Abel Fonseca, II, is a lifelong San Benito resident and community advocate who has served students and families for more than two decades. Through his “Heart of San Benito” series, he shares stories that celebrate the people who make the Resaca City special. He can be reached at abelfonsecaii@hotmail.com.
There are days when life feels like a lonely road.
I have spent much of my life trying to make other people happy, only to realize I couldn’t even make myself happy at times. The truth is that I sometimes carry pain that few people see.
In 2018, I was diagnosed with cancer. By the end of 2019, I had beaten it. I thought the hardest part of my journey was behind me, but life had other plans.
In 2020, after battling illness and complications, my body began to change. I had developed GVHD, a disease that affected my muscle and skin tissue.
Simple tasks most people take for granted became difficult. Putting on socks, tying shoes, getting dressed, and moving comfortably were no longer easy. I had to learn to adapt to a new reality.
Then came more health challenges. Problems with my blood, kidneys, and liver followed. In 2026, I underwent open-heart surgery.
I spent 87 days across four hospitals, from Harlingen to Houston. Today, I carry a metal plate in my heart and take blood thinners that I will need for the rest of my life.
Being sick changes you. It changes your body. It changes your mind. It changes your relationships. I would never wish sickness on anyone.
There were many times I found myself at a crossroads, wondering which direction to take. How do you continue helping others when you are struggling to help yourself? How do you keep moving when your body is tired and your spirit is weary?
At least for me, the answer has been faith. I have known loss since I was a child. I have seen heartbreak, sickness, and uncertainty. Through it all, calling upon the creator of all has carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life.
There have been days when I felt hopeless and alone. Days when I sat in front of the television simply because I did not know what else to do. Days when I questioned my purpose and wondered what would come next.
But when I look back, I can see that God was working in my life, even when I didn’t understand His plan.
Sometimes we spend so much time trying to forge our own path that we forget our steps have already been ordered. We may not see the purpose as we walk through the storm, but when we look back, the signs become clearer.
Today, I don’t claim to have all the answers. I am still learning. I am still healing. But I know this: every day is a gift.
My goal is simple. I want to be a good husband. I want to be a good father. I want to help people whenever I can. And when I find myself at another crossroads, I will continue to put my trust in Yahweh.
If you are struggling today, know you are not alone. Reach out. Talk to someone. Pray. Ask for help. Sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is admit they need support.
As I continue this journey, I am learning that strength does not mean carrying every burden alone. Sometimes strength means asking for help, stepping back to rest, and trusting God when the road ahead is unclear. I may not know exactly where life will lead me next, but I know who walks beside me.
If my story helps even one person who feels lost, discouraged, or alone, sharing it is worth it. No matter what challenges we face, let us remember to have faith, extend ourselves grace, and keep moving forward, one day at a time. The storm will not last forever, and with God’s help, brighter days will come.
Today, I stand not as someone with all the answers, but as someone who has survived. Through cancer, illness, surgeries, heartbreak, and uncertainty, I am still here. I still believe in God’s plan, even when I cannot see it.
I still believe our struggles have purpose and our pain holds lessons. If you are facing a difficult season, do not give up. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep taking one step at a time. Sometimes the greatest victory is simply refusing to quit.
You are not alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, please know that my door is open. You are welcome to reach out to me on Facebook Messenger.
I would be more than happy to listen and offer a supportive ear. Sometimes, having someone willing to listen can make all the difference. Never feel like you must face things alone.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)