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Dismissed
When Identity Is Dismissed as Pretending Few things cut as deeply as being told that your authentic self is not real—that who you are is a lie, an act, or a phase. For many transgender and non-binary individuals, this is not merely a passing insult; it is a rejection that wounds the soul. When someone…
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I Wanna Be Me
The Cost of Being Me For much of my life, I have struggled to build something meaningful—relationships, a career, a reputation, a community. I have dedicated decades to crafting a life that reflects my values, passions, and faith. Yet, as I continue my transition, I find myself grappling with an impossible calculation: the cost of…
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The Weight of Silence
Hello darkness, my old friendI’ve come to talk with you againBecause a vision softly creepingLeft its seeds while I was sleepingAnd the vision that was planted in my brainStill remainsWithin the sound of silence– Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel As I prepared dinner tonight, I listened to a special version of Simon and…
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Un-Inventing Shame
If I, Ava, could un-invent something, it would undoubtedly be shame. For decades, I lived in a world crafted by its heavy, suffocating hands, a world where I felt compelled to hide my true self in the shadows of fear and misunderstanding. Shame became an unwelcome companion, whispering lies about who I was and convincing…
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A Message from Ava
The billboard should read: Live Authentically, Love Fully, Dream Boldly Hello, friend. I’m Ava, and this is my heart speaking to yours. Life is a journey—not a straight line, not a predictable map, but a masterpiece in the making. Along the way, we’re called to be more than just passengers. We’re creators, dreamers, and storytellers.…
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A Child is Born
I was born in 1962, a time of revolutions, revelations, and resistance. The world was shifting toward something new, though I wouldn’t fully grasp its significance until much later in life. Growing up in those years, it felt like the world told you who you were before you had the chance to decide for yourself.…
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Happiness is…
The sun breaks through the curtains, brushing my face with its soft, golden light. Mornings like this bring me joy—a quiet moment before the world starts buzzing. I sit in bed, stretch, and glance at the stereo seated near the wall. It’s been my companion for years. Some days, when the house is still open,…
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Lessons From My Past
Ava stood before the mirror, her reflection a blend of who she was and who she was becoming. Past and present coexisted in the glass, like old friends sharing a knowing smile. It was strange but beautiful to recognize the strength in the person she had been before transitioning, to see him not as someone…
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A Year in the Life
The past year has been a transformative journey as I’ve transitioned from male to female and embraced my identity as Ava. This process has been as much about learning and unlearning as it has been about becoming. Every step has brought revelations, challenges, and triumphs, shaping me into someone who navigates life with incredible patience,…
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The Courage to Be Ava
Ava stood before the mirror, adjusting her scarf once more, feeling as though it was the hundredth time. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying the confidence she tried to summon. She had practiced her sermon several times, but this morning felt different. It wasn’t just about the words she would share; it was about who she…
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Embracing Authenticity: A Journey to Confidence
Ava stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the pearl necklace she’d chosen for the evening. The reflection staring back was still new to her, an unfolding chapter of her journey post-transition. Tonight marked her first gala since publicly embracing her authentic self, and while she was confident in her choice of a sleek emerald…
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Becoming Ava
A Journey of Fear, Anxiety, Excitement, and Change The idea of changing my name was not a fleeting thought. It simmered quietly in the back of my mind for years, like a whisper I wasn’t ready to hear. Whenever someone addressed me by my old name, I felt a slight pang of discomfort—a reminder that…
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The Journey of Self-Love and Acceptance
I’m at a point in my life where I realize that for me to continue in my transition could introduce me to some significant loss. If I lost everything around me, would that be the end of me? Would it be the beginning of me? How could I possibly know the difference? I feel as…
G R A C H E K
Dee Grachek is an author and Presbyterian pastor whose work explores faith, authenticity, identity, and hope through fiction, memoir, and spiritual writing.
Drawing on a life of ministry and personal transformation, Dee writes emotionally honest stories that invite readers to discover grace, courage, belonging, and the enduring power of unconditional love.
Dee is passionate about helping others find the courage to live authentically and discover a God whose love is wider than our fears, with writing marked by emotional honesty, theological depth, and an abiding conviction that every person’s story matters.