What Do You Consider Your Greatest Achievement So Far?

[Taffi Abernathy]

Approximately one year ago or more, I asked a similiar question here and was impressed with the wide range of answers. Given the way TRF has grown in leaps and bounds, I am again inquiring as to which of your achievements make you most proud? While it feels good to get public recognition for your endeavors, what counts most is what you think and how you feel about your achievements.

[Kapture1]

Wonderful question. I will have to say my family. More of a tie between marrying the love of my life and that my first child will be here August 17th. A crown for every Achievement.

[OrchidDR]

I would be hard pressed to name just one achievement.

Married 22+ years (to the same woman no less)
Raised a wonderful 20 year old son that is an excellent human being.
That I've achieved success in my chosen career path and have given scores of students the opportunity to succeed.

The list goes on....

ps. Good question.

[Goodwatch]

In 1996 I completed the 150 KM edition of the Amstel Gold Race in Limburg, The Netherlands. This is an annual bicycle race, for the pros a 'classic', that is divided into several distances and classes.

I've never had to endure so much pain and soul searching as in that race. At the finish I fell into Anne's arms and almost had to cry.

During dinner that evening I almost fell asleep and when we went to bed in our hotel room later that same evening my head didn't even have to touch the pillow to fall fast asleep.

After that it must have been my tour of duty in Lebanon in 1979-1980.

[spuds]

Cliche I know but without hesitation & without apology my children.

My own childhood was somewhat ........ 'disturbed?' (ie: uber-violent alcoholic paranoid schizophrenic womanising father but that's another story altogether!!) & according to the little I've read on the subject (although Faith I'm sure you can correct me if I'm wrong & please do if I am) there's supposedly a huge chance that 'history repeats itself' & theoretically at least.... I'm apparently 'odds on' to slap the crap outa my kids & raise stereotypical 'problem children'.


Yet while my kids are certainly no angels (who'd want their kids to be?) I can honestly say that every single person that I know.....
from family to friends to teachers & even their (part-time) employers now....
only has positive things to say about my children.



I don't think anything else will ever top that.





Incidentally Faith........ Yours??

[Mockingbird]

Ran the Chicago marathon last year! I trained for about three years (I had never ran seriously until then) and finally, after a huge amount of hard work I finished in four hours and twenty minutes!

[STEELINOX]

Recently, I passed my Board exams !

[spuds]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Recently, I passed my Board exams !

and to be fair Randy you do look damn good in a hat!!

[joeychitwood]

I've had success in many aspects of life to which people attach value, but what I am most proud of is raising three daughters who are happy, healthy and well-adjusted.

[daveathall]

Both my children, now grown up, are good people, I would like to think that I am in some small way responsible for them being so.

[Dilemma]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I've had success in many aspects of life to which people attach value, but what I am most proud of is raising three daughters who are happy, healthy and well-adjusted.

Your wife must be dangerously attractive. Those are some pretty children, and I can SEE your picture,,,,,,,,,,

[swissautopro]

This is an easy one. My son. He's never been in trouble, is a homeowner at 20 years old, has more net worth at 20 than the typical 60 year old American, is a genuinely good person, and has a work ethic from a bygone era. I am very fortunate.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Dilemma

Your wife must be dangerously attractive. Those are some pretty children, and I can SEE your picture,,,,,,,,,,

I definitely married beyond my rank. Thank goodness the girls took after her. Mrs. Chitwood is 54 years old, but doesn't look it. I on the other hand..... The daughter in the middle is 26 and my oldest on the right is 30.

[Dilemma]

Who is the future bride in this photo??

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Dilemma

Who is the future bride in this photo??

The girl in the middle.

[figbo]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I definitely married beyond my rank. Thank goodness the girls took after her. Mrs. Chitwood is 54 years old, but doesn't look it. I on the other hand..... The daughter in the middle is 26 and my oldest on the right is 30.


[IMG][/IMG]

Stop the press,who's the hottie on the left?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by figbo

Stop the press,who's the hottie on the left?

That would be the little woman, Mrs. Chitwood.

[figbo]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

That would be the little woman, Mrs. Chitwood.

Wow,I wouldn't know the difference between them!

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by figbo

Wow,I wouldn't know the difference between them!

She would be flattered. I guess another achievement I'm proud of would be staying married for 33 years to the same wonderful person.

[STEELINOX]

Originally Posted by spuds

and to be fair Randy you do look damn good in a hat!!

Thanks !

[figbo]

Originally Posted by STEELINOX

Thanks !

I love you too Randy!

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by spuds

Cliche I know but without hesitation & without apology my children.

