My niece, Celia (13), was told to write a persuasive essay using a chosen character trait.  She chose Optimism and wrote about my Mom.  I am unbelievably proud of Celia and my Mom.

How my optimism helps me overcome obstacles

By: Celia Smith

1.4 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year.  I never thought my grandmother would be one of them. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, she’s gone through chemo-therapy once and right now she is going through it for her second time. I remember when she found out she had cancer. My family was visiting her in Texas and she knew she was sick but she wasn’t sure what it was. After we left she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, cervical cancer is the most common cancer for women. She is a strong women and I believe she can beat cancer.. Today I’m going to tell you about how optimism is helping me over come this obstacle every day.

My grandmother- “Granny Annie” as my family calls her- has been struggling with cancer for a while now, I’ve learned to work through this by looking at the positives. Such as, my family has been growing a lot closer since she was diagnosed. We are able to visit her more often since then and I’m really happy about that. I’ve gotten to know her better and I’ve also become very close to her which I don’t think it would of happened, sadly, if she wasn’t diagnosed.

When I found out she had cancer, it made me realize that we actually have been very blessed that we still have her here today because I know a lot of people have lost their grandparents already. It could have been much worse, she could have had a heart attack, or she could have been diagnosed with an even more severe disease. I’m just glad she’s still here today. It also has made me appreciate having her as a grandmother. She is such an inspiration, going through all of this and not giving up makes me proud to be able to call her my grandmother.

Something positive that’s come of this is not necessarily for me, but for my father. I know that my father and my grandmother have never really had the best relationship, him growing up with his father since his parents divorced when he was at a young age didn’t allow him and his mom to create a good solid relationship. But since she was diagnosed my father has been spending a lot more time with her and they have been getting along a lot better. I think that if she was never diagnosed my dad would never really get around to visiting her as often as he does now and they would never get a chance to bond.

Remember the 1.4 million people that I mentioned in the beginning of my speech that were diagnosed with cancer? Well, 55% of those people lived! And that’s a big portion if you think about it. I believe my grandmother, Granny Annie is a part of that 55%. ”once you chose hope, anything is possible.” –Christopher reeve once said. Being positive has helped me through a lot of obstacles, like this one and many others. If you look at everything as the glass is half full everything will become easier. But if you look at everything like the glass is half empty itwill seem ten times worse than it actually is! So stay on the positive side, everything will come easier. I am sure of it.