Patti

I wrote a play when I was six years old where I was the princess and my sister was the prince and the dog, and got the neighborhood kids to watch for a dime.

I designed a house and built it with hand tools with my ex-husband who I taught to swing a hammer.

I swam at night in Long Island Sound among luminescent jellyfish that lit up if you bumped them, it was like swimming in the galaxy.

I visited every week my sister in the schizophrenic ward and tried to know her, see her, as she is.

I lightly kneaded half a cup of butter into two cups of powdery flour with my fingers to make batter for scones while listening to Pink Floyd's The Wall and puzzling how to finish a painting.

Patti, age 57

Nick

I accidentally ran over a bunch of ducks (I have to stress the 'accidental' portion of this).

I almost died in elementary school when I choked on an ice cream, cried, because the teacher's aid didn't believe that I was choking.

When I was 5 my appendix burst and I almost died again, because my parents just thought that I was sick.

I have laughed so hard that I farted.

I had sex in a concert venue bathroom.

Nick, age 25

Chris

I have traveled to Europe and while in France I got stopped by the French soldiers pointing their guns at me for walking under the Eiffel Tower at night.

I am an artist at heart and have designed a few buildings around the United States.

I have helped homeless people emotionally, simply, by just listening to their stories.

I am a Muay Thai fighter.

I have cheated on an ex-girlfriend 7 times that she doesn't know about, but I learned my lesson and wont ever repeat that. Don't want to follow the footsteps of my father who abandoned me.

Chris, age 24

Paqua

I married a man that has AIDS.

I chose to turn down $200,000 cash settlement in a lawsuit and ended up losing at trial.

I gave CPR to a guy that had no heartbeat and was not breathing and he lived.

I stole a 12 pack of pepsi and a bag of ice from a grocery store.

I sold my lapidary polishing machine for food.

Paqua

Holly

Took a road trip through Manitoba with almost no money, when I was 18.

Lived in Germany when I was 20-21/22.

Volunteered to help build houses in Mexico.

Work with kids who are diagnosed with behavioral/emotional disorders.

Continue loving this life.

Holly, age 30

Lee

I left my heart in Ireland.

I have had to find food in dumpsters.

I have flirted with rock stars.

I have seen too many shooting stars and forgot to make wishes on them.

I have been lost in Japan.

Lee, age 27

Samantha

Survived 10 years of childhood sexual assault.

Became a comedian and cabaret artist.

Had sex with a man on a beach during a cyclone.

Visited a stranger in a prison in Bulgaria.

Loved and was loved by a beautiful dig, until his final day.

Samantha, age 26

Kylie

I fell in love with art in a way I have never loved another human being.

I contemplate starting my life over on a daily basis.

I have fallen in love three times in my life time and out of love only once.

I have had the same best friend since 2nd grade.

I have traveled to two continents (not including the one I live on) and hope to leave footprints on three more before I die (I have no desire to go be cold in Antarctica.)

Kylie, age 25

Lesley

I have been in the darkest depths of depression.

I made the Denver Center laugh without saying a word.

I have had a nerf war with my cousin's and their kids and used skills I picked up from Halo.

I have been "that bald girl."

I am poor, and pursuing my art, and happier than before.

Lesley, age 28

Kristen

I fell in love in Venice.

I became a mother.

I quit my paying job to follow my dreams.

I saw a ghost.

I married my best friend.

Kristen, age 35

Brittney

I made a pros and cons list when I first met my love now of 7 years.

Danced around naked in front of a slow shutter speed camera.

I killed my gecko by accidentally overheating his terrarium. His name was Fernando.

I used to be obsessed with my weight and lost too much weight.

I witnessed my brother fall out of reality and become suicidal.

Brittney, age 24

John

The Smithsonian Institution once bought a piece of my artwork.

I've been teaching college ever since I was in college.

I ran with the bulls in Pamplona in wingtip shoes.

I shot myself in the face with a bow and arrow.

I roasted a lamb on a spit over an open fire on an Aegean beach in Greece.

John, age 42

Boz

I have a Masters Degree.

I am a romantic.

I don't want kids.

