My grandmother is the one person who has been the most influential in shaping my identity. She has lived with my family and I since I was about 8 years old. Before then, I would have "sleepovers" at her house every other week. She is a person that does not judge. She listens to everything you have to say no matter how shocking or terrible the news may be. She has always taught me that no matter how bad life seems, it can always get worse as she lived through the Great Depression and World War II. However, she also explained to me that if you keep your head up and think positive thoughts, you can overcome any obstacle and become stronger than you ever imagined possible. My mom-mom has been through unimaginable loss and struggles such as my grandfather dying when my mother was only 18, being in a coma for two months and surviving stage 4 malignant melanoma. My grandmom is the strongest person I know and she always keeps me pushing and striving for a better me. I know I would not be the person I am today without my grandmom.