off on her own as a teen is impressive. |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 13:45 - Jun 1 with 2093 views | Kropotkin123 |
I didn't know any of this, so it is all news to me. I'm glad she was able to turn it around and hope she has a fantastic time in Australia. |  |
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| One of my cats is called Lilly. on 13:56 - Jun 1 with 1994 views | Benters |
| Well played Lilly… on 13:32 - Jun 1 by Bloots |
…she probably can’t wait to get away from you mate! |
Lovely stuff
Fair play Glassers x. |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 14:00 - Jun 1 with 1947 views | giant_stow |
I too missed this, but very glad to read how well things have gone for her. Hope she has a great time over there. |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 14:06 - Jun 1 with 1900 views | bsw72 |
Technically it's a look at her post, quite rightly . . . 
I have a number of good friends in Aus (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) - offer of support there if needed. |  | | |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 14:07 - Jun 1 with 1887 views | Ryorry |
Great kid and great parenting. All the best to her, you and your wife.
Perhaps she’ll invite you out for a whale of a holiday in 6 months’ time! |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 14:08 - Jun 1 with 1882 views | cressi |
Glad Lily is just been Lily and living her best life possible my daughter lives in Brisbane. Health and happiness are the main ingredients in life .
You are and will always be dad and there for them irrespective of age what path they take in any walk of like it's how it should work. |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 14:22 - Jun 1 with 1764 views | urbanblue |
Wonderful stuff. Glassers if I can help Lily in any way with advice or as a contact please get in touch. I live very near Byron Bay where all the backpackers and travellers pass through and stay awhile. So many hospitality jobs always going in the area.
She's going to love it over here. |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 15:01 - Jun 1 with 1625 views | GlasgowBlue |
Thanks everyone. And thanks for the offers of support. She is spending the first month with my cousin and his family in Sydney for the first 4 weeks before she begins her travels so I'll be taking up those offers of advice. | |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 15:08 - Jun 1 with 1596 views | davblue |
Fantastic news!
Glad she has got herself into a place where she can thrive and good on her!
I have a 10 year old with ADHD (not severe) and it's a challenge at time, how to parent him what works and doesn't. It's starting to affect his sport more and more with frustration taking over his cricket and football, getting upset and angry at times, so having to navigate that at the moment.
I always thought parenting would get easier, but it's just a different set of challenges along the way! |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 19:27 - Jun 1 with 1223 views | armchaircritic59 |
Tremendous news, nothing momentous to add except I wish her all the luck in the world. |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 19:39 - Jun 1 with 1167 views | CM7blue |
Great news! I couldn't have put it better myself. My youngest daughter also had severe anxiety and self harmed as a teenager. She has now moved away, albeit only 3 hours from home, and like Lilly she's done really well for herself. You'll always miss your daughter, but being proud of her achievements and seeing her happy makes it worthwhile.
All the best to you and Lilly. |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 19:50 - Jun 1 with 1126 views | runaround |
A beautiful heart warming story with a wonderful happy ending. You are right to be proud of her and however many miles away she is, she’s only a few seconds away by phone or FaceTime |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 19:52 - Jun 1 with 1118 views | BloomBlue |
We all take different paths, all have their challenges, but it's the challenges that define us.
Although Sir Winston probably said it better than me "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts"
Tell her enjoy it, but limit any moaning. Remember it was an Australian who spent 48hours with a Suffolk man who as a result coined the expression; Whinging pom.
We don't want Whinging Glaswegian added to it.  |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 19:54 - Jun 1 with 1100 views | Whos_blue |
That's a cool post Glassers and wonderfully (and I'm sure inadvertent) positive link into Pride month too.
I'm navigating two late teens through life too and am grateful they seem to be doing ok.
Although it was a very long time ago (95), I was privileged to be immersed in the Sydney LGBT scene during the build up to Mardi Gras.
Although straight myself, it instilled a lifelong affinity with that community.
Very safe and very welcoming to all comers.
I'm a bit bemused by the kerfuffle on Badger's thread to be honest but I don't want that silliness to derail this positive thread.
It sounds like an amazing adventure awaits and although her being so far away will be crippling, that is seemingly the downside to parenting!
Good luck to her and rest knowing she'll be living her best life! |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 20:07 - Jun 1 with 1031 views | brogansnose |
So nice to hear a good story.
Blessings on her and all your family Glassers. |  | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 20:15 - Jun 1 with 998 views | vapour_trail |
Great stuff. Well done on helping her through it all and to her for finding her path.
At least you know where you’re holidaying for the next few years. |  |
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| Would say something but don't want to make you log off so.... on 20:29 - Jun 1 with 924 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
N/t x |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 20:53 - Jun 1 with 886 views | Ryorry |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 14:22 - Jun 1 by urbanblue |
Wonderful stuff. Glassers if I can help Lily in any way with advice or as a contact please get in touch. I live very near Byron Bay where all the backpackers and travellers pass through and stay awhile. So many hospitality jobs always going in the area.
She's going to love it over here. |
The lovely TWTD community at its best from yourself and other Aus based posters👍 | |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 21:14 - Jun 1 with 833 views | Mullet |
I’m sure she will have the time of her life mate |  |
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| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 02:03 - Jun 2 with 630 views | IPS_wich |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 15:01 - Jun 1 by GlasgowBlue |
Thanks everyone. And thanks for the offers of support. She is spending the first month with my cousin and his family in Sydney for the first 4 weeks before she begins her travels so I'll be taking up those offers of advice. |
If she's planning on heading to Western Australia (she really should it's beautiful) - I'd be happy to give you a few pointers to pass on to her. | | | |
| Absolutely heartbroken but incredibly proud on 05:13 - Jun 2 with 544 views | Warkystache |
She's making her own way along that road - it's always challenging but she's starting from a great base. I wish her luck with it. I'm sure she won't need luck though. |  |
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