few words and my gratitude for the women in my life

I reentered the workforce full time in my chosen profession of sales and all woman now.  This is a serious challenge but who knew this marine was up to the task.  I was so soft spoken and now , as one friend said, " you are no longer on the sidelines. That is the truth. 

I also will speak again next month and will post my unedited speech in my blog.  I have been given opportunities that others like  myself never get or dream of.  I feel privileged, honored and understand the responsibility that comes with speaking.

I advocate and tell my story in public in very small venues like on the max, bus or in a doctor office or whenever the opportunity present it self.  I also speak in public forums on occasion and understand just how important and the potential impact I can and have had in the past. 

  For when I speak there are times when I will be viewed as representing a entire class of veterans.  No matter how often I give the disclaimer that I do not represent the entire class of veterans the audience who , many of whom, have never seen a transsexual woman except  in the media. Thus, like or not, what I say , how i act and respond or react to the audience will be what the audience takes home and to their work place and beyond.

What separates myself from speakers like me is that I will never educate but I will share my story.  It is my deeply held belief that I learn just as much as I share when I speak.  I am a student of life and on a journey of learning.  I just did not know I could have the impact that I have had over the last year in my life.

the support I have received from so many women .... there are no words to express my deep gratitude for their caring and reaching out to me..... this is one of the biggest reasons i feel compelled to step forward to speak.

My path in life has been changed forever because of women stepping forward to help me in my journey.

thank you again,

Rachel 

will update on tuesday due to work

hi,

I will update my blog by tuesday because I am working now and have not had time over the last week or so.  But I will be back on the job asap.

thank you,

Rachel

rachel rebounds and lands job

hi,

I am beat today but will blog tomorrow.  i was up at 3am to work out and worked all day until 5 pm and thank god I have a job finally

will write tomorrow

rachel

due to accident will update later this week

On Thursday I was running and had a bit of an accident which included a spilt lip, laceration and chipping a tooth and a filling that will need replace this week. I was running and took a good fall which the  blunt of fall was absorbed by my chin, the laceration, and my mouth.  I was very lucky I did not knock a few teeth out. 

So in the last year I had this accident and I have pulled my hamstring but that did not deter me from running down the VA hill today.  I am recovered now and will up date my blog either wednesday or thursday.

thank you

Rachel