TRUTH

 

SALUTING OUR VETERANS

 

BEAUTY & LIFE

 

LITTLE MIRACLES

 

REMEDY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Having a viewpoint about something is one thing. Why one believes the way they do is another Be sure that you have facts to back up whatever that viewpoint is. 

POSITIVE OUTCOME

 

BE THANKFUL EVERY DAY

 

LIVING OPENLY

As you may have noticed, I am posting quotes about gratitude for the mont of November. There is much to be thankful for. As a trans person I am greatful that I can live life openly. 

Thanksgiving is coming soon. At one time, it was a festive celebration with family and friends. Stores were closed. No work. Just a day to be joyful. Some of that festive spirit has been lost. After Halloween. events shift to Christmas. Thanksgiving is conveniently bypassed, perhaps because there isn't a financial incentive. for businesses. To me, Thanksgiving  is the time to thank God for the goodness bestowed  on America.

Be thankful for what America has. A lot of place wish they have the freedom we enjoy.

GIVING THANKS

 

THANKFUL ALWAYS

 

TRANSFORMATION

 

GOOD MEDICINE

 

NOVEMBER

 

GRATITUDE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

LIVING LIFE

When I came out and accepted my trans identity, my goal wasn't to pass or but to live my life. I help other transvpeople anyway that I can. I enjoy simple pleasures with my spouse. Going to dinner, having coffee out, or visiting a museum.  I go about my life in a quiet manner. I seek neither attention or fame. Seeing others succeed gives me great pleasure.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

HIS CHILD

It is amazing that many people are attacking trans people both verbally and, in some cases, physically. I read where some 'Christians' say we are mentally ill. 

When I read  scripture it seems that Jesus had no problem with it (Matthew 19:10-12). I am a Christian who happens to be trans. I was affirmed and con- firmed by God that I was his child almost two decades ago. 

I did not choose to be trans. It was God's plan for me to be part of a group of people who are vilified and ignored. God loves transgender people. I want to share God's to my trans sisters and brothers.

LEMON WISDOM

 

This is one of my favorite quotes. It's turning a bad situation into something wonderful.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

TRANS ICON HAS PASSED

 

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, trans activist and icon has passed.

COMMENTARY

Coming out is not a one-time occurence. Every time I leave my home and go out on the street, I am out to someone who may have not seen me before. Coming out is not always verbal; it's me living life on my own terms.

I am rarely asked if I am trans but am open to sharing to people who are interested. The rea)ity oc my life is that I'm always coming out, and that's something I accept.

COMING OUT DAY

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

TRAILS

 

I was always fascinated by trails wondering where it would take me. My life has been a trail of meandering journeys bringing me to some unique places. 

DIALOGUE

I believe that many people want to have dialogue regardless of their

political affiliation. Dialogue is good where ideas are presented and fleshed out. Liberals and conservatives, I believe, desire the same solutions. It is a matter of how they want to go about it. I'm against the extremes of anything. If folks can check their egos and listen to what the other side is saying, then resolution can come. Everyone will benefit from it.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

OCTOBER GREETINGS

 

DON'T BE OVERWHELMED

I read a lot of news every day. There's much going on in the world. I don't get overwhelmed by all that is happening. Living in anxiety and fear is something I won't do.

It's important that I keep up with goings on in the world. If I can he.p out I will do that. I want to be part of the solution. I was affected by the Charlie Kirk murder. There are a number of subjects I'm interested and concerned about. 

If it becomes too much,  I pull back and reflectabout what I 📚 read. It's okay to take a break. It's self care.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

REST

The change of seasons reminds me of my transition. There's the seed that's planted in me. Then there's the struggle to see the light of day. When self acceptance comes, then I blossom like the tulips in spring. 

During the summer I spread my wings living life in my new identity. Fall winds comes. The leaves change colors. The farmers gather the harvest. Respite is fast approaching.

Autumn is the time I can reminisce over what has happened in my life. It's time to rest, to enjoy the fruit of authenticity.

AUTUMN

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

BE RESPECTFUL

 Cheering about someone's demise is inhumane and not Christian like. 

COMMENTARY- CHARLIE KIRK

I have been watching Charlie Kirk's videos for about a year. I didn't agree on some of his positions but he stood up for what he believed in: God, family, faith, and America. 

He engaged with people who did not share his worldview. Some of the interaction were tense, but Charlie remained calm. He never ran down a person's character because he/ she had a different worldview. 

Charlie created Turning Point USA, galvanizing conservative young people in making America truly the land of freedom. They had a voice to be who they were without being shouted down, censored, or threatened. Charlie was engaging, answered questions with facts and data to back up his beliefs. He got people to think more about their positions on whatever they had. 

