About eighteen years ago, I was in a car accident that was nearly fatal. I was making an unprotected left turn and was distracted for just a moment, but it was long enough for me to miss the oncoming semi-truck barreling through the intersection. There are moments in our lives that define who we are and where we have been and what we will become. This was one of those moments.

Innocently sitting in my passenger seat was a five year old and in the back seat was a three year old: my two young daughters. I was able to turn out but not quickly enough to avoid an accident completely. There was still a horrible collision but no one was injured. Yes, the car was totaled and yes, my life flashed before my eyes. But, thankfully, we all walked away from a potentially grave situation.

Yesterday, that once five-year old received her Bachelor's degree from Cal State Fullerton where she delivered a brilliant commencement speech. Additionally, she was accepted into grad school and will be starting the next steps of her academia in the fall. She is the first on her father's side to graduate from college. There are moments in our lives that define who we are and where we have been and what we will become. This was one of those moments.

How is it that we sometimes get so caught up just living life that when these moments eventually arrive, they catch us by complete surprise? It is nice to reflect and realize that life keeps moving, children grow up, lessons are learned or re-learned and we are not alone. It is easy for me to always say, I could have done better, I could have been a better mom and of course, I am sure I could have been - we all can do better. But given life as it is handed to each of us, I think we all pretty much do the best we can. That may be an innocent view, but it is how I feel.

The path we choose is not the same as the path we get dropped in on. Hopefully, they meet somewhere in the middle and all goes according to some sort of plan. I don't think my defining moments are over, not by any means. But it is nice to let go of the helm for a bit and know that someone else has control of this one now, and obviously, has had for a while.