By Ryan Fabrelli*, Monterey Trail High School, October 22, 2025
SASF Strive for Strength taught us to become better people with tips and lessons to educate us and help us understand the negatives and positives of the world. Challenges never leave. After one challenge is fixed, the next one peeks around the corner to make its next move. Challenges are a part of life, something that everyone goes through.
Last year, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. It was a difficult moment in my life as well as hers. It was a time when I didn't know what to do, other than support her. She is my life and more. She was a single mother until she met an amazing person that me and my sister were able to call dad. My mom wasn't feeling well, meaning she wasn't able to take us to school. Making my sister and I ask for rides. I felt almost useless everyday coming home from school not being able to help her. I gave her everything I was able to do, whether it was making her food, getting her a glass of water etc. Still, I felt like I wasn't doing enough. However, she wasn't going to let cancer consume her. Yet through sleepless nights, I was still worried. Crying myself to sleep, hoping everything was going to be alright. I want her to see me grow into an amazing person with a bright future ahead.
I've learned through this complex situation that when someone is going through something that is going to make a drastic change in their life. You should always be by their side no matter what, making them feel comfortable and making sure that they know you love them. Cancer isn't just a word, it's a nightmare to those who have it. Something that I have learned is to maintain our feelings and see that everything can be fixed if you focus and not let your emotions get the better of you. One tip is being able to notice what emotion you're feeling at that moment. When you're upset or sad, sometimes you won't even notice because you are not always thinking clearly. Whether you're crying, yelling, or arguing you don't always realize what you truly feel at that time. So, by taking a second to take a deep breath and reflect on the emotions you are having, you'll be able to calm down and reason with your mind.
In conclusion, I've learned that I should take in the moments with my loved ones. To just appreciate the moments with my mom. And make sure that they know I love them. Not knowing when I won't have them in my life. SASF taught me a way to not let my emotions get best of me and to take care of myself, whether it's exercising, having my daily nutrition, or getting enough sleep. These are all things that will help me to get where I want to be in the future. Being part of SASF was truly an honor. I'm glad I joined because I got to learn so many things that will help me in tough situations. I want to thank the organizers and the volunteers for taking the time out of their day to help us.
* A pseudonym
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