Experiences that really, deeply changed you

ROBOTFOOD

Seeing the movie Twister in the theaters. Been a srorm chaser/enthusiast ever since.

nickisa28

Wow this stuff is heavy so I'm just gonna go for it:

My Dad used to knock my mum around but she went a bit Tina Turner and started hitting him back then left him when I was 8.
Then her 2nd husband...the man I called Dad, left without a word while we were all at school/work. I was the one who made the discovery first so had to tell her. The year that followed, I believe turned me into the woman that I am now.

Having kids- I think it changes everyone. They calmed me down

My mother in law- now this isn't your usual mother in law stuff. I'm very close to my in laws but she's an alcoholic. She made my life hell when I had her first grandchild. I don't actually know how I got through it. But it's made me fiercely protective of my relationship with husband and my children.

I got made redundant this year- not a massive thing but I was there for 12 years. Work has always been a huge part of who I am. All my friends and even some of my family worked there and many of us got let go. I took 3 months off work, it's been amazing and I've learnt that there's much more to life than just running around in a haze juggling work and motherhood. I'm looking at life from a whole new angle. I'm going self employed and starting my own business. Think this is my next chapter.

Timshel_

1. Being a father
2. The highest highs and lowest lows of life long commitment
3. Allowing myself to be positive, always
4. Believing in something more than myself
5. Everything about life after 40
6. Understanding and accepting I cannot know everything, but continuing to try

Francl27

Man, some deep stuff in here.

- my mom beating me up frequently when I was a kid because I wanted to stop my piano lessons. Never trusted her with any of my deep feelings ever since
- the huge depression that caused/followed my first divorce
- Being robbed in the subway when I was 23 (I chased the guy down and scared the *kitten* out of him to get my wallet back - definitely figured out something about myself that day)
- Learning in a mistakenly CC'ed email that the guy I considered my best friend when I was 23 thought I was a lunatic (during my depression). Haven't really trusted anyone enough to have a good friend since (until recently - I think? - still working on that one and honestly it's terrifying me)
- my father's death
- moving to the US
- infertility and adopting my kids
- all my job experiences - I still have a hard time convincing myself that I'm not completely worthless after those

Yeah my life has been all rainbows and unicorns, lol.

synchkat

Holy smokes I've led an easy life

1. growing up doing something somewhat based on appearance taught me to never let someone see that they can have an effect on what you think about yourself.
2. being told my baby would have no brain (he does have a brain btw) at my first ultrasound was pretty life altering. Meant that I'd never again judge anyone for decisions made during pregnancy and those that say they would never do anything like terminate a pregnancy I now say wait until you are in the position where you are being given that option. Being told this information by your family doctor of 33 years I think changed his life a bit too.
3. Spending countless hours at the cancer centre with my dad for his treatments has given me a new appreciation for how lucky I am and how tough people can be. Having a bad day go and sit with someone getting a chemo treatment, between the kindness of the nurses and the hope that the patients have it can't not alter your own perspective on life.

Heartisalonelyhunter

- Being sexually abused
- My divorce
- Having my kids

All the rest of it is superficial really, even though it seemed really important at the time

DetroitDarin

I was on the convoy back from Hohenfels with about a platoon-sized
element of A Btry. I don't recall most of those there except CPL
Stevens. Just past Nurnburg we came upon an over-turned 5-ton along
the side of the autobahn. As we approached I got on the radio
"Stop-Stop-Stop! They're americans!"

When I stopped my HMMWV on the shoulder I sprinted back to the scene.
German Paramedics were around the truck, as was a crowd of on-lookers.
Thankfully I had picked up a good deal of the German language from
My then-girlfriend. I was able to make conversation and coordination with the
responders and medics. I shared with the others there were two known
occupants inside, then moved in front of the truck, noticing a gap
just below the hood, between the truck and the ground. I remember
low-crawling under the truck to look for the occupants. I was greeted
by a SGT on his back, forehead skin peeled back some. He was
incoherent but conscious. I grabbed him by the shoulder and told him

"Were Americans. We're here. It'll be okay." I could smell fuel and
feel fluid everywhere. Occasionally we'd see sparks.

