Shirley

Married my college sweetheart and still love him.

Was robbed at gunpoint and survived unharmed.

Had beautiful creative children, lost one.

Today she would be 25 and no one spoke her name not even me.

I make art, always have, always will.

Shirl, age 58

Farnaz

Moved to the U.S. at age 22.

Came out to my family and told them "I'm gay" at the age 24/25.

Working on my MA at the age of 30 and 3 months.

Grew some balls for the first time and told the girl I love how I feel at the age of 30 and 5 months.

Living and will live my life at the age of 30+.

Farnaz, age 30

Erika

Wrapped myself in Sausage casing.

Worked three jobs to get myself through my masters.

Donated bone marrow to a stranger.

Broke up a fight on Halloween between a 6 foot tall Chipmunk and a gangster.

Regularly goes to 6am Yoga.

Erika, age 27

Connie

I was expelled from second grade for being incorrigible after telling the teacher exactly what I thought of her, using language that I shouldn't have known, but it felt so good!

I rode a bicycle for the first time at age 15 and a month later entered a 100Km race, finishing in fourth place.

I fell asleep on the subway and rode to the end of the line before someone woke me up. I had no idea where I was, having never been there before.

I made love to a sales girl in the dressing room of a high class department store while in university. It was totally spontaneous. I never knew I was bisexual. We were inseparable lovers for nearly 35 years. Our husbands always suspected but never knew for certain.

I sent over 2000 Christmas cards one year, to nearly everyone I had ever met. It seemed like a fun thing to do but took me a month to write them all out.

Connie, age 66

Rosalind

Have had a Norwegian pen-pal for 60+ years.

Caught sailfish off the Venezuelan coast.

Went Hot Air Ballooning in Palm Desert.

Met Cassius Clay in NYC.

Thriving after three open-heart surgeries.

Rosalind

Kasey

Decided at age 6 that I would live in NYC and moved there 17 years later.

Spent my last $24 on a packet of cigarettes and The Muppets Take Manhattan on DVD.

Pooped in my pants on 5th Avenue.

Risked losing someone I love because I wasn't ready to receive it in return.

Proposed on one knee, when I got her back.

Kasey, age 30

Elle

I had my poetry published.

I ate strawberries off the vine in Japan.

I dreamt I could fly.

I had my car stolen, and got it back in decent shape.

I met my soulmate.

Elle, 23

Laura

1. I saw a blind man at the Whitney during the 2004 Biennial- he had a friend with him who was describing the art on the walls.
2. I broke my HIV+ mother's arm when she came charging at me, bloody mouthed, hopped up on pills and alcohol, trying to bite me.
3. I camped out on a beach in Taiwan with two friends, a campfire, and our switchblades.
4. I ate mushrooms and went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and saw everything come to life.
5. I fell in love, and may or may not still be in it.

Laura, 26

Jen

I told a girl she couldn't spell Timbuktu and she punched me in the face (I didn't know she was dyslexic…oops).

Decided they could not talk to me like that, so I resigned.

Admitted I needed therapy and went.

Embraced death and learned to celebrate life.

I worked hard for love…and succeeded.

Jen, age 36

Dennis

I drove a car over 500 kilometers on the highway with no brakes.

I climbed atop a water tower and stripped off nude and stayed near the top all day and night.

I met a relative I never saw before in line at an amusement park far from either one's home, it was just a random conversation with a stranger until we realized that we were cousins.

I was asked to leave a high school dance along with my date at age 14 because the chaperone thought our dancing was too intimate and vulgar. Alicia had the softest bottom and breasts, and was thoroughly enjoying having me rub them.

I spent a year walking through the London area and exploring the sights, without ever having a room to stay in for even one night.

Dennis, age 54

Kristin

I went to high school prom with my soul-mate.

At 13, stopped my best friend from succeeding in killing herself.

I rear-ended a car.

I went to art school and have a job designing products for a national retail chain.

I conquered years of crippling anxiety through therapy and psychopharmacological drugs.

Kristin, age 22

Alicia

Graduated from a great art school and freaked out about what I need to do to get a masters.

Got in a heated argument with a girl when she said men can't be feminists.

Didn't quit anything when someone said I should based on my chronic illnesses.

Failed Alberga One just a to turn around and ace it in summer school.

Read a 500 page book in one day just because.

Alicia, age 23

Siobhan

I have lived in the same house I was born in since 1947, was raised there by my grandmother who was super strict and spanked me until I was 21.

I have never drank or smoked, did not date until I was 32 and did not have sexual intercourse until I was married at age 36.

I have held the same job which I started the day after High School graduation for 47 years.

I walked nude down a European gay beach in front of at least 500 nude men at age 28 on a dare from my girl friends who would not accompany me.

