First of all, five years of therapy didn't come close to all that has happened to me from reading and thinking daily about everything that is discussed on this list, in terms of personal growth. As Pam said, not only have I learned tons about unschooling and life-learning, but I've also been learning about relationships, about parenting, and ultimately about myself—everything seems to come hand in hand! ;)

Secondly, a few years ago, before my daughter was even born, I recommended my therapist to a friend's wife. I trusted my therapist, thought she was the best. Well, my friend and his wife split up in January this year. They have a twelve year old son and had been together for almost twenty years. She's off with a new boyfriend, but with so many things still to be worked out inside herself (I know, I was a lot like her). I feel like apologizing to my friend now... Of course I don't know the details of everything that happened, but I do know that, had she been advised in another direction (other than "listen to your heart" or "listen to what you need", "focus on yourself now", which is what I'm guessing she was told), maybe they would still be together. From reading on this list and Sandra's site and book and the chats and thinking about all this on a daily basis, plus from my own personal experience already, what I do know now is that people can turn their lives around, they can turn their relationships around.

So, not even in most therapeutical relationships can a person find what I've found here, I'd say. There are tons of so-called experts out there that seem to not have a clue about how human beings work on so many levels! Plus, where can you find free therapeutical relationships that can take place on a daily basis?

I think this list and the work and dedication of such wonderful women like Sandra, Pam, Joyce, Schuyler, Brie, Meredith, Alex, Jenny, Robin, just to name a few, are priceless. I feel so blessed to have found it, to have found all of you. I'll be forever grateful for what you do, it's life-changing and world-changing, one family at a time.

Thank you Sandra, for dedicating yourself the way you do. You are such a special person. I'd also like to thank the moderators of the list for keeping it so solid, so grounded -- if it weren't for you, how could we be sure that what was being said here would lead us to more joyful and peaceful lives with our kids, with our partners, with ourselves? In my opinion, your hard work is what gives credibility to the information that is shared here. It was what it took to convince me to try what you were advising! Thank you to everyone who kindly and generously contributes to this list, with your insights of how things happened for you, I don't know if you can imagine how important it has been in our lives. You guys totally rock my world. :)))

Some have been curious why I have not chosen to "take refuge", which is a little ceremony to declare that you trust that the dharma (Buddhist teachings) are your "bottom line" in how you choose to live your life. Most people who stick around the centre do so after a few months. Well, for me, I have a second, secular, bottom line, and that is the wisdom of this list.