If you haven’t seen it already, I strongly recommend you watch The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. The movie is amazing.

The whole movie is about a mother of ten children who basically raises her children off of the money and prizes she gets from writing advertising jingles for contests. It’s based on the true story of Evelyn Ryan and actually features the real children at the end of the movie.

For me, one of the biggest things that gets to me about this movie is how, during everything that is going on, she’s always calm and has a positive outlook. Had a bad day? Go to bed, get a new one. It’s a fresh start. Alcoholic husband in the kitchen? Smile and pay attention to your children; this will show them that even with him ranting and raving in the next room, they’re always safe.

It’s a non-conventional story of survival, but it’s one of the most amazing stories I’ve heard.