What's your greatest achievement?
- Thread starter LauraMax
- Start date
banslug
Cathlete
WOW! I really LOVE this thread! Laura, thanks for posting this and congrats on helping your Dad!!!
For me. Well, I had to give it some thought, but everythign is entwined with everythign else around here!
So, my greatest accomplishment has been quitting my job after DH passed away. It was very VERY hard to make that jump from an income with benefits to a tight shoe-string FIXED budget with state-provided benefits and Social Security. From working mom to SAHM (again). But my kids were in need of me at HOME so that's what I did.
This post and my reply are actually very timely because there have been a few openings in the school system that I've been tempted by, but some very VERY dear friends pointed out to me that the TIME AT HOME is way WAY more important than the extra income. There will always be time to work and earn an income.....but my kids need me right where I'm at.
Gayle
For me. Well, I had to give it some thought, but everythign is entwined with everythign else around here!
So, my greatest accomplishment has been quitting my job after DH passed away. It was very VERY hard to make that jump from an income with benefits to a tight shoe-string FIXED budget with state-provided benefits and Social Security. From working mom to SAHM (again). But my kids were in need of me at HOME so that's what I did.
This post and my reply are actually very timely because there have been a few openings in the school system that I've been tempted by, but some very VERY dear friends pointed out to me that the TIME AT HOME is way WAY more important than the extra income. There will always be time to work and earn an income.....but my kids need me right where I'm at.
Gayle
buffettgirl
Cathlete
My greatest achievement to date is raising a special needs child and fighting the local government to have him recognized as mentally retarded so he could move into a group home. It took us four long years of very expensive legal wrangling to get the county to accept the definition of retardation that included the ability to handle certain life skills, rather than just an IQ. DS now lives in a home not too far away where he has friends, a job, a girlfriend and a better life by far than when he lived at home. He has lost over 100 pounds and is happy and healty.
boybielicious
Cathlete
The biggest achievement for ME is when I lost 150 lbs from age 15-16.
PinkMom
Cathlete
Cool thread, Laura! Congrats to us all on our accomplishments!
My greatest accomplishment to date (I like that qualifier, Robin) has been administering CPR to my 39 year old husband after he went into cardiac arrest at 3:00 a.m. on April 20, 2006, and continuing until the firemen arrived 5 minutes later. He was ultimately down for 20 minutes and was shocked 7 times by an AED, but he suffered no residual effects -- physical or cognitive -- as a result. The medical professionals give me the credit for that. I personally give the credit to God -- I was just following the 911 operator's instructions. (Long story, but it was caused by a congenital electrical defect called Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome.)
My other great achievement was staying on complete bedrest for 3 months so that I could give birth to healthy, beautiful identical twin daughters. They are now healthy, beautiful, intelligent, talented 15 year olds.
My greatest accomplishment to date (I like that qualifier, Robin) has been administering CPR to my 39 year old husband after he went into cardiac arrest at 3:00 a.m. on April 20, 2006, and continuing until the firemen arrived 5 minutes later. He was ultimately down for 20 minutes and was shocked 7 times by an AED, but he suffered no residual effects -- physical or cognitive -- as a result. The medical professionals give me the credit for that. I personally give the credit to God -- I was just following the 911 operator's instructions. (Long story, but it was caused by a congenital electrical defect called Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome.)
My other great achievement was staying on complete bedrest for 3 months so that I could give birth to healthy, beautiful identical twin daughters. They are now healthy, beautiful, intelligent, talented 15 year olds.
buffettgirl
Cathlete
jloewe
Cathlete
Gayle...
You...unworthy...you cannot be serious...you are an amazing woman...I am just grateful you made a tiny place for me to hop on your coattails..I am beyond honored to have you call me your friend!
elliemom
Cathlete
Forgiving myself.
My DS was born and my father was in assisted living. My father started coughing and had a high fever. He asked me to hold the baby. I said not right now dad, you are sick. He (my dad) went to the hospital the next day and died from MRSA one month later. I had such extreme guilt. As it turned out my DS had cardiac problems and could have become very ill or died also. I HAD to be a mother. I had to put the guilt behind me and put off the grieving for my father. I needed to be mom to my 2 little boys. I had to do it. I had no choice. But the guilt was killing me. My dad never got to hold his grandson, Because I said NO. Catholic guilt didn't help!!!
