This is the story of how Emery Walters became whom he was supposed to be.<br><br>I knew I was male at an early age, something that was a societal no-no in the 1950s and still is in parts of the country today. Burying my male identity, I strove to be the best woman possible. But after raising my four wonderful children from two debilitating marriages, I found myself alone and nearly penniless. That was when Emery asserted his identity.<br><br>Life became better with the shift from female to male, a third marriage, and a wife who, herself, transitioned from male to female.

Some Fine Day

April 1, 1972: On the way out to dinner, I saw the Easter bunny. He came down the sidewalk and got into a car. As we pulled up next to it, I told the kids to look in the car. And he was just taking off his head! Well, the head of his costume. We’re probably all warped for life now. Although, it is April Fool’s Day…We had an egg hunt today, Amy got a new bike, and Frank and Frankie got new glasses. Busy day for the wallet. We hid 43 eggs. The kids found 42 of them. I have no idea where the last one is.


April 6: Amy came in with her tooth in her hand. I managed to find a dentist and asked Mrs. Marcum to drive us there, and off we went. It was only a baby tooth, due to come out within two years anyway. What a relief that was. She’d been hit in the face with a rock, by a strong little boy. She herself had only thrown mud balls. The tooth fairy left her 50 cents.


April 17: Amy painted me a “Happy Birthday Mom” sign, with stickers on it. Very pretty. It’s on my bedroom wall now.


Chapter 23