These are Milestone Moments. They mark your
progress and move you forward, creating the person
you are today. What’s your Milestone Moment?

"My milestone (moment) is losing 145 pounds and keeping it off for 3 years.
This is such a milestone for me because my doctors told me that I could die
from being overweight, as I suffer from high blood pressure and heart problems.
I am amazed by the quality of life I have now. God has blessed me." — Dee from Georgia

“When I had the courage (and sense) to leave an abusive marriage.
I had to find a job to support myself and 3 kids. It's been 14 years and I'm happy
and the kids are doing great!” — Laurie from NY

“As a victim of polio in 1953 I had a number of surgeries and extensive physiotherapy.
My milestone moment was not having to wear a leg brace and being able to walk
without assistive devices.” — Nadine from Ontario

"My Milestone moment was buying my first home shortly after turning 51.
After nearly a lifetime of hardship I worked and worked and bought a home
all by myself. I look forward to celebrating my first Thanksgiving in this
house with many more to come. I have to say I do feel proud and thankful."
— Sue from Massachusetts

"So many moments in my life have been magical milestone moments however one
in particular comes to my mind. After trying for quite some time to get
pregnant, we decided that it was time to think about adoption. My mother was
adopted and I had always wanted to adopt, ever since I was a young child. We
went to Russia twice, once to meet our handsome son to be and the next time
to bring him home with us...When we picked up our son (Micah) from the
orphanage, we drove with our interpreter to a city an hour away to catch a
plane to Moscow. While we were in the airport waiting for the plane, Micah
pulled himself up with a chair nearby and TOOK HIS VERY FIRST STEPS to
me...This would be one of my proudest milestone moments ever! "
— Barb from Minnesota

"We have a local soup kitchen that also has a clothing depot. During the
past couple of years I have made it a point to donate clothing and as well
as a cash donation in memory of my mother who passed away. When my mother
died and I was able to go through her things, I sat surrounded by her stuff
bear collection that she truly loved. I decided that someone else should be
able to enjoy this collection as much as she did. I gathered them up and
took them to the soup kitchen. When I arrived there was an elderly couple
outside. The older lady asked me what I had. When I explained to her that I
had my late mother's bear collection she asked me if she could have one. Of
course I said yes and as she picked the bear she liked, she informed me she
had never had a doll or stuff toy in her life as her family was very poor.
She started to cry and gave me a big hug. She thanked me and stated Omay god
bless you.’ Driving away, I realized he already had. I have never forgotten
this moment and it made me realize how fortunate I was to have a roof over
my head, plenty of food and a family who loves me. I also realized my mom,
who is my guardian angel, just gave me a life lesson through her bear
collection. The old adage is very true, you are never too old to learn. "
— Darlene from New Brunswick

"Almost 24 years ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl alone. Her father
didn’t want to take part. I said I could do it alone and had big plans to
make sure she was educated and would not have to struggle in life. God
blessed me with a smart strong young girl that was very driven. It was not
easy to move her back and forth from Michigan to Kansas City for four years,
and now Philadelphia for two years, for her Masters. I told her the first
day I dropped her at undergrad school we could do this together. Now, in May
of 2008, my baby girl is walking to get her Master's degree at 24 years old.
It’s been a long haul. I'm very proud of her and myself as a single mother.
To top it off, I will be getting married this June, the Day before my
daughter's birthday, for the first and last time to my very best friend.
Dreams do come true! This is my milestone moment. I don't even know how I
will stop myself from bawling like I baby and I am not a cry baby."
— Leah from Michigan

"Almost 14 years after having my first child, I welcomed a new little one
into the world. She came 6 weeks early and spent 12 days in the neonatal
ICU. I was emotionally exhausted and disheartened looking at my sleeping
daughter through the lucite of her incubator. She turned her head, opened
her eyes and looked up at me. In that moment, I knew everything would be
okay. We enjoy every moment cuddling with her now that she is home."
— Lipika from Florida

"Sometimes in life you have to go through something painful in order
to receive joy. I am a 2 time bone cancer survivor and I am 30 years old. Having
cancer for the first time at age 21, I still felt invincible. I was tough! I was scared but
I had this innocence and believed I was a good person and everything would be ok.
I bounced back quickly and was on my feet again. However, 5 years later I received
news that cancerhad struck again. This time I was really terrified and doubtful. I thought
I was done with cancer and now it's back! With the continued support from my family
and friends, as well as having a strong faith, is truly what pulled me through.
There were dark days, don't get me wrong, but overall cancer has made me
who I am today and I would never take it back. Cancer has made me a fearless,
hopeful, grateful, carefree person who loves life!!! I try everyday not to take things
for granted and make a point to see the beauty in the small things in life. I have a
positive attitude and if something negative comes my way I look at all my options.
We don't know why (bad) things happen. But I do know that your perspective and
attitude can make a world of difference." —Tasha from Kentucky

"After years of writing, my milestone moment occurred with the publication of my
first novel.  To see my name on the cover and my words in true book form was
like being presented with my first child.  It was a thrill I’ll never forget."
— Vicki from Louisiana

"My Milestone moment was getting my degree. Coming from a very poor family
of 11 children in a small rural community I was obligated to drop out of high school
to care for my siblings. I was mortified and lived with guilt and shame. I completed
my Bachelors at the age of 32 while working full time and raising 2 children.
My education is one of the greatest gifts in my life besides my family. I feel no regrets
or shame anymore, I am a better person for going through these hardships
and challenges." — Denise from Florida

"The day I gave birth to my daughter, Renee (means rebirth in French) at the age
of 36 was my milestone moment. Our child was long awaited and has proven to
be true to her namesake...rebirth. I too was reborn as I began to see life anew through
my daughter's eyes, be it joy or sorrow. I've grown into a new being in unbelievable
ways and continue to do so with the exquisite appreciation of what conscious parenting
is and what it takes be a good mother and mentor to a new being on this planet. I'm
looking forward to creating many great memories with my daughter in our years ahead.
Thank you for letting me share my greatest Milestone Moment with you! "
— Vicki from Washington

"My husband died suddenly when I was 47 years old. After the devastating shock
started to subside, I found myself having to do everything including helping our
youngest through the college experience. I poured over financial forms, physically
helped him move more than once, and listened to him when he needed the love and
support of a parent. On his graduation day, I felt as if I (in some small way) was
graduating as well. At the ceremony the president of the college asked the parents to
stand and be recognized. All of the graduates started to applaud but my son (who knew
where I was standing) turned to face me and saluted. My knees buckled as I stood
there alone among all of the other parents. I started to cry when I realized that my boy
recognized and appreciated "our" journey through those college years. The pendant to
be given away reminds me of that day. Love is the center stone...the biggest and
shining so brightly. It is surrounded by the figure eight which, to me, represents time and the circle of life. We have all had Milestone Moments which will forever surround us, both
good and bad, but love will always be the greatest force connecting those moments
and allowing us to continue on our individual paths. Thank you for the opportunity for
me to walk down the college path again as I relived one of my most incredible
and satisfying Milestone Moments". — Joyce from Pennsylvania