Thursday, August 31, 2006
Imagine...
You are just 15 years of age - young and full of life with hopes and promises of what the future may bring. Then one day, you find that you are struck with a disease. An incurable disease.
You start by often stumbing when you walk, losing your balance and falling over.
Slowly and surely your hands and limbs fail you.
You write and walk no more.
Speech would then take its turn and leave you.
What is left? What's left is a mind that is as alert as anyone else but a body that is dead. That's just how cruel this disease is.
This is the life of a Japanese girl named, Aya as documented by a drama series, 1 Litre of Tears (http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=MoCaJJaR&page=1).
During her 5 years of ordeal, she fought on, every single day in hope that one day, she may be cured. But life just isn't fair.
She had to quit the school basketball team, boyfriend left her, forced to quit school and slowly watch her body whittler away.
I cried... I cried like I never did. Because her courage overwhelmed me and I've been humbled after watching this drama series. The little things that we take for granted in life meant so much to her. I admit, I am not as strong as she is.
And she asked time and time again what is her purpose in life? And I ask myself what is mine?
Despite being sick, she seeked to help those around her. By penning her thoughts in a diary and not giving up, she inspired those around her not to give up and do what they can do today.Her diary sold more than 18 000 000 copies.
This series has really brought me down. Humbled me. Made me feel humane again. Above all, she taught me courage, determination and never to give up.
What is your purpose in life?
The last words she said were, "Live on, Live on forever..."