Day 34: Defining Moments

When a defining moment comes along, you define the moment, or the moment defines you. - Kevin Costner

Have you ever had a defining moment?

I've had a few defining moments in my life. They are the moments that you will never forget, that you will cherish for the rest of your life. The moments, that you realize what's most important to you in this world. The moments your heart is on fire, and you feel alive.

Here are a some of my defining moments:

• When my grandfather (who had Alzheimer's) opened up a Christmas present from me, and looked up at me and said "Thank You, Josh"; and knew exactly who I was. He had his moments, where he would remember, and that was my moment with him.
• The first time I saw my niece, the day she was born in the hospital on January 5, 2010.
• The day I left for the Navy, when my dad hugged me, and said he was proud of me. Then while I was in boot camp, receiving only one letter from him, and tearing up instantly when I saw the envelope had his writing on it, and that he said he loved me in the letter....one of the few times he's ever said it.
• Driving around in Alabama with my grandfather. In his beat up pick up truck, through the Army base, with the windows down. Lee Green Wood's - God Bless the USA came on the radio, without skipping a beat we both belted it out singing it. I was probably 9 or 10.
• The day my sister graduated from High School in '96, was so proud of her. Remember giving her a bouquet of flowers that had plastic bumble bees in it. She loved the flowers.
• Riding in an ambulance for the first time, when I was about 13, after a bad car accident. One of the few times I felt like I was going to die.
• Standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower, when I was 14.
• Seeing the London Bridge in person when I was 14.
• New Years Eve 1999-2000, in Miami, Florida with high school marching band.
• Watching an episode of ER with my mom, that she told me was exactly like how my birth was. Came out with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, and I was blue. She had to be rushed in to surgery immediately afterwards due to complications. Was very surreal.
• The first time I had sex.
• Going to New York City, senior year 2003 with my mom, and seeing Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island all in one day. A lot to take in.
• My high school graduation day, graduating on time even after jumping through 3 different high schools and having to scramble.
• Going to Captain's Mast while in the Navy.
• Getting Discharged from the Navy, and having to call home and tell them I was coming home, and being discharged for 'hazing'.
• Getting fired from job.
• Getting arrested.
• The first time I broke some ones heart.
• Graduating from ITT Technical Institute, and realizing I wanted to go back to school and change careers already.
• Being with my grandfather at the hospice when he passed, and his funeral with the 16 gun salute Military procession. Watching my grandmother accept the flag from the soldier, very touching moment.
• Enrolling in HFCC to work towards a Nursing degree.
• Living alone for the first time.
• The 2 times I've fallen in love, that moment, when I've realized it, and knew it was real.
• Getting my heart broken.
• Being 25 years old, and finally going to see a Dr. about ADD.

Those are just some of my defining moments. The first three are the ones that are most important to me, and that I cherish the most. Some are just small moments, with little significance, but are incredible memories, while others are huge moments that are indescribable. 

Never let a defining moment pass, without snapping an image of it in your mind. You'll cherish it forever. Remember the moments that got you there, and that brought you to where you are today. These are the moments that will make you, and break you.

Know your Defining Moments, and use them to get to your future.