The following three stories are tales of actual women who overcame adversity, tragedy and poverty. They were not well known or even famous. They were also not heroines in any story. They were merely people...common ordinary people.What makes them special is that they lived their lives for the people around them. They were dutiful daughters, loving wives and nurturing mothers and grandmothers. But without these common ordinary people, we could not exist. They are the backbone of any society. Let the politicians and movie stars glow in the limelight, but it is the sunlight and the moon that sustain these women. I cited actual historical events that took place during their lifetime. I wanted to show how these events might have affected their lives. Some people would say they were brave, but they would probably just laugh at that. They weren't brave, they just survived the best way they knew how. Some people would say they were strong, but strength came with necessity. To keep their worlds going, they had to hit life head on and deal with whatever crossed their paths. Some people would say they were hard, but what appears to be hardness is actually only a shell we build around us to protect us from the storms of life. Beyond that shell, there is a heart that never stops giving.Some people would say they were smart, but common sense is the part of intelligence that cannot be measured.But everyone can agree that they were loving. They had that unique quality of putting others before themselves. Sometimes their sacrifices broke their hearts, but if it benefitted a loved one, it was worth the hurt. There is no greater joy then to be kind and make someone else's day. No amount of money or fame can bring that inner warmth that a grateful smile or a thankful hug can give. These women are so very special to me because it is through them and their actions that I was able to find my way. We are who we come from. Thank you, ladies, for being you. I sincerely hope you find my stories compelling, interesting and uplifting. We all need to think of other people besides ourselves if this world is to succeed. Let's try to go back to the times when people actually cared about one another and neighbors looked out for their neighbors.