Born breached, alcoholic, drug addicted, and transgendered, the first steps out of my mother's womb were the beginning of a world full of guilt, shame, anxiety, anger, fear, and pride, all of which had to be overcome in order to live a life of serenity. It took fifty-three years to approach these challenges as each step was very painful. However, on the other side of the pain came joy, peace, and happiness. It's a never-ending process but one of great fulfillment. I could have chosen the easy way out and continued with my alcohol and drug use, never disclosing that I was born female living in the body of a man, living life as a lie. But the painstaking steps have allowed the misery to slowly release as I became willing to speak the truths buried so deeply within.