The Power of Family

How family can help you through tough times

“Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family.” -Paul Persall

        Family is the one thing that pushes you through hard times. My family has always been there through thick and thin. A small example of this was when I was playing billiards in the National 9-ball tournament, and my family came. It was in this July. My family had been planning to go for a while. The tournament was in Las Vegas, in a hotel called “South Point”. I had been only playing pool for around 2 years at that time, which is not long at all for pool. I felt I was good enough to go to the tournament, so we came. My parents also came too, and were really excited. They were already so proud that I made it to nationals. The day of the tournament, I was really nervous. Eventually, my match came. I was playing a player who was ten times better than me. My spirt was crushed. I thought there was no chance I could beat him. My parents saw me moping, and stepped in. They reassured me. They told me that it is not over until I decide it is. I took this well. I knew that if I hung in there, I would have of a chance to beat this kid. I started getting really lucky. My chance of winning was rising. I started to get more hope and fire in my soul. I was winning! I did it! I won! The first thing after I won was hug my parents. They were so proud of me. This experience really showed me the power of family. It showed me that even when times are tough, family can dig you out of that place. After this experience, I never give up hope even when things seem impossible. My family showed me how to be resilient. If all things go awry, family can always ground a person.