What life-changing event?

When I was 18, the summer after graduation, I came to WI to visit my uncle who was in the hospital at the time. He was born with Hydrosephalus (water on the brain) along with a whole cocktail mix of other problems associated with it. Anyways, he was in the hospital because he kept getting worse and worse- the seizure meds weren't working as well, he needed more brain surgery, etc.

Well, he got out of the hospital and could no longer be semi-independent like he had been his whole life. My aunt could no longer take care of him on her own so when my dad went back home to WA, I stayed behind. My uncle died the following spring.

To this day, I don't know why I stayed here. But I'm glad I did!

I have some stories, but none too ... awesome. I have been shaped and molded slowly by my surroundings.

Although I have no really interesting and substantial life changing things in my past, my future (near future .. very near future) holds some that will change my life and how people view me for the rest of my life. It's scary, and it keep me up at night.

I agree with those who spoke of their children as the supreme life changing events. I raised my kids as a single mom for most of their lives, and it was often a tough road, but I love them and they have changed my life irrevocably, and for the better.

GREAT thread.

When I was 14, my mom died unexpectedly. Events occurred, and I had to basically take over her role in the family. It brought me closer to my siblings and my dad, and taught me responsibility. We all went through a rough period, but eventually we were able to move on. The little things don't bother me anymore, and I have a better appreciation for life. There's a whole heck of a lot more to the story, but I'd rather not get too personal.

First off, I want to say this to Pandora: I understand TOTALLY! I have Clinical Depression as well as ADD and mild Schizophrenia. I was on meds for a year before I said 'Enough' and weaned myself off them. Now I handle it all on my own...with the help of my BF.

Which leads me to proclaim my own event. Although having my daughter was interesting, and it led to my being officially diagnosed with those above disorders, it wasn't really big to me since I can't really handle being around children. Maybe it's because I was responsible for my brother since I was 4, maybe it's the mental stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love the girl... but she's better off with her father.

Anyway, the one event that changed my life the MOST was meeting and finally getting together with my partner/BF, Ari. He is the first person to accept me AS I AM and not want to change something. He also is the best 'medicine' I could ever have, since he has a few issues as well and actually understands what I think and go through. I moved here to Colorado with him so he could go to a Tech school for a Game Design degree (which he has) and that was the best decision I ever could have made. He has saved my life, figuratively and literally, more times than I can count. I have also been with him longer than anyone else(5.5 years) and hope to stay with him for years to come. :)

I would have to say the most life changing event for me was watching my dad fight and eventually lose the battle with brain cancer. You never realize how precious the time is with your family until something like that happens. Luckily I had a year to spend time with him after his diagnosis even though for a lot of the time he wasn't himself. Still I would never give back that time. My sisters and I started a charity foundation in his name after he died (www.mtgfoundation.org) and have raised more than $30,000 to fund brain cancer research.

Divorce.

I realized how many BIG decisions I'd made for other people's sake and how much of my life i'd put off just to find a comfort i didn't ultimately want or need.

It was a 5 year diversion from what would otherwise have been the normal course of my life, and so everything else is running a little behind schedule (i'm a 26 year old undergrad) - but i learned SO MUCH from the experience, and I can never be the same.

i would have to say i've had many life changing events in my life but the most significant recently was this 12 week fast i just completed. going inward with meditation and spending time on my journey, rather than a destination was a huge gift to me.

of course changing my life a year ago and getting rid of all the fat on my body was pretty significant as well... and then there's having babies, getting married... all that amazing stuff that fills my memories with smiles.

the birth of my boys... and then learning how precious life really is, with everything weve been through with our youngest child. weve gained a new found respect for life, being thankful for the small things, exc.

This one time when I was in college I got drunk and hooked up with a girl.

We've been together for over 3 years now, and I'm happier than I have ever been in my life because of her :D

Sometimes you can never know what kind of luck and opportunity life throws your way, especially when you can look back and laugh.