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By Cotter McAnally
(Cotter wrote this essay on the assigned topic for a competition on his football team. Consequently, he was chosen to meet Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson)
Cotter McAnally
Defeating Adversity
Even though I’ve had a pretty good life, I’m no stranger to adversity. Sometimes, the situations have made me sad, while other times the adversity has upset me and left me frustrated. As I have faced my own difficulties and challenges, I’ve learned how to come out on top against whatever challenges come my way. Because of this, I realize that adversity makes me stronger, and even difficult times can make me better in the long run.
When my grandmother died in 2006, it was one of the first times I was old enough to actually face real adversity that I understood. She was one my first close relatives to die. Her death was sudden and unexpected. For the first time in my life, I experienced real grief. During the weeks after her passing, I learned that I needed to show compassion and I needed to forgive. As I gave forgiveness, I found that my sadness went away and it was replaced with comfort. I’ve been able to apply this to other experiences where people mess up and need forgiveness. Forgiving others helps, and it is one of the ways I have overcome adversity in my life.
In early 2010, my family was struck with news that changed our lives. My dad worked as one of the pastors at a church in Grapevine, Texas. His position was basically the right-hand-man of the main pastor. He had multiple responsibilities every Sunday and throughout the week. Surprisingly, one afternoon when I got home from school my dad was already there. After everyone got home my dad told us the shocking news that the church had laid him off. My jaw dropped to the floor. I couldn’t understand why a church would fire a man that helped them get through every Sunday, and a man who was so important in the church’s growth. Though we all were sad, we prayed for God to help us find a new home church. My dad looked for different positions around the area so my sisters and I could go to the same schools. We found one location, but he was not chosen for the position. Then, another church named Scottsdale Bible Church asked him to consider a job at their church. He talked multiple times on the phone and had even visited the church in Arizona to talk. Throughout the whole 14 months of him trying to find a job, we continued to pray and ask for help from God. Eventually, the church offered my dad a job. Our prayers were answered. We were so thankful for God being good to us and providing for us while he was without a job. Even though it was a long time for us, we were so happy.
I learned that through this long time of adversity, I was never alone. My family was there for me, and I tried to be there for my family. Throughout the 14 months, my family talked more and more about the possibility of moving. They also asked for our opinions and wanted to know what we thought. At one point, we took a “secret trip” to Missouri to look at a church that was considering my dad. We had a lot of fun on the trip, but agreed as a family that the move wouldn’t have been good to move there. Facing adversity is easier when you face it with the people you love and trust.
These are only two examples of how I have faced adversity in my life. I think forgiving others always helps me overcome adversity. I can also always rely on my family for support when I am facing tough times. But what helps me most to overcome adversity is Jesus Christ. He gives me wisdom, and I feel like I can do anything through him. After I accepted him into my life, I have been able to reach out to others to help them with adversity they face. He has given me strength and power to overcome the obstacles I encounter. I am truly blessed that he died for me, and he is the reason I can overcome adversity.
(Given prior to our move to Arizona)
My name is Kaylyn McAnally, and I’m an 8th grader at Shadow Ridge Middle school. I’ve volunteered to speak tonight to voice my opposition to the plan to rezone Garden Ridge Elementary that splits the community between Forestwood and Shadow Ridge Middle schools. Some people may argue that this doesn’t affect me, but those people would be wrong.
First, this bad idea does affect me because it affects my family. My brother Cotter was one of the many 6th graders who received a letter a few weeks ago that rudely informed them that they would be Forestwood Falcons for the rest of their Middle School years, starting next year. The poor way this was announced showed serious lack of planning, inadequate communication, and disrespectful interaction with us Shadow Ridge families who are impacted by this mess. The unnecessary stress you brought in to our home has caused us to feel like our Board and our School District doesn’t really care about our needs or our best interests.
