The Orchard family have been struggling to deal with the loss of their 12 year old daughter Athena who on May 28th, tragically lost her battle with bone cancer osteosarcoma. After her passing, the family were left to deal with the heartbreaking task of going through her things. During that time is when they discovered a secret note left behind for them from Athena. Her father Dean found a long 3000 word message written in a black sharpie on the back of her mirror.
In addition to the message on the mirror, he found a box of self penned songs. On the mirror, it is like a list of words of wisdom for all of us to listen to and live. It is truly touching to see that that this young girl who was struggling in a courageous battle for her life, took to sharing her innermost feelings. It is amazing and touching in so many ways. Here is the mirror:
Some of the messages that are truly words of wisdom were:
“Happiness is a direction not a destination.”
“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.”
“Love is not about who you can see spending your future with it’s about who you can’t see spending your life without.”
“Maybe it’s not about the happy ending, maybe it’s about the story.”
“You know my name, not my story.”
“You have heard what I’ve done, but not what I’ve been through.”
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.”
“Thank you for existing. Be happy, be free, believe, forever young.”
“If someone loves you then they wouldn’t let you slip away no matter how hard the situation is.”
“Remember that life is full of ups and downs, without the downs the ups don’t mean anything.”
“I’m waiting to fall in love with someone I can open my heart to.”
“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.”
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.
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 to.
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 just 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 by my side.”
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So maybe you can take the time to sit back and reread those great words and thank Athena for being such an empowering person through such a trying time. She should know that she has definitely made an impact on a lot of people and through these words so many more people will know her and appreciate her wisdom.
~ Marisol
Music Junkie Press 