My own childhood was somewhat ........ 'disturbed?' (ie: uber-violent alcoholic paranoid schizophrenic womanising father but that's another story altogether!!) & according to the little I've read on the subject (although Faith I'm sure you can correct me if I'm wrong & please do if I am) there's supposedly a huge chance that 'history repeats itself' & theoretically at least.... I'm apparently 'odds on' to slap the crap outa my kids & raise stereotypical 'problem children'.


Yet while my kids are certainly no angels (who'd want their kids to be?) I can honestly say that every single person that I know.....
from family to friends to teachers & even their (part-time) employers now....
only has positive things to say about my children.



I don't think anything else will ever top that.





Incidentally Faith........ Yours??

Dan,

You have an awful lot to be proud of here, especially considering that your father did not behave like a role model you wanted to emulate. I am impressed! (It sounds like you became the role model you wanted to have.)

I'm most proud of the fact that I developed a fear and phobia treatment program that helped people confront their fears and overcome debilitating phobias. Interestingly, one of the program's graduates had a sister who was a tv producer. The sister invited me to be a guest on a talk show which aired live in 3 million homes. I was frightened but I went on the show (with a live studio audience asking unscripted questions). I figured that if I was in a position to help others face their fears then I needed to face mine as well. Regards, Faith

[rsg]

Originally Posted by spuds

Cliche I know but without hesitation & without apology my children.

My own childhood was somewhat ........ 'disturbed?' (ie: uber-violent alcoholic paranoid schizophrenic womanising father but that's another story altogether!!) & according to the little I've read on the subject (although Faith I'm sure you can correct me if I'm wrong & please do if I am) there's supposedly a huge chance that 'history repeats itself' & theoretically at least.... I'm apparently 'odds on' to slap the crap outa my kids & raise stereotypical 'problem children'.


Yet while my kids are certainly no angels (who'd want their kids to be?) I can honestly say that every single person that I know.....
from family to friends to teachers & even their (part-time) employers now....
only has positive things to say about my children.



I don't think anything else will ever top that.





Incidentally Faith........ Yours??

Again, you and I have a lot in common. It's almost scary.

I think from now on I will just follow your posts with "ditto".

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by rsg

Again, you and I have a lot in common. It's almost scary.

I think from now on I will just follow your posts with "ditto".

Spuds is one of the best guys on this whole bloody forum.



I'm most proud of the life my wife and I have made for ourselves. I go to bed every night content and worry about nothing. I do NOTHING illegal and my family is very well respected in the community. That is all for now.

[larsr]

My greatest achievement happens every morning that I wake up still breathing and can get on with another day of life...

[shandy]

You will understand this Faith as I have shared some life experiences with you.

But I think my greatest achievement has been turning early experiences in childhood into something that creates a postive effect in the world which I think is the ultimate way to turn something very bad into very good!

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by shandy

You will understand this Faith as I have shared some life experiences with you.

But I think my greatest achievement has been turning early experiences in childhood into something that creates a postive effect in the world which I think is the ultimate way to turn something very bad into very good!

There is no greater achievement than this, since using your experience in the service of helping others, frees you to move forward with your life. You are truly a special person, Ian.

[axxeman01]

I also have difficulty pointing to a single, specific triumph. I agree with some of the other posters here; I think my greatest achievement was defying the odds (and my 2nd grade teachers who said I was a troublemaker and never paid attention (no kidding, went through my old report cards last night)), and becoming a professional with a masters degree and a great job/wife/kids. It's the journey!

- Chris

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I definitely married beyond my rank. Thank goodness the girls took after her. Mrs. Chitwood is 54 years old, but doesn't look it. I on the other hand..... The daughter in the middle is 26 and my oldest on the right is 30.

Wait.....hold the phone. The young lady on the left is the Mrs? And you have been married to her since I was 8 years old?




Dude, it's just not cool to mess with us like that.



They look like good Minnesota nordic stock.

[dalip]

Great question and already some extraordinary responses..

For me ... (and I know this may be perceived as touch cliche...but hey!).....Well it has to be managing to find a certain "peace".

Only child, mum and dad who always fought...split up...back together....abusive relationship....I adored my mum...adored her..She was my world. She died tragically in a car crash when I was 14 hrs old..

I have had to do some hard work over the past years.. To forgive my dad which I have...completely..but it took some time and only really happened when I was 35. He is a wonderful man..I had to find a way to stop being angry....and to discover trust and intimacy in my relationships.

So, what i am most proud off is quite simply that I am now sitting in a beautiful, loving marriage....my gorgeous wife and this little boy.....





at 44 I reckoned I may have recovered too late.....(but there's an important lesson in that thought - - oh the arm bandages are because I decided to come flying off my cycle in a local Masters tournament - something else I'm proud of in terms of personal achievements....not falling but racing !!!!......)