Second, this bad idea affects me because my younger sister doesn’t have the good fortune to be grandfathered in and go to SRMS. Instead, she will have to go to Forestwood. My brother and I have worked hard to build good relationships with the SRMS teachers, administrators, and other families. And while we think Kelsi is pretty wonderful on her own, we also think it is very unfortunate that she will have to go in to middle school without the benefit of the preexisting relationships. Making matters worse, she’ll have to go into this unfamiliar environment without ⅓ of her Garden Ridge friends, who will be unreasonably divided from the rest of the crowd for the sake of addressing a problem that doesn’t really exist.
And that brings me to my third and final point. This bad idea affects me because its just wrong. It is wrong because there is no over-crowding problem at Shadow Ridge. Every student has a locker , both in the hallways and in the locker rooms (in fact there are empty lockers within an arms length of my own locker). We have only 2 lunch hours and there is never a problem with long lines or someone not getting their food. Everyone has a desk. Nobody ever has to share a text book. We students have heard the horror stories of overcrowded middle schools, but those stories all take place at McKamy, not at Shadow Ridge.
The fact that we have a crowd gathered here having to fight to shut down a bad idea based on wrong information is why this affects me. I’ve earned A’s in my government classes, and I understand the difference between a democracy and a democratic republic. You, the board, have been elected to represent us. This plan to rezone represents the interests of someone…just not us. It doesn’t represent those of us who are part of the Garden Ridge and Shadow Ridge Families. By ignoring the real problem at McKamy, this plan shows that the Board is ignoring the people of the McKamy family. And because McKamy, Forest Wood, and Shadow Ridge are all part of the Flower Mound family, this plan shows that the LISD is not concerned about the best interests of Flower Mound. I ask that you take a huge step and take to heart the loud opposition voiced tonight. On February 14, show that you have heard us all and stop this foolish plan to rezone our schools. Show us some love on Valentine’s day and stop the rezoning.
Thank you.
Given prior to our move to Arizona
Hi, my name is Kelsi McAnally, and I’m a third-grader at Garden Ridge Elementary. My older brother Cotter is a 6th grader at Shadow Ridge Middle School, and my sister is an 8th grader there, too. I’m here today because of the plan to split my school and send me in three years to Forestwood Middle School instead of Shadow Ridge Middle School. I’ve been told that it doesn’t matter that I won’t get to go to middle school with my best friends Elsa and Abbie, just because we live on opposite sides of Garden Ridge. But even if it doesn’t matter to you, it matters to me.
And I want everyone to know that my friends and I are already talking about how if this happens and our parents can’t stop it, that we won’t get to be together after 5th grade. None of us want that to happen. I started kindergarten at Garden Ridge, and my Garden Ridge friends are on my sports teams. They are the people I spend my play time with, and who I thank God for in my prayers. It makes me sad to think that in three years, I may not get to be in school with them, or on volleyball or basketball teams with them, or in school plays or choir with them.
My mommy & daddy have told me that I can’t just talk for three minutes about being sad that I may be split up from my friends for no good reason. So I want to spend the rest of my time telling you why I think you should stop this plan. I’ve been told Forestwood is a good school. That’s fine. As a straight-A student, a good school is important to me. But here’s the problem.
Forestwood is not my school. Shadow Ridge is my school. It is the school where both my brother and sister go to, but because they’ll both be in high school when I go to middle school, I won’t get to go there. You see, I’ve gone to every one of my sisters volleyball games in 7th grade. I’ve been to every one of her volleyball games in 8th grade. I’ve gone to every one of her basketball games in 7th grade. I’ve been to every one of her basketball games in 8th grade. I’ve cheered for the Panthers and cheered against the Falcons. I have gone to her awards assemblies and met Ms. Lay, Ms. St. John, Ms. Kester, Ms. Humfreeze, Ms. Parish, Mr. Gortz, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Goddard, Ms. Hudson, and Mr. Meredith.