I had to forgive myself. it was soooooo hard. I had to wake up everyday and say " You protected a newborn from a life threatening illness. Some days it helped, some days not. But, as my son's condition worsened I knew I did the right thing. he is much better now at 4, and I hope my father is proud of me for the mother I have become.
elliemom
My DS was born and my father was in assisted living. My father started coughing and had a high fever. He asked me to hold the baby. I said not right now dad, you are sick. He (my dad) went to the hospital the next day and died from MRSA one month later. I had such extreme guilt. As it turned out my DS had cardiac problems and could have become very ill or died also. I HAD to be a mother. I had to put the guilt behind me and put off the grieving for my father. I needed to be mom to my 2 little boys. I had to do it. I had no choice. But the guilt was killing me. My dad never got to hold his grandson, Because I said NO. Catholic guilt didn't help!!!
I had to forgive myself. it was soooooo hard. I had to wake up everyday and say " You protected a newborn from a life threatening illness. Some days it helped, some days not. But, as my son's condition worsened I knew I did the right thing. he is much better now at 4, and I hope my father is proud of me for the mother I have become.
elliemom
LaughingWater
Cathlete
I'm of the belief that everyone has something wonderful to be proud of, something fantastic they accomplished, but many have trouble recognizing it in themselves.
LauraMax
Cathlete
Well, while I must confess to being astounded & inspired by all of these amazing accomplishments.........not only do I agree w/everyone else Gayle, I'm actually most impressed by yours.
netsnotes16
Cathlete
My greatest achievement was The Firm Cardio Challenge in Columbia. I also was able to workout with Gin Miller and Anna Benson. I am hopin' one day I can workout with Cathe! That would be awesome.
My other greatest achievement, would be a clean house, but that ain't gonna happen',domestic diva, I am not!
My other greatest achievement, would be a clean house, but that ain't gonna happen',domestic diva, I am not!
jodijodi
Cathlete
(((hugs))) to you Ellie...that must have been so hard!
So many great accomplishments! Too many for me to congratulate individually, but you are all amazing people!
One of mine has been to help my DD overcome her fears and shyness. I have seen members of my family turn into fearful adults who have let fear and worry rule (and ruin) their lives. I vowed that this would not happen to my daughter. We are still working on it, but every day she grows more mature and more bold, and I can see the wonderful adult she will be some day.
So many great accomplishments! Too many for me to congratulate individually, but you are all amazing people!
One of mine has been to help my DD overcome her fears and shyness. I have seen members of my family turn into fearful adults who have let fear and worry rule (and ruin) their lives. I vowed that this would not happen to my daughter. We are still working on it, but every day she grows more mature and more bold, and I can see the wonderful adult she will be some day.
Sugarbean
Cathlete
I have tears in my eyes as I read everyone's incredible accomplishments.
I haven't thought of my life as a series of accomplishments, and maybe it's time I took a moment like all of you to reflect. Whoa that sounded cheesey. But here goes.
1) I moved home from college to take care of my brother when I was 21 because my parents got a divorce and were acting like fools, and my extremely angry 15 year old brother was beginning to use drugs and rebel in the backdrop of their bickering. He now has a masters in computer science and is a very well-adjusted individual. And we are now best friends.
2) I started dating a guy who was premed, and I thought he was so smart, and that I never could be that. I switched my major 3 credit hours shy of an accounting degree, did premed, which added 3 more years onto undergrad to make a total of 7 years, went to medical school, residency, and now am doing a fellowship.
3) I got married when I was 24 because I was pregnant, to a wonderful man who wasn't ready to get married and have a family, after knowing him for 6 months. I certainly was not ready either. After the first few years of conflict, we grew up together, forgave each other (and ourselves), and ten years later, are true partners and best friends.
4) We have two beautiful, thoughtful, imaginative, smart, secure children, because my husband and I decided to not put them in daycare, he became a SAHD, and we now have massive student loans to pay, but I believe it was worth it.
5) I have now undertaken a lifestyle change to take a stand for my own health, and am learning to become accountable for my own health.
Sorry for the novel, but thank you for the opportunity to acknowledge my life.
Who has the next story for us?
I haven't thought of my life as a series of accomplishments, and maybe it's time I took a moment like all of you to reflect. Whoa that sounded cheesey. But here goes.
1) I moved home from college to take care of my brother when I was 21 because my parents got a divorce and were acting like fools, and my extremely angry 15 year old brother was beginning to use drugs and rebel in the backdrop of their bickering. He now has a masters in computer science and is a very well-adjusted individual. And we are now best friends.
