On February 1, 1976, I came into this world and immediately became a Daughter to two loving parents. I also became a Granddaughter, Niece, Cousin. My parents took me out into the world and introduced me (aka “showed me off) to people and to these people I became a Friend. As I grew taller, I also grew smarter. I learned many new things and became a Student at various schools. A couple times I became a Girlfriend and then, subsequently, I became an Ex-Girlfriend. I became Best Friend to many and, as often happens in our adolescent years, anEx-Best Friend to a couple people throughout high school.

Eventually, I became a College Student. Then I became a Chat Room Junkie. Then I was a Social Drinker, Smoker, Party Girl, always ready for a good time! This all lead up to me becoming a College Drop Out. And then I met Peter. And then I became a Honey, Special Girlfriend, Fiancee! I went back to school and became a Returning College Student, otherwise known as an Adult Learner. For a while there I was a Fort Collins Resident. Throughout my working life I’ve become a Dog Food Salesperson, Toys-R-Us Cashier, Temporary ‘File Monkey,’ Customer Service Representative, Team Leader, Customer Service Supervisor, and Data Entry Monkey. Finally, I became a Preschool Teacher! In the meantime, I also became a Wife, Daughter -in-Law, Sister-in-Law and Cousin/Niece -in-Law to many more people. I moved and became a Highlands Ranch Homeowner. I studied hard and studied long and finally I became a College Graduate! Horray! Then I became a Lead Teacher and then an Early Childhood Educator I in the State Classified school system. For a very short time I became an Expectant Mother. Then I was a Grieving Woman. Then I became a Grieving Daughter. That’s when I got confused and scared and things looked very strange to me. When I wasn’t really paying attention and I’m quite sure I wasn’t looking, I became a Cancer Patient.

The journey’s not over yet. I am still Becoming. I am still Growing. I am still Learning. Who would’ve guessed that by the time I rang in the year 2008 and then blew out 32 candles on my birthday cake I would have become so many things?! But the thing that I am most unexpectedly proudest of becoming so far is a Survivor. I am still becoming ME.