Book excerpt: In this life, people encounter many unique, beautiful and exotic things. Parents, siblings, mother nature, animals (wild and tamed), and countless other things can change and mold people's lives if they take the time to observe and learn. Inside these true stories, there are miracles, hidden gems, and unique lessons in life. These stories taught the author how to have a meaningful Christian life while traversing the ever challenging valley of sorrow and joy. The lessons from these stories are universal despite being unique. Life is beautiful if one takes the time to learn from its lessons.