2) I started dating a guy who was premed, and I thought he was so smart, and that I never could be that. I switched my major 3 credit hours shy of an accounting degree, did premed, which added 3 more years onto undergrad to make a total of 7 years, went to medical school, residency, and now am doing a fellowship.
3) I got married when I was 24 because I was pregnant, to a wonderful man who wasn't ready to get married and have a family, after knowing him for 6 months. I certainly was not ready either. After the first few years of conflict, we grew up together, forgave each other (and ourselves), and ten years later, are true partners and best friends.
4) We have two beautiful, thoughtful, imaginative, smart, secure children, because my husband and I decided to not put them in daycare, he became a SAHD, and we now have massive student loans to pay, but I believe it was worth it.
5) I have now undertaken a lifestyle change to take a stand for my own health, and am learning to become accountable for my own health.
Sorry for the novel, but thank you for the opportunity to acknowledge my life.
Who has the next story for us?
Worknprogress
Cathlete
Wow - I have read some incredible stuff.
Robin - I had no idea of your past. I am humbled by your story. I have 4 healthy children, although my oldest has been very, very difficult (recovering addict), I tend to dwell on the stress of raising my children rather than being thankful they are healthy and thriving.
Gayle - I met you at the July Road Trip. I was so saddened by what you and your boys went through and thought you were an absolute Wonder Women to manage those boys by yourself. But what struck me most about you (and I told you at the RT) was your incredible personality. You are so welcoming and open to other people that you probably don't understand what a true gift that is!!!
Ellie Mom - your Dad was a parent too so he knew what you did was out of concern for your child. But it's so hard when someone passes and you're left behind hoping they knew how much you loved them, how much you didn't mean to hurt their feelings, etc. But he was your Dad so he knew better than anyone what kind of girl he raised to be a Mom.
Lisa - boy, you had a lot to deal with as a young adult. I think it's wonderful that you and your DH are still together even though it wasn't the ideal situation in the beginning. I think what you did for you brother was incredible. You didnt have to do it and you were so young that no one would have expected you to - but you did. I hope you have a great relationship now with him.
Laura - Parents are hard to take care of when they are sick. Role reversals are hard for parents. Although it was difficult in the beginning getting your Dad on track, it obviously worked out so well. It takes a really strong person to hang in there when the going get tough.
Last, but not least, as far as an accomplishment for myself.....I don't know that answer but I am sure the best is yet to come!
Robin - I had no idea of your past. I am humbled by your story. I have 4 healthy children, although my oldest has been very, very difficult (recovering addict), I tend to dwell on the stress of raising my children rather than being thankful they are healthy and thriving.
Gayle - I met you at the July Road Trip. I was so saddened by what you and your boys went through and thought you were an absolute Wonder Women to manage those boys by yourself. But what struck me most about you (and I told you at the RT) was your incredible personality. You are so welcoming and open to other people that you probably don't understand what a true gift that is!!!
Ellie Mom - your Dad was a parent too so he knew what you did was out of concern for your child. But it's so hard when someone passes and you're left behind hoping they knew how much you loved them, how much you didn't mean to hurt their feelings, etc. But he was your Dad so he knew better than anyone what kind of girl he raised to be a Mom.
Lisa - boy, you had a lot to deal with as a young adult. I think it's wonderful that you and your DH are still together even though it wasn't the ideal situation in the beginning. I think what you did for you brother was incredible. You didnt have to do it and you were so young that no one would have expected you to - but you did. I hope you have a great relationship now with him.
Laura - Parents are hard to take care of when they are sick. Role reversals are hard for parents. Although it was difficult in the beginning getting your Dad on track, it obviously worked out so well. It takes a really strong person to hang in there when the going get tough.
Last, but not least, as far as an accomplishment for myself.....I don't know that answer but I am sure the best is yet to come!
janiejoey
Cathlete
What a great thread!
You ladies are awesome and amazing! These accomplishments are very worthy and impressive. All I can say is WOW.
I have to add another accomplishment. To all my friends in Catheland. Lisa, Laura Max, Gayla, Lori and many many more. Even in cyberspace, how about that? I had to let you all know that I read your messages and feel honored that I do have friends like you.
Can't get any better than that.
Janie
You ladies are awesome and amazing! These accomplishments are very worthy and impressive. All I can say is WOW.
I have to add another accomplishment. To all my friends in Catheland. Lisa, Laura Max, Gayla, Lori and many many more. Even in cyberspace, how about that?
I had to let you all know that I read your messages and feel honored that I do have friends like you.Can't get any better than that.
Janie