This is a hard one for me to answer, not least because the past few years have been a period of great personal growth for me, in the sense of learning a lot about acceptance and gratitude. ButI think I changed the most in the year immediately preceding and the first couple of years following my marriage. I became much happier, and that was a very big change for me.

There's been a lot of change in the past four years- getting used to married life, two kids, move from the city to the suburbs, grad school for me, seminary graduation for Stynx with a job hunt and joining a church as the pastor's family. I'm tired just thinking about it.

I think the year before and the two years after George died were the ones that made me the person I am today. I'd worked on my sobriety, found the first real love of my life, we were planning a new life together. Then he died, suddenly and shockingly. I had to go through the grieving process without resorting to alcohol and all those raw feelings ripped me up inside. It took me a while to heal and find that I still had the capacity to feel joy.

I think the last few years, for me. The impending, then actual end of a relationship of nearly two decades forced me to think consciously and seriously about what I want and what is possible. I don't have the hopes and dreams I once did, but I'm much more aware of what is possible, I think. I'm not any happier, but I'm more content with my lot.

My years 28 through 31, when I got up the courage to leave an abusive first husband, and move out on my own with two very small boys. First time in my life I was ever on my own. And I found it exhilarating.

at 27, I bought a business. So much research, work, learning, fun. At 30, marriage, at 32, baby. Now, at alllllmost 60, still learning. I have a grandbaby, which is so very sweet. He's sweet, being Nana is sweet.