Reflections of a Self-Made Man

About the Book

Through these pages you’ll experience two very true and meaningful love stories. I’ve seen love from both sides now. That doesn’t mean in winning or losing. In both of these encounters of the heart I don’t consider either one as a loss. Carol taught me how to open up my heart and receive love unconditionally. I loved her with my total being. Charlotte proves to me every day that she loves me unconditionally. Both of these incredible women had and have my heart in nothing less than total commitment. You will also experience a victory over a life long and very personal issue. Gender disorders are very serious in nature; for they are fooling with Mother Nature. We exist with invisible birth defects that are very visible to us. Some of us don’t make it to the victory party of our body’s emergence. Some of us try to cut out the parts that shouldn’t be there. Many die, or try to escape with drugs or alcohol. I’ve told the story with my usual sense of humor, honesty and passion for life. These are all very important traits that have helped me survive during my journey. Now I’m looking to the future with a new body and name, more fi tting to my heart, soul and spirit. Some people may not agree with what I have done. I challenge them to read “Refl ections” with an open heart and mind, imagining themselves in my shoes walking down the same path.

About the Author

I was born in Cleveland Ohio in 1952. My parents divorced when I was eight years old. My Dad re-married. My early years were quite rocky. Although an extrovert by nature, I was forced to act like a turtle and hide inside my shell. There I developed a strong sense of self and a strong code of moral ethics. In following the code of honesty, I must state that I was never an attorney. I wanted to protect my future identity by not divulging my prior occupation. I started emerging from my “shell” with a strong inner core and unfailing enthusiasm for life. I was honest to a fault and possessed the ability to bounce back from life’s mishaps. My strong spiritual relationship with God had always been important to me. All of this helped me to be adventurous, creative, fun loving and passionate. This is my story of how, what, where, when and why I began my journey and ended up a self made man. Step into my shoes as you open your heart and mind while reading my “Reflections.” Happy reading, and may God be with you. -Doug Smith