A truly heartbreaking, yet inspiring story has surfaced from the U.K. The story is about a young girl named Athena and her family. Tragedy struck when she was diagnosed a few days before Christmas with osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that forms in the bone. Doctors underwent a seven-and-a-half-hour surgery to remove a tumor on her spine, but no matter how much they tried, they couldn’t stop the cancer from spreading.
Athena passed away shortly after her 13th birthday. Her family was crushed. When the family found the courage to clean her room, they removed a mirror, and they found a 3,000 word message on the back. Her father said:
“I started reading it, but before long I had to stop because it was too much,” her dad also said. “It was heartbreaking.”
Here are some excerpts from the writings:
“Happiness depends upon ourselves. Maybe it’s not about the happy ending, maybe it’s about the story.
The purpose of life is a life of purpose. The difference between extraordinary and ordinary is that little extra.
Happiness is a direction, not a destination. Thank you for existing. Be happy, be free, believe, forever young. You know my name, not my story.
You have heard what I’ve done, but not what I’ve been through. Love is like glass, looks so lovely, but it’s easy to shatter.
Love is rare, life is strange, nothing lasts, and people change. Every day is special, so make the most of it. You could get a life-ending illness tomorrow, so make the most of every day. Life is only bad if you make it bad.
If someone loves you, they wouldn’t let you slip away, no matter how hard the situation is. Remember that life is full of ups and downs.
Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about. I want to be that girl who makes the bad days better and the one that makes you say, “My life has changed since I met her!”
Love is not about how much you say “I love you” – it’s about how much you can prove it’s true. Love is like the wind, you can feel it, but you can’t see it. I’m waiting to fall in love with someone I can open my heart too.
Love is not about who you can see spending your future with, it’s about who you can’t see spending your life without … Life is a game for everyone, but love is the prize. Only I can judge me.
Sometimes love hurts. Now I’m fighting myself. Baby, I can feel your pain. Dreams are my reality. It hurts, but it’s okay. I’m used to it.
Don’t be quick to judge me, you only see what I choose to show you … you don’t know the truth. I want to have fun and be happy without being judged.
This is my life, not yours, don’t worry about what I do. People gonna hate you, rate you, break you, but how strong you stand, that’s what makes you … you!
There’s no need to cry because I know you’ll be my side.”
You never know what life holds for you. These are some inspiring words from a brave girl. I know these words helped to comfort her family, and in a way they inspired me as well.
H/T: Real Clear