Strength

What is strength?

  To answer this question I have to dig deep and consider what kind of strength am I contemplating.. certainly not the physical kind, while this kind of strength is astonishing at times, it is not the subject which is really on my mind. No strength, to me, comes from somewhere inside a person. Maybe it is partly a personality trait, but I believe that it develops with life experience as well.
  I like to think that I am someone with a lot of inner strength. Staying strong is my coping mechanism when times get tough and life's stresses are trying to tear me down. Looking back over the past several years I can see times that I could have easily folded, if not for my belief in this strength. I guess having confidence in my coping abilities has really been a source of strength for me, but in reality I know that most of my strength comes not only from within, but also from outside sources.
  For the past 13 years I have been learning about strength by observing someone very special, my son Andrew. Andy has an inner strength that shines through him and radiates onto everyone in his presence. He has dealt with more turmoil, sadness, and life threatening situations in his 13 years than most people deal with in their entire lives, and yet, he continues on, with his head held high, still working to conquer the world. It is the kind of strength, a willfulness, that he possesses that inspires me to continue on, even when I'm tired, or my resolve is growing thin.
  The vibrant strength that radiates from Andrew also shows itself, in another way, through my oldest son, Duston. My 15 year old has an inner beauty that is quiet and unobtrusive. He shows me on a daily basis what it means to truly be a good person. He doesn't have to try to be a good person, he just is, it's part of his being and just as strength in personality radiates from Andrew, sensitivity and compassion shine through my oldest sons eyes and touch the people that take the time to get to know him. It is the way he walks through life, just simply caring about others in his quiet way, that I draw strength from.
  Life is not easy for Duston, he has challenges that he faces daily. He has hurdles to overcome that most people don't understand. He faces every challenge he comes across, and he does his best to work through every situation without worrying any one of the people that he loves. He sacrifices himself and his needs in order to make life easier for others and he does all of this while he deals with the never ending stress that his brother's cause him. The selflessness that encompasses my son helps me to see that while my dealing with the things that happen in my life is certainly stressful, being strong is part of who I am, just like putting others before him is part of who Duston is.
  When I lose myself, when I start to feel weak, I draw strength from these two very special people in my life. So, strength to me is more than just a simple answer, it is something that comes from inside ones mind and heart, and also from what ever inspires a person to continue on.
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