I have almost decided to give up! I spent two days flipping over pages. The over 150 pages of notes appeared to me ‘playing of words.’ I have tried to make some sense out of them. All time it was fruitless effort. Though initially I had an intention of burning my midnight oil, but the repeated failures forced me to retire on bed. I switched off my light at 1:30 and put on again at 5:00. I sat at my desk again. I opened my notes. I thought something I would remember from the previous day. Everything appeared to me new. I had only five hours left before I meet my professor. I did not know what I should do! I have almost decided to give up. I left my room for the breakfast. Near the dining room, I met our co-worker Anna. She helps us to keep order in the house. Usually she does not speak. She is one of the three women among the 40 plus men in the community. She would be also one of the youngest most among us. As usual I said, “ciao.” She replied. I proceeded.
“Rozario” she called me. “Yesterday I gave blood.” I did not quite understand as she spoke in Italian very fast. I thought she was sick. I asked what was wrong with her.
“I donated blood to one of my relatives” she said. “It was first time for me. I have had fear. Then I took courage and everything went on well” she said smilingly and left. The simple words touched me. It kept on coming ‘I have had fear but I took courage.’ I proceeded.
At the breakfast table I was all alone. I asked myself, why can’t I take courage? By the time I returned to my room I was already very positive. Soon my anxieties and fear left me. I opened my notes. I began to read.
And the rest is a history. I went to the university and had my exams. Of course I returned to my community smilingly!!!
