"Faith Vs. Hope"

            Hope “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Faith ”complete trust or confidence in someone or something.”

            Although, the definitions came from Google they both live up to what I know true about them more than ever now.

            It first started when my cousin was pregnant at sixteen years old. None of my family here were surprised. Simply, because we knew how bad her emotional state was with her parent’s divorce, brother’s deportation, mother’s marriage, and father’s abandonment. I always thought I had a hard life just from a parents divorce. That was until I saw my only aunt that lives here having way more trouble with her kids.

            Well, what was done was done. A month later we found out my cousin was going to have girl twins. Of course, we had to support her through it all. The due date was set around basketball season. It was only my freshman year I was still trying to get used to the whole “High School” deal. September came along and my cousin had her doctor’s appointment. Not to offend anyone she decided to go to Winslow for her checkup. Out of all the places she picked Winslow, Arizona. They told her everything was fine and that she was still due in December around my brother’s birthday. September came along and my cousin started to get pain. They took her to Flagstaff. Here we got the news that one of the twins has past away and that the other will do the same if they do not get her out. A couple hours later my premature niece came into this world.

            Anahi Mungarro. That was her name. Sad part was my cousin could not hold her like others do when they first give birth. They put her through test and other things. At the end they had to fly her to the Children’s hospital where she spent the first three months of her life. Luckily, my cousin’s boyfriend lived down in the valley so she had support there. After three months in November they finally released Anahi to her mother to take her home. After months of fighting for her life she was able to enjoy the warm air. Until, what do you know her parents got in a fight around December and my brother and I had to drive to valley to bring home my cousin and niece.

            It was basketball season and they ended up taking up my whole room. I was mad in the beginning. Until, I realized the amazing gift god has given me to help me become stronger as an individual at the end. I saw my sixteen-year-old cousin struggling. I would help her with my niece feed her, change her, put her to sleep.  Although, for two years I kept hearing the same thing from doctors she’s not going to make it. I heard that three times.

            The last time was my sophomore year basketball. My brother came to practice wanted to take me to Flagstaff. I asked “why?” His reply, “they flew in Anahi to Flagstaff they said she is in horrible condition they don’t believe she will make it.” I looked at my brother and Perkins and told them “ I’m not going.” I got home that night and I knew deep down in my heart she was not going to die, I knew for a fact she was stronger, and that I didn’t need to leave practice because I knew it was some what of a lie.

            Here I am. Waiting for a couple day’s to past by to finally play in Glendale Arena. The story that had to do with my niece was to explain exactly how I learned how to have faith in things while others just hope. The story can go on and on about the wonderful gift that awaits for me in Phoenix. I grabbed faith from hearing the words “she’s not going to make it.” I can’t really explain what I really want to point out. But, one thing never let hope take the best of you. Always have faith because who knows you could still be seeing your niece growing up and or you could be playing in the dream place four other teams want to be at. Keep believeing!