Emma H

My grandmother is the one person that has been in my life on a daily basis, for what I can remember, around the age of about 12. She was there, but because my parents divorced when I was 3 years old, I only saw her every other weekend. I moved in with my dad when I was 12, and I found that having her presence in my life gave me knowledge about life and God to make my life what it is today. Her life has been, I guess like many others. She had seven children, one has suffered from a severe mental issue for nearly 40 to 45 years. As for the rest of the children, they also suffer mental issues, most likely stemming from my Grandfather's sudden and tragic death in a peanut combine while harvesting with the youngest son. Today she is 92 years old, and has begun to decline in health after one of my uncles death. During the years after her husbands death, she held her head up, believed in God, and made the best of what she had. She raised twins that were about 13 years old and two other children that were still in school. She was and still is the most strong willed, good hearted Christian person in my life. I worked on the farm with my dad, and many days were long and strenuous for me, being that I was about 14 years old. She would always be there when I had to take a break from working/fighting with my dad. She would fix me a glass of orange juice, and tell me about life. She gave me life lessons that have stuck with me, and has helped me accept each day as it comes. There are many things she would say on those days that I needed a break, but one is: "That life gets harder everyday as we get older, and not to expect for that to change." Her words have played true with every aspect in my life. Not very long ago, she and I spoke about life and God. As I am know just about to turn 35 in April, she is not far from the end of her life. I've never lost a close family member, so I see it being quite difficult on me. I know she has long life and she has certainly left her inspiration on me. And, as I look back at her life, I can say her words have rung true. I will miss you Grandmother.

Submitted by Anonymous

Optimism