I want to play on the teams with Coach Boren, Coach Grizzle, Coach Inwood, and Coach Anthony. I want to go to the school where Mr. Gibson is my principle. He knows my sister and brother and talks to them in the hallway. I like that a lot. I want to be in the FCA with the Shadow Ridge coaches, in NJHS with Ms. Atkins, and Student Council with Ms. Lay. You see, my point is…I may be at Garden Ridge Elementary, but I am a Shadow Ridge Panther. Please do not rezone us. Do not split my school. Do not break up my friendships. Please do not make me be someone I am not.
(dated 8/9/2004)
At the end of a fabulous first day of school, Cotter had this to say:
“I sure wish I could sleep in tomorrow.”
(dated 5/27/2003)
Cotter definitely has my carpentry genes.
He was walking around with my measuring tape today, charting various items in our home.
At each one he’d stop, measure, and proudly announce:
This one is…..11 (or 8 or 18, but never anything else)….pounds long.”
I tell you, it’s tricky converting from standard to metric. I still haven’t got it figured out, and obviously, there’s little hope for him.
(dated May 19, 2003)
Kaylyn: Uh Oh.
Kelli: what’s wrong?
Kaylyn: I can’t use these Crayons.
Kelli: why not?
Kaylyn: Well, on the box, it says for children ages 3-5. I’m six.
Kelli: I think it’ll be okay.
Kaylyn: are you sure?
Kelli: I’m sure.
(Originally written September 2, 2003)
It was a year ago on August 28, that my uncle Gene died unexpectedly from a brain aneurism. Over the weekend, my aunt Nancy spread his ashes atop a mountain at Elk Run Ranch, where he was the ranch manager for several years, after a long career at the helm at Saddle Mountain Ranch (both of which are just outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado). Joining her were my mom and dad, my grandma Marge, and several members of Nancy’s family. My aunt Marcella was unable to attend because she is still recovering from the West Nile Virus, and my uncle Loyd was also unable to be there.
I’ve been praying that this will bring some closure to Nancy, in what had to be the most difficult year of her life. I don’t have a memory of my uncle Gene that does not include Nancy. They really were a very special couple. Gene, as I may have mentioned a time or two, is easily the closest person I’ve ever lost. Many times a week, I’ll find myself thinking of him. Whether it be a joke he told (and there were many), hearing a story that he had retold 800 times (as is habitual in our family, especially legends of the hunt), or sometimes even the way I’ll notice something that he would have appreciated.
Watching my uncle die was difficult because it was the first time easily-taken-for-granted expectations of his presence suddenly taken away from me. And the reasons for which I mourn have little to do with me any more. I cherish those precious memories that remain. The warmth of his laughter can still bring a smile to my face, and venture it will for all my days to come. But I mourn for my father, in losing his brother and best friend. I mourn for my grandmother, in having to witness the death of her son. I mourn for my aunt, whose entire world must be recreated. I mourn for my children, who will never know first-hand the joy of spending time with Gene. I fear that even my oldest daughter Kaylyn will possess but hazy recollections of a man who was so very special to so very many people.
I had the honor and privelege to be with my uncle in his final moments of his life. After the doctors failed in their effort to repair the aneurism, he suffered several debilitating strokes. He was unable to speak or acknowledge us. Yet, each time I prayed for him and each time I read the Scriptures in his presence, tears flowed freely from his eyes. My fervent prayer was that the Holy Spirit would communicate with him and he would be able to respond. My uncle Gene would never be confused for a religious man, so I wouldn’t want to mislead anyone with that type of representation. But on that final day, I received the most tremendous peace that the Lord had answered my prayer.
Gene, like many of us in the McAnally clan, was known most popularly as “Mac.” To some, he was “The Marlboro Man.” To others, he was the living definition of a cowboy. But to those of us who were closest to him, he was a husband, a brother, a son, an uncle, and a friend. And our lives are better for having been for a time connected to his.
