Today, it’s been 17 years since a little boy was born in Southern California with a brain hemorrhage and mild right sided Cerebal Palsy. The parents of that boy were told that his vital organs where too small for him to live past one year of age. But 17 years later here I am; I have scars down my chest and am currently awaiting another operation. I’m alive and breathing. My parent’s determination to give me a chance always MMT.

Today, at my new church (I just recently relocated) I could tell that some people were looking down on me. I assume it's because I am young, single, and my pregnancy is finally showing. But after a short while the minister came over to introduce himself, and literally shed a few tears of joy when he found out that I am a surrogate mother for my brother and his paralyzed wife. MMT

Today, I looked in the mirror for the first time in my adult life and I finally appreciated what I saw. I don’t think the girl looking back at me is the most beautiful girl, but she sure is unique – something you can’t find anywhere else. She is not the smartest, but I know she is capable. It's taken me years, but I finally like who the girl in the mirror is. MMT

Today, my little sister saved my life, and she has no idea. All she did was send me one text: "It was so great to see you yesterday. I love talking with you. And I want to start spending more time together." 22 words was all it took to stop the suicidal thoughts that had been running through my head all day. This evening I even went to my first therapy session to cope with my issues. I wish more people knew how powerful their words are. MMT

Today and every day, I find solace in the fact that I am insignificant. 1 of 7 billion, in 1 solar system of billions, in 1 galaxy of billions, in an entirely endless universe of amazing and unimaginable possibilities. I could ruin my life and do nothing, but in the scale of things, nothing really matters. If I mess up, it makes no difference. And in a backwards way, I love it. It means I have nothing to lose. This realization has helped me find the courage to make difficult decisions and take calculated risks. It’s one of the primary reasons my web start-up is going to make over six figures this year. MMT

Today, when I interviewed my grandpa for a school project, I asked him, “What’s one physical human characteristic that you think is beautiful?” He replied, “I think scars are beautiful. Regardless of whether they’re old, new, large, small, deep or shallow. Many people think scars are an imperfection of the body, but I think they are a sign of strength; they show a person’s ability to endure pain, and live through it.” MMT

Today, I swam in the ocean and wore a bikini for the first time in 8 years. Usually I have to swim with a t-shirt or a wet suit covering me. I have severe scoliosis and my body deformity has caused me to hide my body with baggy clothes and sweaters. Building this confidence has been tough, but I’m so proud of myself. I've never felt so free. MMT

Today, the truth is, I don't ever want my scars to heal. They remind me every day of what I went through when I was younger, and how far I’ve come. They are a reminder of my strength. And they make me think of the possibilities that still lie ahead. MMT

Today, I graduated early with the highest honors from Cal Berkley’s computer science department. Next week I start my fulltime job at Google. You laughed when I said I wanted to be a computer scientist. You said that being a lesbian meant that I should be a hairdresser or something, and that I would never be able to do anything useful. So who’s laughing now mom? MMT

Today, I’m tired of most of the people I have spent the last several years trying to impress. I called them my friends, but I know I was lying to myself. Fortunately, I’m lucky enough to have two true friends that I would trust my life with; so I can spend more time with them as I make this transition in my life. It used to be about popularity; now it's about finding people I can hang with, without feeling insecure. MMT

Today I was waiting in the queue to pay at the parking meter when a lady at the front didn't have enough change, I reached into my pocket and handed over 50 cents so she could pay. Later this afternoon, as it was my turn to pay at another parking meter, I reached into my pocket and I didn't have enough change left. At that moment a lady behind me in the queue offered me 75 cents so I could pay. I've never lent money to anyone, or received money from a stranger like this ever before. Both happening on the same day MMT.

Today, I ate a burger and a large coke, and I’m OK with it. Tomorrow I am going to see my therapist and tell her about it. I’m actually really proud of myself. And I know she will be proud of me too. Leaving anorexia behind and being healthy, happy and my old self for over 2.5 years now MMT.

Today, she is my wife of 27 years, and this is our story: When, I was 11, I met a girl in school and she became my best friend. When I was 13 I moved with my parent’s to the other side of the country. Then when I was 14, I was sent to a young offender’s prison for a crime I didn’t commit. So consequently we lost touch. Due to the seriousness of the crime, a lot of people that had once called themselves my friend disowned me. I felt so useless and depressed, I often thought about giving up the fight to prove my innocence. Then one day, a few days after I turned 15, I was in my cell when I received a letter from her. In one line she wrote, “I would have written to you sooner, but I didn’t know where you were. I was worried and haven’t stopped missing you.” It dawned on me then that I still had a friend in this world. And she believed in me, and believed I was innocent. And the fact that one person believed me, made me want to carry on the fight. I had my trial and got out on my 16th birthday having been found not guilty. And we married four years later. MMT

Today, my grandparents paid over $1,000 for the cleanup of their yard after Hurricane Sandy. Then this afternoon they found out my grandfather's sleep apnea machine broke. After talking to the company they found out it would cost $2,500 to replace it. They didn't know what to do not having the extra money and explained this to the rep. The rep called back 45 minutes later saying she spoke to her district manager and it would be replaced free of charge for being customers for so long. The company's generosity MMT.

Today, my roommate lost her credit card at a gas station. We tore apart her car for over an hour searching for the card, but to no avail. We looked around the station and even asked the attendant if anyone had turned it in, but again we did not find it. When we called to cancel it, someone had found it and already called and canceled it for her. The integrity shown by that anonymous person MMT.

Today, I was able to speak to a close friend on the phone for the first time since she was admitted to hospital and subsequently lost her large intestine, developed septicemia, nearly died, went into a coma, was on life support for 9 days, had both her legs amputated, and was then told last week she would also lose her right hand. Yet in the 30 minutes we were speaking, we laughed with each other almost the whole time. Such amazing strength! MMT

Today, I watched as a homeless man crossed the street with a shopping cart full of his belongings near my shop in Portland. The wheel of the cart got stuck in a small pothole and tipped the cart over, and his possessions went everywhere. A man dressed in a suit and tie stopped, got down on his hands and knees, and frantically helped the man gather his things. MMT

Today, I watched as a little boy was lost in the crowed amusement park, and running around, crying "DADDY! DADDY!" A really tall young man hurried over to comfort the boy, then proceeded to carry the boy on his shoulders, so that both father and son could find each other more easily in the large crowd. They did. MMT

Today, I am a single mother with two wonderful kids under the age of 4. I don't make much money and I get hardly any money from my ex-husband. My 16-year-old neighbor down the street visits me almost every day to entertain my kids, and give me a short break. Sometimes she even buys them small toys and takes them for a walk around the block. This afternoon I tried to pay her as a way of thanking her, and she refused. MMT

Today, I am an alcoholic. My ex-wife is an alcoholic. Our oldest son is a high school dropout, sitting in jail for selling prescription medication in school. And our youngest son is a college graduate, an entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of a successful non-profit in New York City that helps hundreds of drug addicts overcome their addictions every year. The way my son rose above the odds MMT.