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During Erikson's first stage of development, children develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliable care and affection. The key question being answered here is "Is my world safe?" and the virtue developed as a result of this stage is "Hope".

Even though my mother was the youngest of 8, she was always well taken care of. My grandmother said she was a content baby because she was always cared for by her parents and older siblings. This is an example of trust.

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During the second stage of development, children develop a sense of independence and personal control over physical skills. Success leads to feelings of autonomy, where children know that they have control over themselves and the choices they make. The key question being answered here is "Can I do things by myself, or will I always need to rely on others?". The virtue developed after this stage is “Will”.

My mom has always been independent. She resolved the conflict of autonomy vs. shame/doubt when she was around 2 years old. Everyone that knows my grandmother calls her Madea, including her kids. Despite all the training and hearing others say Madea, my mom chose to call her mom "mama". And to this day, that is what she calls her.

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The third stage of development is when preschool-aged children need to begin asserting control and power over the environment through play and exploration. The key question being answered here is "Am I good or bad?". The virtue developed after this stage is “Purpose”.

My mom showed purpose and initiative at an early age. She was reading full sentences by the age of 3.

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During Erikson’s fourth stage of development, children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Children become immersed in the education system. They engage in more peer interactions and begin learning how to juggle school and friends. The key question being answered here is "How can I be good?". The virtue developed after this stage is “Competency”.

My mom was a part of the gifted program in school. She never felt a sense of inferiority until she was in 4th grade. She was in a spelling bee and fumbled on the word 'bureau.' She overcame this crisis by studying more and not relying solely on her intelligence to get by.

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Erikson’s fifth stage of development is crucial because it is the stage between childhood and adulthood. During this stage, adolescents and teenagers develop a sense of self and personal identity. Success in this stage leads to a strong belief of who you are and the ability to stay true to yourself. Failure in this stage leads to a lack of identity, confusion and not knowing your role in the world. The key question being answered here is "Who am I and where am I going?". The virtue developed after this stage is “Fidelity”.

My mom knew who she wanted to be and what she wanted to do by the time she entered middle school. Her personal identity was shaped by her environment. She saw what her siblings went through and decided she wanted better. She became the "nerd" of the family, but she developed a sense of purpose at an early age.

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During the sixth stage of development, young adults need to form intimate and loving relationships with other people. The outcome of this stage is dependent on the success or failure of stage 5 because having a strong personal identity is crucial to developing strong and intimate relationships. Success in this stage will result to healthy and happy relationships that are secure and long-lasting. Failure results in loneliness and isolation. The key question being answered here is "Am I loved and wanted?". The virtue developed after this stage is “Love”.

My mom grew up in a really big family. She was involved in a lot of different activities in high school, so she always had temporary school friends. When she went off to college, she felt like she needed deeper relationships and decided to join a sorority. That gave her the opportunity to open up and form an unbreakable bond with her sorority sisters.

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The seventh stage of development happens during middle adulthood. Adults need to create or nurture things that will outlast them and look for the long-term impact they have had on others. Success will lead to feeling like a valuable member of society, as if you left a mark on the world for generations to come. Failure will lead to feelings of unproductivity, unusefulness and disconnection from the world. The key question being answered here is "Will I provide something of real value?”. The virtue developed after this stage is “Care”.

This is the stage my mom is in now. During this stage, at one point she felt like the work she was doing in her ministry wasn't enough. She felt stagnant until she went on her 1st mission's trip to Venezuela. She saw the difference she was making, and needs being fulfilled. Since then, she has been to Cuba, Thailand, parts of Africa and Indonesia.

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Erikson's eighth and final stage of development is the reflection stage. Older adults need to look back on their life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success in this stage leads to feelings of wisdom and peace. Failure results in regrets, bitterness and despair. The key question being answered here is “Have I lived a full life?” and the virtue developed as a result of this stage is "Wisdom".

After talking with my mom, she feels that she might look back and feel like there was still more that she could have done to bring about change in her community.