I received a call last week from a man named Brent Bolding. A friend who is a therapist specializing in gender identity work referred him to me.

Brent is the father of three kids: Eleanor, Carson and Spencer. As the three siblings would get ready for their day, Brent tells me he would encourage them by saying, “It’s OK to be extraordinary!”

I like that.

I think aspiring to greatness gets a bad rap. Notice, too, it wasn’t an ultimatum, like, “You better be extraordinary, or else!” He was simply telling them it is OK. Seek it. Look for opportunities to be extraordinary.

Eleanor was planning on getting a degree in film after graduating high school. But plans change; dreams go unfulfilled.

Eleanor tragically took her own life last May at the age of 17.

Eleanor was a transgender girl.

I don’t know the specifics, and I don’t want or need to know. I know everything I need to know: that being transgender is hard. It’s not a fad; transition isn’t something we take lightly.

As a parent, I could hear the heartache and sense of loss in Brent’s voice. But there was something there else, too: Optimism not just in keeping Eleanor’s memory alive, but also in working to help prevent the death of another transgender child.

As a parent and grandparent, the thought of losing any of my children or grandchildren is beyond comprehension. As a parent, you aren’t supposed to bury your children. But it doesn’t always work out that way.

I truly don’t want to distract from the essence of this by interjecting politics, but the fact is, if you are transgender or non-binary in Texas, politics follows you everywhere; to work, to school, even into the bathroom.

It’s always there, and last May was during the Texas legislative session — when some 30-plus anti-LGBTQ bills were filed, and 13 of those were a direct attack on, primarily, transgender youth — there was no where you could escape the oppressive transphobia.

The Trevor Hotline reported a 150 percent increase in calls from transgender kids during the legislative session. Clearly, even having lawmakers insist on debating of these bills is harmful, whether they pass or not. And seeing them passed is even more heartbreaking.

This is why we fight against this kind of state sponsored hatred so vigorously.

Eleanor’s dad, Brent, has created a foundation called OK2BX to honor Eleanor’s memory. As the website explains: “The mission of the OK2BX Foundation is to support and advocate for inclusivity. ‘OK2BX’ stands for ‘It’s Okay to Be Extraordinary,’ and the belief behind OK2BX is that all of the little things a person does each day to promote inclusivity will ultimately make for one extraordinary life — and one beautiful world.”

“She made an impact on so many people,” the website continues, explaining who Eleanor was. “She cared what people thought and how they fit in.

She had a habit of ‘calling people in’ instead of ‘calling them out,’ when she didn’t agree with their view. She made people feel included and comfortable, and she was considered a best friend by many. Our hope is that the foundation will carry on her legacy of inclusivity.”

One way OK2BX is doing that is through a scholarship award. Another is by honoring Eleanor’s love of film by hosting a film festival.

For Eleanor, a great night meant sitting with a bunch of friends watching films. Folks of all sorts could come together, share the experience and find common ground in the experience.

So in honor of Eleanor, the foundation is launching the OK2BX Film Festival. OK2BX Film is dedicated to Eleanor’s core belief that we can come together and find more about us that is alike, rather than focusing on the things that keep us apart.

The film festival is being held April 23 at the historic Texas Theater. If you want information on how you can submit a film or see the judging criteria, please visit the website at ok2bx.org/ok2bxfilm. There are several categories, even one for films shot with a smart phone.

If you, or anyone you know is hurting and needs to talk to someone, call the Trevor Hotline at 1-866-488-7386. You can be anonymous and share as much or as little as you want. You won’t be judged.

Brent, I admire your optimism and positivity in the face of unimaginable loss. To turn tears and heartache into something beautiful is an act of love. I know Eleanor would approve. I just ache that she can’t be there to welcome everyone, though, in a sense, she surely will be.

Leslie McMurray is a transgender woman who serves as the Transgender Education and Advocacy Associate for Resource Center. Her email is: LMcMurray@MyResourceCenter.org