I have traveled to Europe and want to keep traveling. I hope to visit every country.

I have written a graphic novel.

Boz, age 27

Layla

I'm in the midst of recovering from one of the most difficult times in my life.

I moved to New Zealand to study art for a year without ever having been there, knowing no one, and having no money.

I laid on a picnic table at dusk, in the Grand Canyon, and watched hundreds of bats hunt for their dinner.

I dropped out of college twice before returning at age 30. And I kicked ass.

I was on a trip going from Fort Worth to LA when my train derailed in Palm Springs.

Layla, age 36

Michele

Was put up for adoption at birth, but spent 2 months in a Catholic orphanage and another 16 months in a foster home before being adopted.

I became a Christian at age 7, but rededicated my life to Christ at age 36.

Volunteered, with my oldest son, cleaning apartments at Ground Zero the week after Thanksgiving, 2001, after 9/11.

My daughter made me a grandmother in 2010 to Lillie Ann Mae.

Shot pool with both my sons.

Michele, age 46

Bets

I have painted beautiful paintings in many beautiful places around the world.

I have run many, many miles.

I have learned how to love, and love unconditionally through raising 2 children.

I have mourned the loss of family through death and estrangement.

I have written 2 thank you notes to families who have donated their loved ones' corneas so that I may see.

Bets, age 60

Gina

I am 53 and have kept a daily journal since 7th grade(1977)

Since age 18-50 i was in some sort of mental institution 34 times and one nursing home.

One state mental facility there was an art dept. (i might mention i was there 1yr) out of bordom i checked it out. much to my surprise i became an artist in my own right.

I have sold 6 originals and countless #'s of prints.

I co-founded & establish a mental health organization to educate,train and empower the mentally challenged w/bi-polar disorder,schizophernia,depression and schizoffective disorder. It's called Advocates of Abilene,inc.we apply for grants. The first year we recieved a $15,000--7yrs later we are recieving 3 grants>$60,000,25,000,15,000 grant.

Gina, age 53

Rich

I've been mistaken for Larry Bird...a lot.

I've driven more than a million miles.

I married my soul mate.

I've been a professional clown.

I've been voted Boston's Second Funniest Professional.

Rich, age 48

Clara

I sang "America the Beautiful."

I ate hot cheese curls.

I rode the train all night.

I buried two teddy bears.

I named a cat.

Clara, age 23

Alaina

Had a baby at 18, gave it up for adoption.

Married a musician at 31.

Traveled to Italy and Mexico.

Received a Masters degree at 58.

Continue to regret giving my baby away.

Alaina, age 59

Janice

I have been humbled by the faith and perseverance of a refugee family from Rwanda whose education in their homeland was discounted by ours, but rather than sulk, they sucked it up, started from scratch and began again.

I have learned what it is to "live on hope" from a homeless woman who spends all of her monthly disability check on bus fare and living in shelters or on the street, chasing a lover she's only known over the phone.

I have accepted the invitation into the sacred space of numerous people's lives to stand vigil with them at the bedside of loved ones as they draw their last breath.

I have become close friends with a few certifiably sane folks, sitting around a table every other Friday for several years, in a donut shop owned and operated by Boat People from Cambodia who've made it big selling hole-y food.

I've lived in the Valley, worked on the stage, owned a restaurant/catering service, been editor of a magazine, taught school, and graduated from seminary at age 50 only to learn that life has just begun!

Janice, age 56

Catherine

Lived in 41 different homes between the time I was born and high school graduation.

Moved as an adult across the country with only $60 - no apartment or job - and succeeded.

Had lots of sex in my 20's but no orgasms - and more sex in my 50's with many orgasms.

Went broke in my 40's and discovered true friends.

Launched a career as a nude model at 51 - and found that you can be fat & fifty - and fabulous!

Catherine, age 52

Holly

I earned an A in calculus after a lifelong struggle with math.

I ran through traffic to intercept a street fight.

I learned to draw when I started over.

I climbed a volcano even though I'm scared of heights.

I listen.

Holly, age 41

Erin

I've changed careers 3 times.

I've gotten married.