What I liked most about Charlie Kirk was that he engaged folks whatever their worldview. He saw that engaging people with different views of the world could lead to resolutions of the ills in the country.

Like Charlie, I am a Christian. We differ on LGBTQ rights, but he was my brother in Christ. I am not conservative but I believe he and I could be friends. 

His assassination really shook me. Is this what America is becoming? Cheering someone's death is inhumane. America needs a spiritual awakening. I'm thankful to Charlie for showing that, despite differences, a civil discourse is possible.

REST IN PEACE, CHARLIE. You are with the Lord now.

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

REMEMBRANCE

 

ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL

 

This church was directly across the street from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Miraculously, the chapel suffered no damage after the towers came down. The chapel became a waystation for weary firefighters, first responders, and volunteers. 

EXPERIENCE: A VALUABLE TEACHER

Each person has a life journey only they can travel. The journey may or may be of one's choosing. Mine was the latter. 

There were things I had no control over. There was disappointments, heartaches, and disgust. There were lessons I needed to learn. Roads I needed trod. Experiences I needed to be a part of. 

COMMENTARY

Like many Americans, we wonder what has happened to our country. My LGBTQ friends discussed this recently at great length. We love America and will do anything to make it better. 

I don't ever remember when diverse groups of people could not be civil despite opposing viewpoints. Things have gotten so tribal. Families and friendships have been severed because each person(s) may hold a contrary viewpoint. Is this what America has come to?

Despite what society may feel about me as trans person, I love America. Served in the military for three years. I stand for the pledge of allegiance. I listen to other people's viewpoints. Though we may differ. I want the best for them. I'm sure this what Americans want. 

It's time for the leaders to do what is best for the citizens of this great republic. It would sad if relativism and tribal warfare break up the country. I pray that it never happens.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

KIND OF AMAZED

I am still amazed that, after the visibility of trans folks, many still cannot wrap their minds about who we are.

IT'S HERE!

 

NUMBER NINE

 

REFLECTION

 

HONORING THE WORKFORCE

 

SALUTE TO LABOR

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

MOST HOLY REDEEMER CHURCH- RECONCILIATION

 

This is the place where I reconciled my Christian faith and my being transgender. 

A few months earlier, I entered a church in women's clothing for the first time. Later the same year, I came here to meditate and pray. I was urged by the Holy Spirit to express what was on my heart. I confessed that I was transgender and liked wearing women's clothes. Like a mother embracing her child, God embraced me as his trans child. 

Like the previous experience, I felt no guilt or shame. God was interested what was on my heart, not what I was wearing. I share this because some of you may come from a religious background. You may have been told that God hates you, but that is not true. He loves you and has a plan for your life.

KEEP GOING

 

Trains were a primary mode of travel at one time. Riding on those steel rails brought folks to new destinations. I enjoy looking down the tracks wondering what is on the horizon. 

The tracks remind me of my own journey navigating the world of gender identity. I have been challenged by new places and people. There have been time I questioned if I was going in the right direction. Surveying the barreness of my previous life, I had no choice but to keep traveling.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

ENJOY YOUR LIFE

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

ON OUR OWN

With the anti-trans rhetoric ramping up, it seems that some organizations have abandoned us. Seems that we are on our own now.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

QUOTE

 

POEM

 Someone may need this today

YOU MATTER

The forgotten

The lonely

The suicidal

The folks who society has cast aside.

God hasn't forgotten you

And neither have I

You matter!

People 💑 love you

Don't give or quit.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

NUMBER EIGHT

 

SPIRTUAL AFFIRMATION

It was about this time in 2008 that I first entered a church dressed in women's clothing. At the time, I was trying to reconcile my Christian faith with my being transgender. 

I came here one day to pray and meditate. I had forgotten that there was a midday service, so I decided to stay. During the passing of the peace, people acknowledged me as a part of Christ's community. There were no disparaging looks or comments. 

Whe I entered the church, it felt right. I was affirming myself as a transgender woman. This act of confession would lead to an epiphany that would happen a few months later.

Holy Cross Church is in the Times Square area of New York City. It's amazing that God would lead me to a place in a area were vice came easy and cheap. It showed me that good things can happen in unusual places. This church holds a special in my heart ❤ . My journey could have turned out different if I hadn't come here on that summer day.

TWENTY YEARS YOUNG

Today, I celebrate twenty years as Genevieve. It has been a strange and wonderful journey. I wouldn't change a thing.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

A POINT TO REMEMBER

The LGBTQIA+ is not a monolithic voting bloc. There are numerous political persuasions.