Sequoia Smith Tells Her Uplifting Story Of How She Overcame Adversity After The Death of Her Parents
As she graduated from college without having her parents alive to celebrate with her, 25-year-old Sequoia Smith shares her story to encourage women faced with adversity to keep fighting and never give up.
According toYahoo, Smith lost her father to sickle cell anemia shortly after graduating from high school at the age of 17. As she grasped to come terms with the loss of her father, two years later, the her mother succumb to her battle against cervical cancer.
The gorgeous resilient orphan who graduated this spring from Lamar University took to her Instagram page to share her story. She wrote…
“17 years old, I remember my mama just hugging me & crying. She told me my dad passed away. Less than 3 months away from getting my HS diploma. I walked across that stage with my head held high, knowing that though he wasn’t physically there, he was still watching.
19 years old, roughly 2AM. After DAYS of not sleeping & having to watch my mom suffer. I was alone at hospice with her, watched her take her last breath. This was TEN days after getting my Associates Degree.
My mom had stage 4 cervical cancer & she fought her BEST fight. Seems like weeks, months even years passed by & it didn’t seem real that my parents were gone. Sometimes, it still doesn’t. This picture is apart of my testimony.
When my mom passed, I took time off from school & completely cancelled the idea of going back. I felt so numb & detached from the world. Time kept passing & I knew I had to go back. 25 years old… As long as it took to FINALLY get this Bachelors Degree, I STILL did it.”
Smith also says that it’s been tough up until this point, especially since her loss still affects her to this day.
”Not having anyone to call or talk to at times. Having to work ridiculous hours to make sure I had bare necessities. Keeping a smile on my face to keep from crying. I STILL did it. One thing I can say is, I’ve grown. My strength overshadows my weakness.
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I am resilient & powerful. Despite loss, I can & always will overcome adversity. I know that as long as I lean on God’s arm for understanding & guidance, he will lead me in the right direction. My circumstances are far from the best, but I have found ways to make the best of what I have & thank God in the process.
I am sharing this to encourage someone else. No matter WHAT you go through, no matter who you lose, you have to keep fighting. Stay focused & pray every single day, even when things are going well. Losing two people as important as your parents will change you & make you want to give up.
Surround yourself with people who will uplift you! People who will pray for you without knowing the demons you’re battling. You will need them & whether you know it or not, they will need you. It is my greatest honor to annnounce that May 11th, I will be walking across that stage & though I may cry, I know they’re smiling.”
Smith’s post, during which she admitted to considering ending her educational journey at one point seemed to really touch people. It went viral and garnered her a lot of attention.
“I honestly didn’t anticipate for this to happen,” she told the website. “I wanted my post to get to someone who has experienced what I have to enlighten them. … It just blew up. The amount of messages and comments I’m getting from so many incredible people is well worth me sharing.”
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Photo credit: Instagram