I graduated from college despite a disability that held me back.

I taught English to a class of Brazilian teenagers.

I went to Nicaragua on a volunteer trip and didn't really end up doing any volunteering except for painting a post for a half an hour.

Erin, age 32

Tom

Played the Mad Hatter, 1st acting role, in 'Alice in Wonderland', in Mrs. Mowrey's preschool, Newport RI, aged 10 approx, 1937. Stuffed younger brother George (the Dormouse) into the teakettle facsimile.

Years later was Prospero in 'The Tempest,' (American Theater Co, Portland OR, in the 70's); wept openly (but managed to keep the lines clear) in the epilogue. Retired.

Sailed the Atlantic twice, once as the ship's cook, with four others, each time in a 45-55 ft. sloop.

Learned to pray.

Almost drowned.

Tom, age 85

Meg

Made a little girl's Christmas dream come true even though I didn't know her.

Wrestled in Blood (literally but at least it was stage blood.)

Kept making art to make people smile even when I was dying inside.

Broke too many bones and took too many hits from those I loved.

Held my grandmother's hand and remembered her stories when no one else would.

Meg, age 22

Clara

Began a drama class for autistic teens.

Survived a suicide attempt.

Found someone I trust above all others.

Come out as pansexual.

Fell in love when I thought love was just a myth.

Clara, age 17

Margaret

At age 10, I wrote down my life goals for an assignment: own a dolphin, fly a plane, visit a rainforest, write a book.

At 14, I won a baby bottlenose dolphin in a contest, her name was Tina, she lived at an oceanarium.

At 34, I got my pilot's license, won an airplane and went on to become a flight instructor. I used that plane to fly scientists over the Pacific Northwest rainforests for the next 10 years.

My book was published in 2008, and I'm working on an expanded revised edition.

Margaret, age 54

Karen

Bone marrow donor.

Traveled to Africa and taught students at a private school.

Graduated with a B.A. in Visual Arts Studies.

Survived a car wreck in which my vehicle rolled several times on the freeway.

Met Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Kristie King (wife and sister of Dr. Martin Luther King.)

Karen, age 32

Lori

Passed the California Bar.

Took a 25 foot cab ride.

Turned my back on great opportunities.

Loved, love and will love my son.

Built a house that is too big to be a home.

Lori, age 41

Vicky

Overcame childhood poverty.

Adopted a child.

Survived cancer.

Rode my old bike 65 miles in 110 F degree temperature with hubby.

Shared how to have a relationship with Christ with others.

Vicky

Kristen

I cracked a hard-boiled egg on the Colosseum in Rome.
I used to love to run.
I once was obsessed with the game craps, and made craps sets for everyone in my family for Christmas gifts.
I was a passenger in a 1958 Oldsmobile that drove from Oakland, CA to Portland, OR overnight so the driver could turn in her final paper for class.
I sang a song in my grade-school variety show called Peanut Butter and Jelly in 3rd grade.

Kristen, age 42

Gwen

Born and brought up in Ottawa, Ontario.
Moved away for 20 years and traveled with the Military.
Fell in and out of love too many times.
Never looked or acted my age.
Love to babysit and dog sit.

Gwen, age 57

Philip

Taught english in a small village school in the Republic of Georgia.
Stopped drinking alcohol.
Helped my Uncle Mike thru the last year of his life (he was my age, died of the cancer.)
Lost faith in my art.
Moved (again.)

Philip, age 56

Douglas

I wanted to grow up to be a pilot.
I left the nest with great expectations.
I lived under a bush in the woods.
I started over again.
I rented an apartment.

Douglas, age 50

Sandi

Became a mother of 3 fantastic kids.
First person in my family to get a masters degree.
Funded my own education.
Raised a princess pumpkin.
Traveled to 8+ countries with more on the bucket list!

Sandi

Audrey

I was born and raised on a chicken farm in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and helped my Mom and Dad collect and candle the eggs.
I discovered through a black and white negative developed afterward exactly where Socrates had walked, taught and held philosophical discourses in Athens.
I climbed Mount Olympus behind a mule pack after a snow storm.
I adopted 2 life-long companions (my cats, Nounou and Champagne), found among thorny bushes outside a stone windmill house on a Greek Island.
I experienced war-torn Mogadishu, Somalia as a UN photographer during the period of Black Hawk Down.

