What’s a chapter of your life you’d title “The Hard Years” — and what got you through it?

Most people would say that, compared to the majority of humans on earth, most Americans have it pretty easy. I feel bad talking about my “hard years” when cities are being bombed, children are starving, and some people don’t have clean drinking water.

Of course, I have had bad things happen to me. But I also have many blessings. My parents died, but my grandchildren are healthy and strong. My husband was sick and I watched him suffer, but he is suffering no more. My spouse died, and I miss him every day, but I still have my children. There were times when I didn’t have money for food, but I still ate. I drove old cars that often broke down, but I somehow always made it to work. My house is old, but it’s mine and it’s home.

We are only as strong as we have to be. Thank God, I haven’t had to be as strong as so many others. I have only faced the hard times that challenged me in my life, and they were difficult enough for me.