sarah`s blog

I have just watched a Japanese movie “1 liter of tears”, based on a diary written by Aya. This is another true story derived from a girl’s sufferings, like Anne Frank who was a Holocaust’s victim. Anne Frank’s diary was published by her father, Otto Frank who was the survivor of Holocaust.  Aya’s disease was discovered when she was 15 years old. Some parts of her brain were shrinking and that affected her lives so much. That deadly disease kills her slowly and it was so cruel. Human being is created with complex neurological systems which work as central processing unit. It controls human movement. The disease distracted the system and demolished the central unit.

True enough, as the given title, 1 liter of tears, and my tears gushed like river while watching that movie. Why? Her ability to move on though surrounded by difficulties touched my heart. She was a determined person and never gives up even she was slowly losing her ability to move. She continues to write in diaries. After her death, her parents published her diary. It has benefiting lots of people whether suffering the same disease as Aya or healthy people. It tells us to be high spirited and never give up. Though death is coming near to you, you still got something that you can contribute. Thus, you cannot stay at home and wait for the last breath of yours. This is what Aya wants to convey – to avoid the feeling of useless. Life is wonderful and enjoys it with your loved one.

Despite being sick and incapable of doing many things throughout 10 years sufferings due to the incurable disease, Aya was not ready to surrender and fought well to beat her illness. She even insisted to stay at the hospital so that it will be easy for her to attend the physiotherapy sessions. Doctor and her parents were aware physiotherapy did not make her walk again, but that was not bothering Aya. Aya knows what she wants and she was determined to walk again and perhaps she can play basketball again. That is the interesting point in the film that made me speechless.

One thing about love could be gained from this story – family is the most sincere person who loves you so much. Forget about true friends who claimed to be your best friends “forever”. The way they show their sympathy towards you could be a deceiving image. Deep inside their hearts, they feel burden, hardship and unhappy feelings. This was what happening to Aya. However, a handsome boy who happened to be her classmate fell in love with Aya and that feeling remained even after Aya’s death. He accepted Aya the way she was. There is a scene whereby Aya’s conditions getting worse and no longer able to control her bladder. She fell on the floor in attempt going to toilet and when the boy saw her on the floor already wet with urinal discharge, he wanted to help. But Aya shouted at him and asked him to get out from the room.

Love blossoms like flowers during the teenagers’ period. Adults tend to label this scenario as a normal stuff and no more than a “monkey love”. However Aya’s relationship with the boy defeated such assumption. She was also a way mature than her peers. She could accept the reality which hit her hard, that she cannot get married and their relationship ends when she died.

I do not know whether I could be so positive like Aya and appreciate the remaining time I have before I die. Many of us tend to cry day and night and refuse to move on. This is not what Aya wanted it to be. She insists for determination and becoming a lively person. Her attitude made me cried a lot. It tells me one thing, If I feel bad then I should be thankful that I still have time and spaces to change all those things. Hope so.

Aya, wherever you are, I wish God will hold you softly in His palm, you are a great person!