Amy G

Amy and her family moved into the house beside mine when I was only in the fifth grade. They were avid surfers and socialites - a completely new class to my family who had lived in the neighborhood 17 years and knew maybe two neighbors by name. Amy was, and still is, a nurse and spent a good chunk of time in and out of the hospital. Just before New Year's a few years ago, she had a new reason to go to the hospital; her oldest child was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.

At first this meant nothing to me but that the woman had a lot to deal with. The summer before my sophomore year, I began working for the surf camp owned by Amy and her husband. I finally got to see her at work. She took all the responsibility on her shoulders.

Amy was working 90-hour weeks between the beach and the hospital. She had only a few hours of sleep before it all began again. And even then, responsibility and preparation for the next day came first.

It's inspiring to see her work so hard and still maintain her humanity. When I found something difficult, it is easy to just tell myself that 'Amy had done more.' I love getting up to work in the morning to see Amy and the other surf camp instructors in action. They all look up to her and I can see why.

Submitted by Anonymous

Hard Work