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The gift of life

Writer's picture: Athanasia HouvardaAthanasia Houvarda

Updated: May 12, 2024

-What is the gift of life?


This question was asked at a meeting, and it took me aback. For most, the answer was so obvious that they had no problem responding immediately.

"The gift of life is life itself." None of them said more, so I was left a bit confused, thinking, "What do they mean?"

I also heard people saying that life is beautiful, precious, and rewarding, and don't get me wrong—I agree with all that—but I was still struggling to find my answer. 


My mind went back to 2001, when I came close to having the gift of life—life itself—ripped out of me. I fought like never before to keep this precious gift, and I often wonder. What gave me the strength to hold on to this gift and not let go?

Was it the value of life?

Was it the memories I had and wanted to hold on to?

Was it the air I breathed that made me feel alive?

Was it the images my eyes witnessed over the years and were longing to see more? Maybe it was the love I had for the people around me that I never wanted to lose.


As I was lost deep in my thoughts, trying to find the answer to this simple question, I was abruptly brought back into reality when I heard my name, and it was time for my response. 


I stood there for a few seconds, unsure what to say, and I took a deep breath—mostly to buy me some time to think rather than find the right words to express my thoughts. As I was breathing in, the only thought I had was the thought of my mother. I tried to shift my thoughts, but I couldn't. And then it became clear.


I knew what my gift of life was.

It may sound strange to you, but it is true. My mother gave me the gift of life—not once but twice!  


When I was 23, I watched my life transform in one split second. I was involved in a fatal car accident that left me fighting for my life. The first days were critical, to the point that the medical team gave up on me. 


But not my mother. 


As long as I was breathing and holding on, she wasn't willing to let me go. While I was in the Intensive Care Burns Unit of Papanikolaou Hospital in Greece, she was informed that my chances of surviving my injuries, from limited, were getting closer to non-existent.

She then made the hardest decision of her life. To take matters into her own hands. She and my dad arranged everything, and 8 days after my accident, I was airlifted and transferred to St. Andrew's Broomfield Hospital in the UK. She had doubts and questioned her decision every step of the way. But as long as I was breathing, she was breathing too, and her decision not to let me go gave me back my life. 


It was a long, hard, challenging road to recovery. But we recovered. 

Many times, I find myself feeling guilty for all the pain I caused to my family. What they had to go through because of my life choices. 

Yes, I was the one injured. And, yes, I had to fight to survive.

But my parents and my brother are also survivors.



Me and my mother
"My gift of life"

This woman in the picture has been my 24/7 caregiver for years and is my rock and role model.  


She is MY GIFT of life.


Thank you, Mum, for not giving up on me and for giving me life twice.


I love you more than words can say.. 







(Dedicated to all the mothers who don't give up on hope and breathe because their children breathe. Thank you) 








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2 comentarios


finswam
12 may 2021

Wow! Amazing post! Brilliant insight to the world of mum-love, mum-faith, mum-hope, mum-everything... Thank you so much, Athanasia. God bless you!

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Athanasia Houvarda
Athanasia Houvarda
12 may 2021
Contestando a

Thank you ❤️ I am very happy it resonated with you..

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