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What a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. And your photo! Wow, you're beautiful! Good for you. Like Christie said I hope we hear a lot more from you. Hugs, Emma

That's wonderful! Finding a good support group is a great thing, and to connect with someone from your past through it must be especially nice. So much of this can feel (and I say this as a "newbie," but I'm already getting the impression) like you're leaving so much behind, that to actually connect with someone from the past through it has to feel a little stabilizing (maybe a different adjective?). Like you I have a number of friends who know what I'm starting here, but none are transgender and I think that would be a great presence in my life right now. Best of luck! I look forward to hearing more about your journey :-) xoxo Christie

Unfortunately, the anxiety for me is high each time I leave the house. It feels like I am in crisis mode all of the time until my body gives up at the end of the day. This is a precarious time for me. This is something I need to address immediately.

That was amazing. I would have to say, lately some amazing things have been happening to me as well. People have been going out of their way to be nice and helpful, or just to talk with me. It really has been great.

Hi Christie, Have a great weekend, unplugged! I also have trouble letting go of my iPhone. My wife kindly reminds me, from time to time... :-) Mountains and valleys is a good metaphor for the journey. Sometimes it feels like a slog, and other times a stroll through a flowery meadow. I also don't know where I'll end up. But regardless, I also very much appreciate friends and compatriots like you. Hugs, Emma

Oh Emma, you definitely need to find and watch Futurama! It's one of the greatest all-time animated series, and (in my opinion) Bender was the best part of it!

Dear Lisa, I can only imagine what you're going through, but it's so great and inspiring that you're carrying through! I've gone on the PATH train (a "subway" that links Jersey City and NYC) as a woman, so I do have some idea of how that is, but obviously in those cases I was just cross-dressing for the evening, it wasn't at all what you were doing, so congrats on taking that big step! Hopefully you'll find that each time you do it the anxiety level drops a little, or that through therapy and medication you can successfully address it. Christie

Dear Lisa, I'm so happy to hear that things are going well for you. It's a long and winding road, with many detours, but you're finding your way. I can certainly understand your anxiety. I think it's only natural that you'd feel that way. A suggestion would be to try to take a deep breath, slow down, and try to focus only on the next hour, maybe the next day. Watch a sunset (or sunrise), have a coffee or tea, and bask in the knowledge that you are making steady and courageous progress. Hugs, Emma

The book basically confirmed for me that I needed to transition. Those sections that you mentioned were the deciding factor for me. I am glad it helped you as well. Always remember that this is your life and your journey. The decision to start transition, for me, really was and has been a "last option". If you do decide to do anything, think about what you want and need and don't let others pressure you in anything. This is about you and your needs. Not some standard or strict definition of gender.

LOL! I'll try to remember BMSMA (bite my shiny metal ass). That brings up some images that I'd better not share... I'd never even heard of Bender, but just looked him up. Thank goodness for Wikipedia. Looks like a cool robot. Man, I'm so OUT of it! Take care girls! Stay sweet! You all rock like CRAZY, you know? At least for me you do. Thanks so much for all your support and kind wishes. :-)

Interestingly, she has not talked to me further about it although yesterday I reached out to her via email to see if maybe she might need someone to share with. After all, it appeared to me that she was shaken up too, but maybe I was mistaken. This morning I had a one-on-one with my "regular therapist." I told him that I didn't feel that Susan's comment that I should try to get over it, and that Pamela isn't important in my life, isn't especially helpful. Interpreted in the worst way (which I don't believe she intended) it's kind of dismissive. I expect that this will be (or should be) a topic of conversation at our next group meeting, which is unfortunately four weeks from now. Not to talk about Pamela (she won't be back until August) but, I think, to hear about what was going on for Susan, and how we might have better handled the situation. No doubt it will happen again, somewhere, someplace. For me I need to try to remember that something as simple as "I don't appreciate being talked to in that way" is probably a great tool for me to keep handy on my Sam Browne. (Now, we'll see who of you know what I'm referring to!)