Things that have completely changed your life :

-the death of my grandpa
-kids
-the death of my friend
-realization of my mother
-moving out of state

 

* Being hit by a teacher several times during the school year - After that people had to earn my respect and I learned what hate meant...I was seven when it happened.
* Working at a nursing home from age 10-13
* Being attacked by a group of boys at school because I was one of the only girls with tits....the other girls were harassed as well. I never allowed myself to be alone with a group of guys after that, even if I considered them my friends. I was 13.
*My grandmother's death and the things my grandfather said to me while she was dying. It was a horrible time. My grandmother was the peace keeper and while she was dying all we did was fight. I never knew I was hated by my family until that moment. I've never really talked to any of my relatives on that side of my family since.
*Attending a performing arts high school. I came out of my shell and gained a confidence that I still have to a point.
*The death of the guy I was crazy about in high school. The last time I saw him I was snotty to him because we had had a fight previously and I couldn't let it go. It still bothers me that I couldn't just agree and say, "Yes, of course you know I'm going to miss you." That's how I felt but because I was still mad I told him that I wouldn't miss him while he was out of state for school. He died a few years later, after his death I found out that he kept tabs on me through mutual friends because he considered me a friend. Pfft some friend I am.
*The death of my grandfather - even though he said all of those hateful things about me I couldn't handle his death. I had let bitterness control me for so long, and all I felt when he died was guilt. He had tried to apologize but I couldn't ever forgive him. I rarely visited him because of my bitterness.
*Dropping out of college. I've never felt so empowered and free as I did the day I said fuck it, I'm not learning anything and I don't even want that degree. It still makes me smile that I finally stood up for myself about school.

 

My parents divorce
Moving to Australia
Lots of little moments that people won't really understand (mostly because I can't describe them).

 

Hearing a jam band for the first time... I couldn't believe there was this music that I had never heard before. Music that actually spoke to me... *sigh*

Giving birth to dude #1 and dude #2 both for very different reasons.

Suffering from depression and anxiety.

Having a son with a disability.

Being assaulted by a random man, permanently changing my physical appearance.

 

in order:

saying "no" and knowingly disobeying my parents for the first time aged 11.
my dad running out on us, aged 16.
moving out of home aged 16.
saying 'no' to prescription drugs as an answer to supposed depression, aged 21.
leaving Ireland, aged 22.
meeting K, my ex, aged 27.
being left by her, aged 31.
volunteering in Thailand, aged 31.

These are the main things that have chaged my life-path, I think.

 

My Father -> Fighting back
Suicide of my GF
Going to 147 funerals in the past 20 years.

Theres more. But im not in the mood.

 

getting disabled and sent packing from the military after 18 years from one of our silly little wars.....:-(

 

accidentaly eating a twinkie with mold growing on the bottom

way better than mushrooms

 

haha really?

 

it was a trip to another dimension

 

My sex change operation.

 

a horrible accident that disfigured my once beautiful face and body.

 

When I started running.
When I started drinking.