"If you're goin' through Hell, keep on going" -Rodney Atkins.

Hey, y'all. It's been a while since I've written, but I'm back. If neither the title nor the beginning quote have indicated this article's theme, it is perseverance.

per·se·ver·ance (n):

Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. (Merriam Webster)

Put into simple terms: Don't give up.

This is easier said than done, trust me. It's quite effortless to dish out the don't give ups and there's always a light at the end of the tunnels. When we're tied to the tracks, or when we're hanging off of a cliff with one finger, however, those words mean nothing in the moment. The number of times in which I've scoffed at one of these phrases is indefinite, because it never made sense.

Basically, why shouldn't I give up? What more is there for me?

Oh, there's so much, and so much more after that. The day that I woke up and realized that tragedy does not mean that the end is near, but rather the doorstep into a new beginning, was the day that I felt new, refreshed. The biggest game-changer of my life was my mother passing away almost 6 years ago. I didn't let myself grieve and I wish I had. I thought it would be easier to go to school, to ignore the elephant in the room.

But that day had to come, and I found myself at rock bottom (and not the peculiar place from that episode of Spongebob Squarepants, although I would have much rather preferred that). If you have hit your rock bottom in your life, I cannot explain how sorry I am. The pain is excruciating, and you don't really want to climb back up. But, you have to.

The only way to go from rock bottom is up. Yeah yeah yeah. So?

So, that is the light. That is where you begin again. You tell whatever sent you down there to kindly buzz off and you start climbing.

I think that a recent event in my own life has acted as an elevator, a rescue rope. My great grandfather is slowly dying, and my great grandmother has been next to his side for 64 years. I never comprehended how much time they had been together but now, seeing the way that he looks at her even though he is in an almost vegetative state, is the most inspiring thing that I have ever witnessed.

Their love gives me hope, and has made me so glad that I did not throw in the towel when I had several opportunities. That light at the end of the tunnel? It exists, and it is so bright and beautiful.

If you are in darkness right now, I encourage you so much to keep on going. It is worth it, you are worth it.