and still the lilies bloomed.

The article, "and still the lilies bloomed," is a personal reflection on the author's experience of a house fire that destroyed their grandparents' home. The author discusses the challenges they faced during the crisis, including being misgendered and not having access to their hormone replacement therapy. Despite these difficulties, the author finds comfort in the support of their family and community. The article also touches on the author's recent trip to Singapore, where they felt affirmed in their gender identity. Overall, the text explores the author's emotional journey of self-discovery and resilience in the face of adversity. [Extracted from the article]