I have partnered with Pine-Sol® and Social Moms to bring you this post.
I have to admit that I feel guilty when I complain or whine about how life hands me “lemons”. I sometimes feel like I can never catch a break. Just when things seem to be going well something always pops up to ruin it. For example, I saved for a long time in hopes of surprising my family with tickets to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this year, along with the tree at Rockefeller Center and a trip to the top of Rockefeller Center (Top of the Rock) to see New York City at night time. We went during the day this past summer. My son has been anxious to go back and see New York City from above at night.
That won’t be happening this year. All the money I had saved up went to a huge vet bills and car repairs. I literally have $0 to take my family to the city this holiday season and I a doubtful that I’ll be able to raise enough money to do it in the next few weeks.
Stuff like this gets me down. Then I hear stories about people who have it worse off than me and it makes me feel guilty. I should be grateful for what I do have (which I am) and stop dwelling on the things I don’t have.
I have a hard time rising above hardships. I don’t think I’m a strong enough person. I wish I was.
I have a cousin name Christine who in my eyes is a very strong woman. Life has handed her bushels of lemons yet she some how survives and carries on.
I’ll try and condense her background as much as possible.
My cousin grew up on the foster care system because her father felts she wasn’t his child and her mother was mentally unstable and ended up institutionalized. When her mom came out of the institution my cousin went to live with her. Her mom died shortly thereafter. Thankfully her father finally accepted her as his child and she went to live with him.
She got pregnant when she was 15 and again two years later. It was an abusive relationship which took every bit of strength she had to escape from.
Trying to make it as a young single parent was hard, but she made it.
Over the years she was in and out of bad relationships and had another child. She got married but when they divorced the husband left for another state and took her youngest daughter with him.
Her oldest daughter ended up becoming a teenage mom and had two children. She was not a good mother to her children and the children were removed from her home. My cousin didn’t want the boys to end up in foster care so she took in her grandsons. Without going into too much detail she ended up adopting her grandsons. They were very young at the time and she’s the only mom they have ever really known, so they look at her as their mother.
Now she is single, raising her grandsons, and trying hard to make ends meet. She works cleaning houses so that she can be there for the boys when they are home from school.
What I admire so much about her is that she has risen high above everything that has tried to bring her down all throughout her life. She doesn’t let the hard times bring her down. She doesn’t ask for help or hand outs. Even though she has not had an easy life she still smiles and laughs all the time and is always willing to give the “shirt off her back” for others without thinking about her needs or wants. To me she is a very strong woman who I truly admire.
The makers of Pine-Sol® Products has teamed up with actress and activist Rosie Perez to launch a special campaign called When Life Gets Tough, Women Rise Above It! My cousin is certainly one of those women.
Pine-Sol® is looking for stories about inspiring women who have proven that rise above adversity. They want to share these stories in hopes of inspiring other woman and show them that they can get through any challenge in their life.
Here is an interesting survey result.
Wakefield Research conducted a survey among women across the U.S. on behalf of Pine-Sol® Brand Cleaners. According to the results, 86% of women ages 35 plus, say their biggest female role model is someone they know personally, not a celebrity or political figure. Additionally, women see the best female role models in their family (60%) and their communities (24%), according to a Pine-Sol survey and 65% feel they are currently a role model to someone in their life.
I agree. I see my cousin as a role model, not an actress or political person. Plus my cousin is family.
I hope my cousin’s story can inspire others to not let life, or your past, dictate who you are or your future. You have the strength and power within you to rise above it all.
I learned that Pine-Sol® donated $25,000 to Women Empowered. Women Empowered is an LA based nonprofit organization that educates and supports women of all ages and backgrounds. They also inspire women to give back to their communities.
Pine-Sol® is also hosting the Women Rise Above It Sweepstakes. Pine-Sol® is going to award a weekly winners and other prizes.
- Once a week for 12 weeks, Pine-Sol will award one lucky winner small tokens of appreciation.
- (Flower bouquet + Pine Sol coupons) ARV: $150
- Three first prize winners will receive complimentary house cleaning services for a year ARV: $2,400
- One grand prize winner will be awarded an all-inclusive trip to enjoy a peaceful spa experience at a deluxe hotel. ARV: $5,000
I know my cousin would LOVE something like that – and she deserves it.
To learn more, share your personal story or to enter please visit the Official Site.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States & D.C. 18 years and older. Ends 1/31/14 at 11:59 a.m. PT. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions, visit www.womenriseaboveit.com. Void where prohibited.
Also you can check out Pine-Sol® on Facebook (below).
Kimberly
*This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Pine-Sol® blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.
Sarah L says
My friend Sherrie has many health problems but she is always upbeat and makes me smile. I will share this with her.
Deb E says
I feel blessed when I see how many have been struggling with the natural disasters, losing everything and sometimes everyone they love. It’s so much about attitude. What a great way to celebrate women who never give up.
Wendy T says
I saw this the other day. People that know my history have told me that I’m the strongest person they’ve met. I have a hard time believing it, but that just speaks to my own issues.
I’m going to find my voice and share it in this campaign. It’s something I need to do for me.
Michelle Elizondo says
Amen to these beautiful people.