In 2012, my family suffered multiple tragedies that shook us all to the core and reminded us, all too harshly, just how vulnerable and fragile is life. I spent a lot of time in support groups, listening to people talk about their stories of survival and successes and failures — the whole gamut of what it meant to be human.

These experiences made me realize that, even though we may not realize it, we all have a story to tell. And yet, in our fame and celebrity-obsessed culture, we tend to only think of the achievements of news-makers, movie stars, athletes and musicians. We may be completely unaware that our neighbor may have parachuted into Normandy, or that the local librarian may have marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., or that the pediatrician may have cut their teeth in Doctors Without Borders. Success and failure in my opinion is too often determined by the size of a house or a bank account and not be contribution to the community, personal successes, and sacrifice.

In this online journal or publication, I hope to celebrate the community and the successes and milestones of people who may not have made the front page, but have still achieved some great success in their personal and professional lives.

I sincerely hope you enjoy what you read!

Thank you,

Matt Mallio