Audrey

Teri

I was diagnosed dyslexic and designated Educationally Handicapped in third grade, and became the first in my family to earn 3 associate's degrees and attend University (my grandfather had a third grade education.)

I took acid.

I ran off with the circus.

I became a union stage technician in LA.

I am with my amazing husband of 20 years.

Teri, age 47

JoAnn

I learned more by living my life than studying for it in college.

I lost my soul to a poodle.

I built a successful insurance agency from scratch.

I rented a limo and pretended to be Carly Simon's back up band (who was in town playing.)

I never give up.

JoAnn

Hawk

Tried to kill myself.

Made myself proud by becoming a published Alternative model.

Partied with celebrities.

Raised my best friend/son, Weeko, from a pup.

Met the love of my life, lost the love of my life.

Hawk, age 25

Eleanor

Battled wind.

Fell off a horse.

Flew.

Met a National Geographic photographer.

Played Guitar

Eleanor, age 15

Michelle

I was born.

I gave my mom hell everyday of my teens.

I fell in love with a 1978 Camaro.

I spawned two punkrats...and love then more than my luggage!

I live. now. everyday.

Michelle, age 36

Ernest

I was a volunteer firefighter for six years, with multiple ranks including Chief Arson Investigator. I helped secure the conviction of a man for burning down a church.

I led police on a high speed pursuit, with speeds up to 150mph. I never spent time in jail for my crime.

I flew from Chicago to San Francisco for a date.

I talked someone out of committing suicide.

I performed rock music in Peru, South America in front of 2500 people.

Ernest, age 43

Jane

I parachuted out of an airplane at 3,000 feet - and lived to tell about it.

I said "No" to Steve McQueen.

I designed a cottage inside a 10,000 sq. ft. horse barn utilizing four 12'x12' stalls for the downstairs rooms.

I went to law school 16 years after getting my BA in English - hated it/never practiced law.

I prepared a barely edible dinner for 12 at the request of a friend hosting a birthday party for her mother - and years later was a successful caterer.

Jane, almost 64

Snarko

Accidentally flashed a priest.

Jumped 60 feet off a cliff at Paleface into water (lesson: cross your legs!)

Run the entire political campaign, David Van Os for Texas State Attorney General, nearly single-handedly.

Created my own tarot deck based on Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

Dyed my hair every color of the rainbow, and still do.

Snarko, age 40

Sarah

I dropped out of H.S. and got my GED.

I was addicted to crack and heroin.

I had a baby when I was 19.

I went to college, and dropped out.

I healed.

Sarah, age 29

Mireya

1982 I invent an Easy Easel, an Easy paint Keeper palette and World on waves sculpture.

2000 I design and create the First Gallery in Motion.

2003 I created an Art Museum

2005 I created the First Art Mobile Museum in USA.

2007 I create the First Art Installation with a non-toxic floating painting cubes.

Mireya, age 73

Lisa

Won money on a TV game show.

Was the first person in my family to obtain a Bachelors Degree.

Had a baby.

Found the love of my life.

Recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis, TN.

Lisa, age 57

Patti

I was a military child and lived in the Philippine Islands twice while growing up.

I went to 13 schools in 12 years.

I clean houses for a living.

I sell my mosaic and stained glass art.

I am the leader of the Military Brats Street Team group on etsy.com

Patti, age 56

Jeanne

I developed arthritis in my early 20's (after I was married to my first husband) which made me finally realize that life is short and I better get busy and make a mark in this life or I would not live a worthy life.

After receiving my bachelors degree in art, I received a divorce from my ex-husband, because he fell in love with one of his students, therefore I decided to go to grad school for art.

I had my first child (Lucas the biggest love of my life) at 42 and have raised him on my own.

At 46 I married my second husband, Michael, and for the second time developed a severe case of arthritis.

I have continued to be an artist.

Jeanne, age 47