Luckily, we had a wrecker with us, so we were able to hook to the
undercarriage of the truck and lift it about 2 feet. We couldn't go
much higher because the wrecker was a 5-ton, too - in fact, we had
by-standers perched up on the front bumper of the wrecker to try and
provide a modicum of counter weight. I was called out from under the
truck while they attempted a lift. As the truck got a little more
clearance i went back under and was able to position myself under the
SGT and sort of wiggle him out to the waiting paramedics. I pulled him atop me,
and sorta scooted him (think rescue swimmer) out from under the truck
At one point the front of the wrecker started raising up off the ground! Dozens of
bystanders and other Soldiers rushed to climb on it, in an attempt to
act as a counter-weight.

As the man I helped bring out was being put into the ambulance I
looked down at my right hand to see it painted with blood and what
seemed like pieces of flesh. CPL Stephens, and this is why I remember
him being there, walked with me to the medic and helped me wash it
off. The driver of the vehicle, however, was still there. He was
trapped by the weight of the under-seat batteries.

There are 4 batteries in a 5-ton, if I recall. I'd guess each weighs 50lbs. The
driver was screaming and moaning for most of the event. Myself and a
German paramedic grabbed the seat and pulled up in an attempt to allow
room to remove the driver. As they got the driver out, and turned him
face up we saw his Army-issue "Birth Control" classes had shattered.

The glass, unfortunately, filled his eyes, sort of like a snow-cone.

The first man was airlifted to a hospital - a helicopter landed right
there on the freeway. I walked to the bird along side his stretcher -
MASH style. When we got there, he looked up at me and a single tear
rolled down his cheek. I put my hand on his shoulder and said
"Sergeant...you'll be fine." He flew away. The driver of the 5-ton was
driven away.

Moving back along we ensured there had been nobody had been in the
back of the truck - we found the dispatch and some personal gear which
we secured. One thing we noticed - the Truck did not have a proper
'dispatch' - wasn't properly authorized to leave post. I remember
looking at one of the kevlars the soldiers had with them containing a
literal puddle of blood. We dumped it there along side the road and
headed back for our installation.

When we got back to McCully a group was waiting for us. One SFC was
passionately telling us how we'll get screwed because none of our
leadership would put us in for the Soldier's Medal. Now, I'm not sure
what we did would have met THAT criteria...But eventually their
battalion commander sent down "Certificates of Achievement" to us
which read:

Meritorious achievement during the recovery and evacuation of two B
Co, 501st FSB Soldiers involved in an automobile accident. Your
actions allowed for the quick medical evacuation of both soldiers and
very likely, saved their lives. This reflects great credit upon..."
yadda yadda yadda.

The reason I know the citation is because it's the only Army award I
keep in my office/cubical. Sure, i've got a couple ARCOMS and whatever - but
with being able to provide a service to those two Soldiers - that was
special to me.

shadowfax_c11

Telling the man I loved that it was okay to go to sleep and that when he woke up everything would be okay. I knew that he was never going to wake up. Less than 24 hours later I had to make the decision to have him taken off of life support. I was 28 years old.

devilwhiterose

I've got several, but the biggest one was when my husband came back from Afghanistan and EAS'd 4 months later.

Fortunately, we had been together for around 8 years so we had a very solid foundation to start. I don't believe we would have made it if we hadn't been together long. He returned home to a 2 year old and 6 month old twins (that he'd never met) from a combat deployment where there were several casualties and fatalities.

The whole first year of him being out of the service was an experience that changed the way I think, the way I feel, our marriage, our kids, my perspective on life in general... You learn a lot about someone when they're going through some things (survivor's guilt, PTSD, and TBI to name a few. It's been almost 5 years and while the intensity of some struggles have changed, it's still something we're forever living with.

ItsyBitsy246

Too many that are too personal to share. Those aside I will say that my experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer fundamentally changed my world view and who I am for the better.

