Written by Jasmine Carrillo TItle The struggle of believing : I realize that many individuals doubt believing in things that are invisible. Nonetheless, have you thought about how some events happen exactly when you require them? For example, when you are short on money or food and assist another person, a good result frequently follows. This narrative shows how a spiritual presence is always available for you, in various forms. On a very early morning, May 6, 2002, a girl named Carly was born to her parents, Katrina and Benjamin. Her mother was very happy to have a daughter as their first child. However, Benjamin had some struggles because he was drinking heavily at one time. Once Carly was born, he changed his life and became a caring father. Despite their difficulties, Katrina and Benjamin were thankful for their baby girl. They even had to sell their wedding ring to buy diapers for Carly. She was so loved that when it was time for her to learn to speak, she had some trouble with her speech. A few months later, Katrina got pregnant again, and a year later, on September 19, 2003, she gave birth to a baby boy named Carl. The family of four, consisting of Benjamin, Katrina, Carly, and Carl, was initially very happy despite experiencing ups and downs. Benjamin faced challenges as he took care of their two young children, a one-year-old and a few-month-old baby. They decided to move to New Mexico, which seemed like a better place for their future. Although the move took some time, it improved their situation when Carly was four and Carl was three, as Benjamin started earning good money to support the family. They began attending church around the time Carly turned five and Carl turned four. Carly struggled in school due to bullying and a speech problem, while Katrina and Benjamin appeared happy together, even though they faced problems in their relationship. Unfortunately, when Carly was five, they received the devastating news that Katrina had cancer. This added stress to Benjamin with medical bills and other adult responsibilities. Katrina also battled diabetes, mental health issues, and depression. Despite their challenges, a couple of years later, Katrina beat cancer. The kids, Carly and Carl, tried to navigate their childhood amidst these difficulties. Throughout it all, the family attended church frequently, and Katrina was even baptized, receiving the holy spirit. Throughout the year, things were tough for everyone. After a couple of years, they chose to move to Texas, which turned out to be a beneficial change. Carly started doing well in school, and Carl became more social, making new friends. The friends they made formed strong bonds, and after many ups and downs, they finally had a good year. However, after some time, they decided to return to New Mexico. One day, they went to a church event, but Katrina felt sick, so her family took her to the hospital, where they learned she was pregnant with another baby boy. This news made everyone happy, and the baby boy was named Caleb, born on January 1, 2011. Soon after, Katrina was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, and the family's challenging journey started again. As a family of five, Caleb was the cutest baby and brought a lot of joy. Carly and Carl went back to school, with Carly in third grade and Carl in second grade. Each time they left for school, Caleb would cry because he missed them. After school, Carly had to take on more responsibilities and care for Caleb since Katrina was still not well enough to look after him like she normally would. Although Katrina made efforts to be a mother when she could, it didn't happen frequently, which left Carly feeling somewhat sad. However, over time, Carly and Caleb started to build a closer relationship. The Cruz family consistently supports each other through thick and thin. Katerina, who has recovered from cancer, still struggles with her mental health and diabetes. She took a trip to another state for a mental break before going back to New Mexico, but her circumstances kept changing. One night, when Katerina was not feeling well, Benjamin had a scheduled night shift at work. However, he could not go in that night due to serious issues with Katrina. Unfortunately, that night, some coworkers of his died, and others were seriously injured. This event led to questions about whether Benjamin being with Katerina was a matter of luck or if a spiritual force was looking after the Cruz family that day. The Cruz family experienced many "coincidences," but they believed these events were more than just chance. Unlike many people, they had a strong belief in the spiritual realm. They faced many struggles and attended church regularly due to their faith. They moved frequently, yet Carly continued to encounter difficulties in school despite her efforts. She was shy and often took on a motherly role for her brother, Caleb. In contrast, Carl thrived in school, was outgoing, and enjoyed a carefree childhood without much concern for their situation. Katrina and Benjamin also dealt with their own hardships, particularly after his mother died. However, Benjamin prioritized moving forward and being responsible, not allowing himself to grieve. He was a devoted father to Carly, who looked up to him as her hero because she missed having a mother figure. Benjamin did his best to be both a mother and father to Carly throughout her life. He attempted to teach her some aspects of womanhood, but he could only provide limited support. They eventually moved into a small house, facing numerous challenges during their six years there. Before moving, Carly sought spiritual guidance to help find a home after their previous living situation had many problems. She remembered how long they had been without a stable place to live. As Carly and her brother Carl entered their teenage years, they began to discover their identities and interests. There were many ups and downs, including happy moments and heartbreak, but their family supported each other. Carly and Carl both got their first jobs, and Carly became more independent, using the bus for transportation and forming a bond with the bus driver. However, things changed when Benjamin lost interest in Katrina and moved to California to be with a high school sweetheart, leaving Carly and Carl to care for the family in another state. During this tough time, Carly took on a more maternal role while Carl acted as the father figure, all amidst the challenges of the pandemic. After six months, Benjamin returned, having fallen in love again, while Katrina's health worsened. She began to neglect herself and showed signs of severe depression as she realized her husband's lack of love. Katrina's condition rapidly declined, and doctors warned the family she might only have a year to live due to cancer returning for the third time. Tragically, she passed away just weeks later. Carly and her brothers blamed Benjamin for her decline and felt helpless to intervene. This occurred a few months after Carly graduated, an event Katrina could not attend, making the absence even more painful for Carl, who had a close bond with their mother. In the aftermath, Carly began to rebel. Her acting started before these events, but it intensified after Benjamin's departure. She began seeing someone, moved out of her father's house at nineteen, stopped attending church, and started smoking. While Carl chose a different path, he also faced similar struggles during this chaotic time. Carly and Carl, despite their differences and experiences, are now nineteen and eighteen, respectively. They are starting to view the world and its adult challenges, reflecting on their father Benjamin's teachings. Carly admires Carl and feels proud of his achievements as he enters his final year of college. While Carly faces her own issues, especially in her love life, she is learning to handle them. She believes she has a supportive family, and regardless of setbacks, she looks up to her brother and father for help. Carly also values her youngest brother, Caleb, for providing comfort during her struggles with adulthood by still embracing his childhood. Over the years, despite losing Katrina, the four of them have strengthened their family ties and maintained their spiritual beliefs, making their bonds better than before. The Cruz family has gone through many difficulties, but Carl and Carly believe these challenges have greatly influenced who they have become. They credit their parents, Katrina and Benjamin, for much of their growth. Although they realize more memories and experiences lie ahead, they hope to always stay a close family that supports each other. Carly is unsure about her future and that of her brothers, Caleb and Carl, but she genuinely wishes the best for all of them. As the oldest sibling, Carly knows that family and the support of others are more important than anything else.
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