Everyone needs supports. I have many supports.
One support I have is my husband. My husband diligently works to provide for me, and my children. He sometimes works 80+ hours at the hospital to provide for us. He undergoes stress so I don't have to. His everlasting faith strengthens our family. His humorous spirit makes us laugh and makes stressful situations seem minute. My husband provides financial support and emotional support. He also happens to be my "GUY" best friend. I can tell him anything. He loves me unconditionally and makes sure I know it.
Another support I have is my best friend Rosa. I have known Rosa since I was a child. We grew up in the same church and are best friends to this day. She is my confidante when I need a female ear. She is my spiritual sister. God didn't give me a biological sister but gave me a spiritual one. I wouldn't know what I would do without her telling me to relax everything will be ok. She has seen me go through many changes and is my child's Godmother. She is a strong woman and I respect her opinion.
Another support I have is family, friends, and church. Church serves as an outlet for frustration. I can go to God when I feel I can't go to anyone. God has been my cornerstone all my life and I wouldn't have anything without his grace and favor in my life. My family has been amazing. They have been a saving grace when I had my children and underwent an emergency C-section and needed someone to help me. They cooked for me, babysat, cleaned, ironed and did everything I couldn't do for myself or my family. They did it with a joyous heart and much love.
Another support I have is a lot of the practical things such as my computer where I can communicate with others frequently and where I can complete my classwork. Another practical support is my car. I go everywhere in my car. I don't know how I would do all that I do without it. I can't picture myself riding a NYC bus or train with an infant and a toddler.
Wow, I didn't really want to think of any challenges. But I figure one challenge I can write about is getting sick. Rheumatoid arthritis runs in my family and if that was to happen to me it would limit all that I would be able to do. How can I complete a computer course if I am in excruciating pain when I type? How can I cook for my family, iron for my husband, drive my car, scrapbook with Rosa, bake cookies, and braid my daughter's hair? I guess I would need my support on a daily basis. I think I would probably have to hire a cleaning lady and get some more assistance on a daily basis for everyday house duties. I would have to have my husband do more of the daily chores such as laundry and food shopping. I would be more dependent on others which is something I wouldn't be happy about. I would probably need the support of a physician to manage my RA. I would probably have to be on meds or even an exercise program. My life would change because I would need more and different support.