ETA two of my favorite related quotes:

By Mark Twain: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

By John Muir: “Few places in this world are more dangerous than home. Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain passes. They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action.”

Rage_Phish

hallucinogens

PowerMan40

Drowning in the Pacific ocean in a rip tide, while saving my 10 year old son, who got sucked out passed the breakers on his surf board, my body and limbs going numb from the cold water, and my head dipping below the water level, everything going black, and waking up on the beach with lifeguards and Ems all around me, hearing my kids yelling at me, not to die, and their weeping, couffing and throwing up sea water, on the beach.

You tend not to take any day your alive for granted after that point, and try to live you life to the fullest you can.

synchkat

PowerMan40 wrote: »

Drowning in the Pacific ocean in a rip tide, while saving my 10 year old son, who got sucked out passed the breakers on his surf board, my body and limbs going numb from the cold water, and my head dipping below the water level, everything going black, and waking up on the beach with lifeguards and Ems all around me, hearing my kids yelling at me, not to die, and their weeping, couffing and throwing up sea water, on the beach.

You tend not to take any day your alive for granted after that point, and try to live you life to the fullest you can.

holy crap that certainly would be life altering

Shana67

Having children. This changed me by teaching me to think outside of what *I* want/need and to focus on another individual's priorities, for once in my life.

Getting divorced. I learned to be a better listener, to communicate with care, and that the grass is most decidedly not greener on the other side.

Geeky_and_Cheeky

*Both my parents passing from drug overdosing.
*Going into foster care
*birth of each of my 2 kids
*divorce

spells1977

Living through various eating disorders
Living through anxiety and panic attacks
Coming out finally at the age of 37 and meeting my amazing girlfriend
Realising that all my past health issues and stress related to me being in the closet
Losing weight and finally being more confident all round - no longer scared of my own shadow!
Adopting my beautiful baby girl. She is the most amazing thing that has happened to me and changed my life for the better

jtegirl

Becoming a mother
Divorce

JustMissTracy

My real father dying two years ago
My best friend dying of cancer last year
My baby granddaughter being born 7 years ago
My real mother apologizing
My kids growing up and moving out
Quitting smoking
A child I love was molested, I trust no one now.
Losing 80 lbs

Pterod

The responses here are humbling.

PhedraJD

Finding out my husband/best friend had sexually abused my daughter. Making the call to the cops, spending 2 years being treated like a criminal. Not too long after this, making the decision to have my daughter live with my mom for her own well being. Now finally having her living at home again. Realizing how freaking strong you really can be, and making the decision to not let this control my whole life with mistrust and hatred.

lessismoreohio

Many years ago, when Russia first opened up, we adopted a child from a rural area in the south of Russia near Turkey. I had never been out of the USA before. We spent a week in Moscow and a week in southern Russia where few westerners and fewer Americans had gone. I'll never forget the scary, the sad and the heroic things I saw during my two short weeks in Russia.

GreenGoddess22

Watching my father die and his death changed me in ways I never thought possible.

rdevol

Wow! Just came upon this thread from awhile back. I'm amazed at what some of you have experienced and endured in your lives, as well as the resilience of getting through those times. Life is rarely easy, but it is wonderful and to be savored as much as possible!

SomebodyWakeUpHIcks

When I was younger I jumped ship in Hong Kong and I made my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock.

So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking. So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one - big hitter, the Lama - long, into a ten-thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-lagunga. So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness."

So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

Motorsheen

When they reintroduced the McRib and just as suddenly took it away.


There's a metaphor somewhere buried in all of that bbq sauce.

Timshel_

I am not who I was.

Lots of deaths, self-perpetuated issues, bad drug deals, being shot at and knifes pulled, being reborn to be a light, my kids births, and becoming the person I was always meant to be.

The every day struggle and seeing people as they are and not who I want them to be...and loving them for it.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

DaddyDunk91

Being bullied from primary school to high school
Seeing my father pass away 5 years ago.
Watching my now fiancee give birth to our son.

_thisnameischosen_

Becoming a mother.