‘Life lives, life dies

Life laughs, life cries

Life gives up and life tries

But life looks different

through everyone’s eyes’ A CHANCE at life is never to be ignored; a chance to live happily must never be refused.

Not many are rewarded a second chance at life; to do over all the things they have done wrong, or a chance at finally appreciating all the things done for them.

Many people cry in vain for the opportunity to be given a chance to make a fresh start, or beg for some of the blessings afforded them that others refuse or discard. Life is simply not worth living if we do not, at least once, live for others. But to be afforded a second chance at life is not always wonderful and simplistic. Sometimes in order for you to see the picture painted clear in front of you, others must suffer dire, or worse, fatal consequences.

Growing up, she was always in the shadow of her sister, Cora. Even though Cora and Cara Antwan were born identical twins, Cora always seemed to be favoured over her. Cora was born one minute ahead of Cara, and Cara often felt that she was just an extra child to her parents, and that Cora was all they really needed.

Cara was always in a competition with her sister for their family’s attention. Cora always had first-pick of whatever gifts they received, and if for some reason only one gift was brought or bought, it was given to Cora. But no matter how strenuous an effort Cara would make, Cora just simply had to smile, and Cara would be immediately overlooked.

At school, it was no different; Cora was every teacher’s pet. They would all compliment her on how beautiful or how intelligent she was. That was most frustrating for Cara, because her sister and she were the splitting image of each other, and yet no one ever paid her a compliment.

Cara got better grades than Cora did, but it was always Cora’s that the teachers made reference to in class, or their parents hanged on the refrigerator at home.

Cora even had more friends than Cara did at school; children would literally fight each other, just to sit at the same lunch table with her. It was annoying to watch, and Cara envied Cora for the attention that just seemed to be thrown at her.

But secretly, she often felt stupid for the jealously she harboured inside for her sister; it was almost as if she was jealous of herself. Not many people could tell Cora and Cara apart, but not once did they ever shower compliments on Cara, mistaking her for Cora.

But their compliments and rain of attention was not well received by Cora. She hated it, and most of them that paid it. She often complained to Cara how disgusting and annoying it was that the “idiots tried so hard to get her attention.” Cara couldn’t believe it! Here she was, trying desperately to have even an ounce of what Cora received, and she despised it all and only pretended to appreciate the very people that Cara longed would notice her just once instead of Cora.

Cara thought it ungrateful, but Cora just didn’t care. She said she didn’t ask them to make a fool of themselves, and that they chose to do so of their own free will. And that was the shallow mentality Cora grew up with; never appreciative of anything people did for her but only pretended to be amused. Even though she referred to them as “shallow wannabes,” Cora never refused their gifts, or always made herself available for their attention.

Cara, on the other hand, presented herself as the ‘humble’ one, but yet it was always Cora that her parents introduced first to their friends. That’s how Cora met her husband, Samuel. He was the son of one of her parents’ closest friends, and when he came home from abroad to see his parents for the Christmas holidays, Cara’s parents naturally introduced Cora to him first.

Samuel was a medical doctor and had all the means and resources to treat Cora like a queen, which he did lavishly. But still Cora couldn’t find it in her heart to show any sense of appreciation for the man that was practically willing to do anything to sweep her off her feet. Cora only married Samuel because her parents convinced her that he would be a great foundation to build upon, and that she would be forever financially secured.

So, Cora married Samuel, not out of love, but necessity. But it was clear that Samuel loved her deeply. If only he knew that while he made Cora a priority, he was only an option to her; a means to an end. Cora was never warm and loving towards Samuel; she always treated him with hostility. But still Samuel loved her; a love Cara wished to have. She never quite found a way to escape her sister’s shadow. Cara longed for all the things Cora ignored, and often dreamed that somehow, she would achieve them.

But little did Cara know that the ‘bored’ life she so desperately wished to escape would come to an abrupt end. Tragedy struck one afternoon while she and Cora were out driving around in Cora’s new car that Samuel bought her. Cara had begged her sister for the venture, as she badly wanted to escape the loneliness and isolation she felt at home. She thought a long drive in the open air would help to relieve some of the sadness she felt. While trying to avoid hitting another car, Cora crashed into a tree in the corner of the road. The impact flung both Cora and Cara from the car, as neither was wearing their seat belt. It was a horrible sight for all those who witnessed it.

The sisters were immediately rushed to the hospital, but only one twin survived. Cora, the lucky one, as everyone thought, regained consciousness about two weeks after, only to learn that her Cara had died, and was already buried. Unable to speak at the time, she cried bitterly. Her parents and husband tried desperately to console her, but it was to no avail. Casting the blame upon herself, it was hard accepting the loss of her sister.

But the accident and subsequent miraculous survival was a new lease on life; a chance to start things over.  It was the second chance that many people were denied, and she was determined to make every opportunity of it. After making a full recovery and returning home, life finally made sense, and she made an effort to appreciate everything given to or done for her.

Samuel was finally shown the love and care he so richly deserved. This newly-found sense of gratitude that his wife showered him with every day was complemented by the birth of two daughters. It was as if his wife had breathed a fresh breath of air for the first time. Though he was often taken back by her new attitude, Samuel was just happy that she survived. Her explanation to everyone was that surviving the accident gave her the opportunity to make a change she realised was desperately deserved.

Life is finally worth living were the thoughts running through her mind as she knelt in front of her sister’s grave. Everything seemed to be in place: A wonderful and faithful husband, two beautiful and intelligent daughters; a job that, apart from keeping her financially stable, rewards her every effort; friends that are always there for her no matter the hour she calls; and a family that supports her in everything she does.

While having a bittersweet moment with tears streaming down her face, an appreciation was spoken to the grave: “Thank you, Cora, for a chance to live the life that you never appreciated, but one that I always so desperately wanted.”