I did it to shock my grandmother who was furious when we told her.

I have modeled in the nude dozens of times starting at age 40 for art classes, artists, and photographers to boost my self image. I still do it as often as I can and enjoy every opportunity. Things work out in the end.

Siobhan age 65

Terra

I paint for a living, it's hedonistic but it's working (believe it or not).

I left a few dirty champagne glasses out overnight and in the morning they were covered in ants.

I realized that I have a voyeur but am I am too lazy to hang thicker curtains.

I drank a pot of weak coffee this morning as I chipped away at my next piece.

I blow-dried my hair before walking out into the rain.

Terra, age 22

Chesley

I visited a friend in Paris for 14 hours from Amsterdam.
I spent three weeks in Mountain Kaisgau in Kenya interviewing traditional basket weavers around the mountain.
I visited as many hotels as possible in Las Vegas within a week.
I participated in a natural dye workshop with fruits and vegetables.
I reached out to a friend in tears.

Chesley, age 27

Santiago

Not just going but go to the gym.

Committed to a three-way relationship.

Claimed my Jobseeker allowance for the first time after 12 years working in UK.

Had beard since my 20's.

Stop buying clothes that "it will fit me when I loose some weight."

Santiago, age 33

Amy

I modeled in the nude for a "painter" I met while I was working as a barista at Borders bookstore. He paid me $20/hour.

I witnessed the birth of my niece with my mother who grabbed me and shouted "Oh my god Amy,"as her head, like an alien, emerged from my sister. Then I took my niece's first picture with my camera phone. Her eyes were open and I saw her see me for the first time.

I had my first self-induced orgasm when I was 22 years old.

I met my life partner Ethan on a free online dating service called lava life. We laugh and say mockingly "thank you lava."

I created/directed a dance performance for my Master of fine arts thesis project that to me reflected the first piece I've ever made that I was truly proud of and that felt like me and not someone else.

Amy, age 32

Heather

Completely turned my life around from hopeless drug addiction.

Wrote and baked my own cookie recipe at age 6.

Rescued and re-socialized 3 dogs.

Cried and puked for weeks with a heart so broken I lost almost 30 lbs, turns out he dumped me for being chubby. The "skinny" me realized she didn't want him back when he turned his head again.

Became a mother and realized just how deeply my own mother loves me.

Heather, age 33

Brittney

I have lied.

I have created.

I have stayed in one place.

I gave my body to reproduction.

I have lost who I am.

Brittney, age 27

Sujata

I got my first ever water slide accident scar on my elbow after I finished my sliding down the Cyclone at Wild Water Kingdom!

There was one minute left while jumping on a children's trampoline at Canada's Wonderland to let the person know I wanted to attempt do a somersault, I did two of them!

Ended up repeating Kindergarden twice!

Won two claim cases with the Ontario Labour board.

When I was a kid, I learned to play an Indian instrument called an harmonium, the keys are similar to piano with different sounds and notes. I was taking Indian/Bengali music lessons. I got entered into a local children show, a bunch of kids sat on the harmonium. When I came to my turn to sing and perform with harmonium, I just froze! I never did to any performance.

Sujata, age 42

Kara

Found something that I am passionate about.

Lived a complete lie thus far.

Wished death upon my father.

Get a second chance.

Hide who I really am.

Kara, age 18

C

Devoting myself to learning/understanding/knowing Spiritual Mastery (14 years strong and still evolving).
"Ethically" sold crack (never trying it or using it myself, no first time users allowed - no getting non-users hooked, no custy's under 18 y.o., no pregnant women sold to, no fake placebos offered) for over 3 years full-time and thankfully never got caught (yeah, I know, it's fucked up but, I was young and ignorant at the time).
Quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey (7 years no cigarettes!)
Was a uber-prolific youth activist (from 19 y.o. - 26 y.o.) and was actively responsible for being a founding member of numerous Youth committees/sub-committees throughout Toronto/GTA (many of which are still active today).
All voluntary, and yet I still didn't/have not 'sold-out' to any of the so called "PTB", and remained committed to being of service to truly helping especially the marginalized.
Created own, unique, one of a kind brand (and possibly even genre) of poetry.

C, age 42 years young

Claire

In Nursery I made a clay snail so good it was presented to the principle...and sadly never saw it again.

I drew felt tip pictures and sold them to my family member for 10p each.

I won an award for my degree work and used the prize money to buy two tree frogs.

Panicked when I learned my mum had cancer and didn't make any art in my studio for days.

I immersed myself in sculpting and drawing to not focus on the bad things around me and discovered a new material to work with.

I won an award in London for my artwork and sold it for a lot more the 10p...and mum got the all clear.

Claire, age 24

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