MRSVERGIEM

Toastmasters International 2nd Place Winner for Division M Area M5

Audrey Hepburn said, Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.

I didn’t believe in this saying at first until I experienced it.

It was 2014 when I wrote “I want to write my grandparents’ love story” in a post-it. It was an impossible dream, as I was no writer. Yes, I scribbled words in my journal, but it was no book writing.
one of my office mates saw the note, and she said I should do it.
I want to, but I can’t.

Come 2015, I lost my grandmother. She was the one who taught me how to read, write, and how to tell time. She was my first teacher. When I lost her, it was like I lost a part of me as well.
I saw the post-it note again, and I knew I had to do something.
I grabbed a notebook and wrote what I wanted to say. I wrote and wrote and wrote, but it was getting nowhere. This is impossible, so I closed the notebook.

the dream lingered at the back of my head but I had many on my plate that got pushed and pushed further until I forgot about it.

It was my 32nd birthday when my sister gifted me a large frame which has my pictures in it with fairy light surrounding the photos. I placed it on top of my bed and looked at it. As I looked closer, I saw my Lola and the memories came rushing in. It almost made me dizzy. It became the catalyst for me to revisit my book-writing journey.

as they say, when you truly want something, the universe will conspire into giving you want.

but it didn’t warn me that the universe can also be a jokester…

In the middle of my writing journey, I got pregnant. And when you are pregnant, there are only two things on your mind, it’s sleep and food, and also trying not to throw up. so make that three.

during those times, I was not sure if I was pregnant or I became a mutant with super-smelling power.
I could smell anything from a mile away. Our neighbor’s cooking, the nasty scent of trash, musty pavement, I didn’t even like to own scent. Ano na self?
I was a mess. I was hungry; I was moody. I cried and laughed at the same time.

It was crazy.

The book writing? swept under the rag.
it was impossible for me to write in my condition.

One night, I received a message from my writing mentor.
“Vergie, how are you? How is your writing?”

Those few words, two questions reminded me of my why. If you really want something, hold on to your why, and my why was to write the story of my grandparent. To share their wonderful memories. To pass them on to the next generation.

I got up from the bed carrying all the heavyweight in my chest–the rollercoaster of emotions, the will to not throw up, and the invitation of my bed to go back. I carried them all as I sat on my chair and typed on my keyboard. I poured everything on a blank page.

My visions were blurry from crying as I remember the happenings and the story, and the lessons my grandparents shared with me. I finished chapter after chapter, standing only to eat or to go to the bathroom.

Impossible? no, I’m possible

What kept me going was my determination to finish. I held on to my reason for starting the project, and faith that all things are possible.

You may have a dream, a goal you want to achieve. I encourage you to keep pushing even if it means you have to cry while doing it, find your reason-your why, and have faith. Believe in yourself, in your dream, and in Him.

nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.

Now, I am a self-published author. Published the book despite the pandemic and after all the challenges I faced.

I’m possible. You’re possible.