Our cousin Jay wrote a song commemorating Gene. While the theology isn’t real solid, the sentiment is sincere and sweet:
Mac’s Song
I’ll be here in ColoradoKelli will be the first to tell you that she’s not perfect. And my aim here is not to discuss her imperfections because i’m no more perfect than is she. but I’ll tell this, with each passing day I fall more and more in love with her as I realize what a blessing she is to me and our family.
Year after year, especially during that time known as “Mother’s Day,” we hear sermons on “The Proverbs 31 woman.” We’ve heard some excellent messages on this theme, and others that are, well, not so excellent. Regardless of the quality of the message, I hear some common themes on these messages: she’s industrious, she’s committed, she’s innovative, she’s reverent. And while I love Proverbs 31, and believe that my bride exemplifies the very definition of a godly wife by these standards, I want to just share a “point of order.”
I believe the real litmus test of what makes a godly spouse is the indwelling presence of the Lord in that spouse. My love, honor, respect, desire, affection, and attention for my bride is not, nor should ever be, based upon who she is or even how she is. My love for her is not established on her performance. If God’s love for me is not established on my performance, it would be extremely hypocritical of me to operate within a different set of standards. My wife is a godly spouse not because of who she is, but who she is in Christ.
When you evaluate the vows that are exchanged, you have two ways to interpret them. One way (the most common way) is to look at vows as a series of actions, duties and responsibilities. If you determine that your commitments to love, honor, respect, and even obey your spouse are a series of actions, you’ll never fulfill them. The other way, however, is to determine that your vows are a code of attitude around which to orient your life. This is only possible to understand and fulfill when one has a reborn, renewed spiritual life given by God through faith in the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. Why? Because Jesus Himself modeled the marriage vows to His Bride, the church, when He gave Himself sacrificially on the cross to redeem and restore her for eternal union in heaven.
My bride is a gift from God and a joy to my life not because of how she blesses me. it’s not because i can count on well-mannered, well-educated, well-attended children (which i can). It’s not because i can count on a clean home, great meals, honest interest, and intelligent conversation (again, which i can). It’s not because i can count on a desire to excel, a commitment to persevere, or even her deep love of God (which I do). My bride is a gift from God because the resurrected Christ lives within her. He reveals Himself and reproduces Himself through Her. He glorifies Himself through her and by virtue of being in her company, I too am blessed.
The components of Proverbs 31 are exemplified in a Christ-like woman of God. Kelli is a woman after God’s own heart.
March 26, 2003
Once upon a time a little berd
levd in the forist. The forist was
very cam becus not so much
anamals. The kide of berd
was a robin. Robins are red.
Wen berds flie in the skie it is
good exersis for them.
The berd levs in the tree.
The berd hads baby.
The berds best friend is
a fox. This fox is nice
to berds. Wen the fox coms
to see oether berd they
are a fade. But some berds
are not a fade of hem.
One day the fox came over
to vesit the berd.
And the next day the berd
weit to vesit th fox.
Once upon a time a little bird lived in the forest. The forest was very calm because not so much animals. The kind of bird was a robin. Robins are red. When birds fly in the sky it is good exercise for them. The bird lives in the tree. The bird had babies. The bird’s best friend is a fox. This fox is nice to birds. When the fox comes to see other birds, they are afraid. But some birds are not afraid of him. One day the fox came over to visit the bird. And the next day the bird went to visit the fox.
March 19, 2003
Wen Jesus was boren in a
little barn a gerate big Shining
star sind upon the little barn.
Jesus is the moste seshel
persien in the wereld becus
we love him becus he fers
loved us. Mery and Josuf
had to travel to bethahem.
Now Jesus is in heven.
When Jesus was born in a
little barn, a great big shining
star shined upon the little barn.
Jesus is the most special
person in the world because
we love Him because He first
loved us. Mary and Joseph
had to travel to Bethlehem.
Now Jesus is in heaven.
