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The father of a 12-year-old girl who died following a battle with cancer was "blown away" when he found a secret message hidden on the back of her mirror.
Athena Orchard, of New Parks, Leicester, died at home last Wednesday after losing her fight with the disease – which she only learnt about in December.
Her devastated parents said they have struggled to cope with her death, but admitted being overwhelmed with the amount of support they have received from well-wishers and friends.
But there was one message her father Dean was not expecting to find.
“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 ordinary and extraordinary 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 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 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 only prize.”
originally posted by: Jennyfrenzy
a reply to: snarky412
The quote that stood out to me the most was “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."
She is truly an inspiration, make the most of each day, cherish the ones you love and strive to find something positive in a horribly negative situation.
My heart goes out to her family and friends, what a gift to leave behind for your loved ones.
originally posted by: Trueman
a reply to: snarky412
My daughter is almost 12 too. Unthinkable pain must be for the father, nothing worse than this.
originally posted by: Chrisfishenstein
a reply to: snarky412
Someone should market a mirror with those words on the back, as a tribute to her! I would buy one just because of the inspiration and message it sends!
Caroline said: "I'll never forget when she said 'I'm glad it was me who got ill and not any of my brothers and sisters'.