Overcoming Adversity

In life, many are faced with obstacles that challenge them. The challenges can be simple or large. No matter the obstacle or challenge the person is facing, it is to them a great battle. There are two very important people that I admire that faced adversity and similar struggles, they overcame them in their own ways. I will try to compare their journeys even though they were different ages and of a different time period. I will try to relate how through prayer, faith and family support they were able to overcome their adversities in similar ways. These are two different people who inspired me through their strengths, weaknesses and family values.
The first struggle they faced was sickness. My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer

and my great grandmother was diagnosed with diabetes. They were both great illnesses that if were gone untreated could take their lives. Through this illness my Aunt Kylie had to go to the doctor for chemotherapy treatments at the hospital. Similarly my great grandma had to make visits to the hospital as well. She went for her dialysis. These long drives could take their toll on a weak individual and sick person. I saw my Aunt struggle to get up some days for these journeys. My great grandma also struggled with the drive due to her weakness and age. They inspired me through their journey that things may get difficult, but don’t quit keep trying and keeping believing it will all be worth it.
Next I want to talk about how they both learned to believe in prayer and have faith throughout the battles in their lives. They inspired me to also have faith even when I couldn't see the answers. Aunt Kylie through her illness leaned on prayer and the faith of others prayers for strength. They prayed and believed she would be healed. I admired the faith she had throughout this walk, even when things didn’t look good her faith never wavered. She didn't have the strength to stand, all her hair fell out and the bills started piling up, she still stood firm that God would provide. I admired my great grandma faith as well. Over 68 years ago she was married and over time had nine children to raise in paroles times. Some days she didn't know where their next meal would come from but she took her kids to church they gave thanks over every meal and prayed every night before bed. She had faith that through faith, God would provide. From when the pantries were empty, to children being sick, to the kids needing new shoes. They prayed and put their faith in God and he provided for them. I admire both walks with their faith. My aunt is now cancer free and my great grandma and her family never went without the main things they needed. This inspires me to pray more and have faith in God that he is a provider and a healer.
This paragraph will focus on the family lives and how they were altered throughout their struggles.

When diagnosed with breast cancer my Aunt Kylie still had two small children at home to take care of and also still tried to maintain her job as a school teacher. She had people that stepped up and helped her through this time. Family members supported her by helping pick up kids and helped prepare meals for the family. Her co-workers and boss were very supportive during this difficult time. One of the things I admired was the out pouring of support through family and friends. Her co-workers and even teachers from other schools gave up some of their vacation days so that while she was down she didn't have to lose her pay. She was given over 100 days. I admire that people wanted to help and support. My great grandma had a similar situation that she had to struggle with and had it not been for family support she couldn't have done it. She had nine girls and was a young lady herself raising and caring for these children. She was faced with adopting and taking care of four other children after a family member died. My great grandma already struggling to provide for her nine small children, took in these children and raised them as her own. She had family members step up to help with providing clothes for the children. Her sister- n- laws helped with getting children to doctor visits but not just that, they were there for moral support. They supported her desire to want to be a

mother to these children. I admire that she took on such a great burden and turned it into a beautiful experience. She raised these children as her own with lots of love, faith and family support.
Whether you look at my Aunt Kylie's situation or my great grandma’s situation, you can find somehow to relate to both.

Both of them struggled financially. To help out my Aunt Kylie, they sold shirts and did several fundraisers to help them out with the numerous bills they had from the numerous treatments and surgeries. When it came to my great grandma she also had lots of financial struggles when it came to raising thirteen children and providing for her and her husband’s needs as well. There were times they done without so that all the children had what they needed. Even though people were not well off back then, they still donated food and clothes to help with the financial needs of their family. So even though they were both in different situations, they both had financial hardship that they had to endure and yet they found ways and with the help of family and friend, were able to get through these hard times. This inspired me to be a giver to those in need and try to help others that may not be as fortunate as I have

been.
I admire both my aunt and great grandma for their way of dealing with their struggles. Even though they weren't the same situation they dealt with them in similar ways. They dealt with these battles through prayer, family support and great strengths. They inspired me that even though when things look bad or things are not happening the way you think they should, or you don't have the answers, you can't give up and you have to keep trying. You need to keep searching for a solution to the problem at hand. I think through watching and hearing both of their struggles I am inspired that through adversity there is a way to overcome. I appreciate them sharing their experiences and struggles even though they were different they had so many similarities. No matter what you’re facing someone near you may not have your exact struggle but it may be very similar and to them it is a battle that means so much to them.