I had a good time, I spoke too much and too long- what's new, I danced , I cried, I embraced the people who hold me together to enable me to live the life I choose and to do the work I love. I hope you will buy my book, just because I know how valuable it can be for your ageing process. Now begins my fun of becoming an ageing evangelist, creating platforms where I can "preach" the word

I am quite exhausted tonight , what with Woman's Day and a book launch  in one week and somewhere in between lecturing and consulting, I presented a paper at the Psychology Association of South Africa's annual meeting. I applaud Carien Lubbe and Juan Nel who initiated a stream into the conference on LGBTI - can you imagine a psychology conference where there is no presentation on sexuality or relationships?? I was somewhat disturbed and wonder why there is no new research being done /presented by psychologists on relationships and sexuality. Papers in our stream included  gay men and women parenting, adopting, raising children. How wonderful that we have a  constitution that allows these "new" families to emerge. I am sure you will see interesting families emerge from your own children - no more white picket fences and mom in the kitchen and dad in the garage.

Talking about gender roles, my paper was an introduction to Transgender- As a board member of Genderdynamix(www.genderdynamix.org.za) I am privileged to be involved in this world. As a practitioner I get to work directly with people who are "gender non conforming". I am forever in fascination and deep deep empathy for people in transition, in  doubt, and of course their partners and families. When I hear a man tell me he stands in front of his mirror, knife in hand, and longs to cut off his penis as actually is a woman trapped in this male body, I weep for the pain of this person. Interestingly research shows the high number of people who  come out the gender closet once their nest empties. Call Genderdynamix if you want to chat..

Look out for new initiative that begins this Wednesday - watch this space...

Have a wonderful weekend - I plan to be in fascination..