Perseverance

In the realm of ideas, everything depends on enthusiasm; in the real world, all rests on perseverance.”

— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Perseverance is defined in Webster’s dictionary as being “ the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult”. In my life, perseverance is my creed; it is in my blood. As a little girl, I would watch my grandmother work, care for her family, care for others (often people that the world had turned away from), as well as friends and any and everybody in between. She was not rich in material things and sometimes I would wonder how she could do so much for so many people continuously without losing her zeal. She never drove a car a day in her life. She once told me that she just did not trust the open road. She did attend college for a time but had to return to the farm in the “Skillet” because her family needed her to help so, she gave up her aspirations to be a cosmetologist and became a well-loved cook at the Glass House. Now, in order for you to know what the Glass House restaurant is, you have to be from the metropolis of Latta, SC and you have to be of a certain age! Nevertheless, she touched many people and she would fight every day to do the best she could. I learned with her that no matter the obstacle, you must continue. Life is full of trials, but you must continue to fight in order to win. Perseverance- it is what makes a mother who has been up with a newborn all night, still make it to work on time each day. Perseverance-it is what makes the father who has worked all night, still make it to his child’s school performance later the same morning. Perseverance-it is what drives the boy whose parents are addicts to continue to go to school and do well even though the condition of his life is one of degradation. Perseverance-it it what makes that teen mother continue to go to school and work for a better life for her child and herself when the father is nowhere to be found. Persevere through the obstacles. God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.

 

Peace & Love,

Andréa