My Great Grandmother Knows About Suffering - by Sierra Miller

Suffering is something usually felt by all. Everyone seems to deal with suffering in their own way. One person, I have seen suffer is my Great Grandmother. She has gone through many trials throughout her life. But, she has still remained strong and a faithful Christian through everything. She lived through the Great Depression during the 1930's. She has helped her daughter through two divorces, has dealt with the death of her parents and the death of the love of her life. Recently, she dealt with some loss of vision in her right eye and many effects of old age.  For as long as I can remember, no matter what my Grandmother has been going through, she has been there for everyone.

One trial, I have personally seen her go through is the death of her son due to cancer. This year, she went through a whirlwind of emotions because of his death. Even when people were rude, hurtful and overbearing, I never saw her grow bitter towards them. Even with the emotional stress she was going through, she remained strong and was always there to listen and talk to everyone that came in her home. As I watched her deal with this hard time, I saw her inter strength come out. I saw how she handled pain and how she never tried to act miserable even when her heart was breaking.  The months after her son's death were also painful. But she handled them with grace; she has been forgiving and has now made it through the trial.

My Grandmother has taught me many things. One of the things she has taught me is how to be strong. She has gone through so much but has never given up. She has inspired me to always keep moving forward, to cling to God and to always remember that whatever trials I am going through, I will come out braver and stronger. My Grandmother Skelton continues to inspire me. She is strong, independent and sometimes stubborn. She is the kind of woman I would love to become.