Inspiring Lives: Life Is A Journey

"Life is like a wheel, sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down" as the saying goes. God fashioned our lives to be full of trials and challenges; facing them makes us strong and better able to survive. 

Her name is Annafer M. Vismanos. Her friends call her simply Ann. There are many unforgettable and memorable inspiring moments in her life that she had confided in me, a few of which I would like to share with everyone.

Way back when she was in the kindergarten class in a religious school near their house, she had an unsettling experience which she would always remember every time she pass by that school. She had been reprimanded by her teacher, and this surprised her because she did not do anything wrong. Right after school, she ran as fast as she could to her mother who was waiting outside to fetch her.

When asked, she was unable to give any answer, so her mother consoled her and said "Do not cry, someday you will learn and understand what life really means". She became more confused, so young was she, and in order to cheer her up, they went to a place that always puts a smile on her face. She brought her to a popular fast-food restaurant where she ate her favorite spaghetti. She truly enjoyed that time together with her mother. 

When she reached elementary and was in grade six, some of her classmates always teased her. This hurt her feelings so much she wished for a world of her own. However, she soon realized there were others that truly care for her and were really sensitive to her thoughts. They protected her when she needed it and helped her withstand the bullying.

It was in the third year high school that one of her most memorable experience happened.

In the middle of the third grading period she got sick, and her condition became worse that she was forced to stop schooling. She was admitted to the hospital. As she lay on her bed alone in the dark, hooked to artificial oxygen and attached to a respirator that monitored her every breath, she felt as if it was at the end of her life. 

Ever fervent and devoted to her faith, she offered her spirit to the Almighty, asked for forgiveness for all transgressions, and gave sincere thanks for all the blessings given to her. Her last wish and tears were for the parents she dearly loved. Suddenly, all the pains she felt, left her. She then knew God gave her another life to live and discover what it was meant for.

Another beginning had arrived, still with many trials to overcome, and she soon experienced another. She was back in the third year high school, when a fire gutted their home, leaving them with nothing but ashes. Yet in spite of what had happened, her father cheered them up and encouraged them to pray and be thankful that none in their family got hurt. She accepted God had reasons for the tragedies they encountered.

Her journey in life took another course in first year college when she fell in love with her classmate in music. This mutual inclination got them to know each other better, sharing each other's life stories, and inevitably became more intimate whenever they sang together, with her on the piano, and he on the guitar.

The atmosphere, however, gradually and subtly changed. She learned that he already found someone else to love. This made her hurt and depressed because she was really in love and it was the first time for her to fall in love. She felt like her heart was broken into pieces, and she vowed never to love again. Nevertheless, through the help and encouragement of her friends, she knew she could overcome and then prevail.

The next school year, on her second year in college, their home was struck by another fire, more terrifying than the first. It happened while she was sleeping on the second floor of their house. Her brother awoke her to the conflagration engulfing the house next door. It was already too big that they panicked and ran without bringing anything with them.

The family gathered in one place; yet instead of crying, their prayers were to give thanks that everybody was unhurt. They believed God took what was given them, to give them something better. 

Annafer is inspired when she hears the song entitled "You Raise Me Up". For her, life goes on, and as long as she lives, she would face and surpass every tribulation she may meet. She would let go of the past, embrace the opportunities of the present, and wholeheartedly welcome the future.