GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Life is too short to be bickering over perceived slights. Find some common ground and say someone positive about that person.

BEING VISIBLE AND VIBRANT

This past Friday, I was out in public dressed in a light blue flower print skirt, blue flats and light blue pullover. I was out to the public by my actions. It's second nature for me to be this way because it is who I am. Last week I was out four consecutive days (Friday thru Monday) dressed as Genevieve.

It is at the point in my life that I must be myself. I can't dress every day because of other obligations. It doesn't change who I am inside. With the many issues concerning trangender folks coming up, it is important for us to be visible to the public if they are going to take us seriously. I have been in a church service, restaurant, stores, the park, and public transportation quite visible to others.

Another concern of mine is how institutions, particularly religious institutions, will handle LGBT concerns. I am a born again Christian who is also transgender. A few denominations are wrestling with whether or not GLBT men and women should be ordained and GLBT worshippers welcomed and affirmed in their congregations. For the church and ministers to treat GLBT people with contempt and disdain is a stench in God's nostrils.

I mentioned earlier that I did attend a church service. It happened last Friday and was unexpected. I came earlier to rest and pray for friends. I noticed two candles lit on each side of the altar. Soon the pipe organ played and the priest came out (it was a Catholic church). They were a many worshippers in attendance for this noon day service. No one paid any attention to me. I acknowledged some nods during one point during acknowledgement of peace. I was very happy to have attended. God didn't reject me. He doesn't reject anyone.

I will be out much more and will talk to more folks. I'm not ashamed of who I am and don't feel guilty at all about wearing women's clothing. Transgender people are speaking up and becoming more visible. It's time.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Take time to thank God for all good things He has bestowed upon you during the day.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Respect each person for who they are.
Encourage them when they're down.
Rejoice with them when they succeed.
Be there when they need you.

Creative in My Darkest Hours

It's been said that some of the greatest feats came during moments of duress. The apostle Paul wrote many of hte epistles from a prison cell. George Washington's leadership came through though his army was beaten and undermanned.

My darkest hours were during the summer of 2004. I recently reread some of the poetry I had written at that time. The dozen or so pieces written spoke of abandonment, darkness and despair. I felt as if I was descending into an abyss not of my choosing. I spoke of leaving everything I knew for a life of celibacy and abandonment. What was so unsettling was the fact that I did not know what I was wrestling with.

I look at these poems and see the depths of my struggle to discover what I was fighting against. I posted a poem called 'Urges' back in June which highlight a pull into a world that I knew nothing about. The bottom came when I felt that I was looking up at the bottom of my dark abyss.

Out of this dark time I learned some valuble lessons. The first is that when your down, you can quit and give up or continue to fight. Second, write down what you are feeling and experiencing. Don't hold back! I wrote for hours on end until I was emptied of all my frustrations and fears.
Third, I was able to reach deep within the depths of my soul and lay everything bare. This was barrier that I had long sought to overcome. I believe that it was the first time in years that I revealed my fears, my vulnerability, and that I needed help. This was critical in my life because a year later, I came out as a crossdresser and transgender woman.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Instead of squawking about what is wrong,
let's sit down and figure out how to correct them.

Busy Week

The past week has been a busy one. It started last Saturday when I attended a tea party in honor of a friend who married his partner in California (l). It was a casual affair, with drinks and finger food. I got the change to wear my new aqua blue blouse.

On Monday I celebrated my 60th birthday. My wife's birthday is the same day. She gave me a birthday mug and 4 pair of pantires. I gave her two floral skirts. We share skirts, blouses, and jewelry. The day before I took her out to dinner. On Tuesday I registered for graduate school online at Ashford University. I will be studying Education and Technology.

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I purchsed a white dress and jacket because I thought the tea party would be a formal affair. Some day I would love to attend a formal affair with hats and gloves. I also purchased a purple cami and green blouse. I have been out quite a bit, but tomorrow will be a day of rest.

Genevieve

Completed

It was this time two years that felt totally content and complete as a transgender woman. I was walking in the park that day and an overwhelming sense of peace filled my heart.

During the first year I was getting comfortable with being transgender. There was much learning, struggle, highs, lows, and amazing discoveries about those who came before me. I wasn't alone and there were many others who walked the path I did. The day was a victory for me in that I could be myself without shame or reservation. This is a period in my life I will always remember.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

When you feel a gentle hand nudging you to continue the journey,
keep going because there's more to see and to experience.