Patti Burris

According to oxforddictionaries.com, the definition of resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Cherokee is my oldest child. She is 23, single mom of two adorable kids and she is resilient.

Cherokee has always been the one to not cry over challenges. These last few years have been a challenge, but she has this ability to look forward and do what needs to be done. Cherokee had Ava at 19 years old. She was married 3 months before Ava was born. The first year of her marriage she spent separated from her husband, as he is serving in the Marines and was stationed at 29 Palms, California at the time. After a year, Cherokee moved to North Carolina with Ava to be with her husband, but it was not a marriage that was meant to be. She returned with Ava 10 months later with the scars of a failed marriage, but determined to pick up the pieces quickly and move on. She had Christopher 9 months later and has been a rock to both kids. The divorce was final this past November and Cherokee has had to deal with all the emotions that go with it. She is tough. She puts the past behind her and moves on. She never dwells on what can’t be.

Cherokee immediately starting working upon her return. She is now working full-time in the cafeteria of our local hospital. Within 3 months she was promoted to shift leader. She is now in school full-time and determined to do what she needs to do to make a good life for her kids. She doesn’t wallow. She has never thrown a pity party for herself. She says that there is no sense in feeling sorry for yourself, it won’t change anything. She is right.

Cherokee has taught me to always look ahead. Even in the toughest times, always look ahead. Figure out what you need to do and do it. Through her courage, she has taught me to face my challenges with courage. She has taught me to face the future with courage. She has taught me to trust God in ALL things and trust Him to work out the future. As long as we do our part, He will do His. I have to trust God in the middle of the struggle. I have to focus on God and trust in Him to provide a way out. I can’t give in to feeling sorry for myself, because of my circumstances. I have to look up. I have to take a lesson from Cherokee and keep looking ahead toward the future. Never look back. Face the future with courage. It is never to late to learn life lessons. I am able to face challenges with resilience, because my beautiful, strong daughter has shown me how.