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Youngster was my inspiration Life-changing experiences can dramatically change the way you live your life and the way you preach your faith. If you ever come in contact with a life-changing experience, hold onto it, whether it be positive or negative. These experiences usually lead a lot of people closer to God and can even sometimes open up a new door to your faith. One such experience I shared was the death of a young girl named Marisa Ramirez. Marisa Ramirez was only in first grade, yet her faith at the time had been more developed than even a person of my age, seven years older than herself. But it wasn’t just the young girl whose faith was eye-opening; it was her family’s as well. I could tell that they had guided her in the right path with God. They shaped her into the person she became, and God did the rest. I knew Marisa Ramirez and her family very well. Her mother, Ana, was my Spanish teacher, and all of her daughters, including Marisa, attended St. Pius X School. When Marisa was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the entire school and parish of St. Pius X came together in prayer. Every day faculty, staff and students were asked to pray for Mar-isa and her family, and that is what we all did. Through ev-erything that happened, not once did I see Marisa or her family break down or give up. They all knew that God would take care of her. After Marisa was diagnosed with the tumor, her mother became pregnant with a baby boy, who I believe was a miracle from above. Marisa waited just long enough to see her baby brother come into the world and then she left. Everyone knew she would be safe with God, and that gave a sense of comfort to her entire family and the entire school. The one thing that Marisa’s mother said Marisa wanted us to remember her by was her abundant love for Jesus. That statement made me think. Marisa taught me that, when my time comes, I shouldn’t be afraid. She taught me that God will take care of me and hold me in the palm of His hand. I thank her for this. Marisa and her family made a huge impact on my faith in a positive way. The way the entire school and its parish came together to be strong for this family and their daughter made me realize there is more good in the world than bad. I have been blessed to be able to be touched in such a faithful way because of a young girl who loved Jesus so much. (11/11/04) |