Ever wonder if you're becoming a better person, or just getting older?

Vicky Marie Kelly was 27 when lupus hit, leading to three kidney transplants, dialysis, broken bones, and now stage 4 cancer caused by the medications that kept her alive for 37 years.

While writing what she thought would be a gentle memoir for her grandchildren, Vicky stumbled onto a question: How do you measure whether you've actually grown as a person?

She identifies three types of maturity worth exploring: emotional, spiritual, and relational.

• Can you manage your reactions when life explodes?
• Can you trust God when nothing makes sense?
• Can you love people without trying to fix them?

Vicky hasn't mastered any of these, but through raising two adopted daughters, building a 32-year marriage, losing parents and friends, and facing terminal illness, she can see real progress.

Vicky says she highly recommends terminal cancer, even though she wouldn't wish it on anyone.