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

Feb 9: My male bestie and non-boyfriend W., whom I adore, said he’d do a strip for Mike if it wouldn’t kill him. No matter what I am, neither of these guys are ‘for me’.


2/11, Thursday: Today I woke up strong. It was almost like a birthday. It went up to 70 degrees out, it’s Michigan, incredible! I made some decisions, took a nap, and this; I won’t ever again be anyone but myself.


2/14, Sun: My friend Mike, still in the hospital, gave me a rose, and I met Androgene on line. S/he wrote, “We are kin.” This is the person who later steered me to ElderTG, where I met Robyn


3/03: Wed: Learned I do have glaucoma. My exam showed that half the nerve fibers of my eyes are gone; that’s a LOT of damage. The drops lowered the pressure from 16 to 11. I went to see Mike at the hospital and cried on his shoulder. He was wonderful, especially considering the seriousness of his own condition. I fear going blind…as a little kid that was one of my biggest fears, always


Chapter 42