Annabelle Vassallo

Nikol Baldacchino writes:

Annabelle Vassallo was a normal 38-year-old woman suffering from cancer when, last year, she captivated the imagination and the deep core of the Maltese soul. Four years ago, her life changed completely after waking up with a terrible pain in her neck. The pain continued to grow until she was eventually diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. A familiar but heart-breaking story, a common experience that many share every year, an experience that results in anxiety, pain, doubt and, finally, if ever, resignation and acceptance.

All those close to her knew how she loved life to the full and looked on difficult and cruel experiences positively. Yet, one question lingered in our minds: Will she succeed in coping with the new challenge she has to face? Will she make it?

The first time I met Annabelle was more than 25 years ago, when she came to the prayer group I was leading with my wife and two other couples. From that day on, she took her spiritual walk seriously and established a deep personal relationship of love and commitment with the Lord Jesus. She remained steadfast all through her life even in the midst of disappointments, hurts and pains that life dealt her from time to time.

I’ve known Annabelle for a while but rediscovered her deeply over these last years of her illness. I could see and share the deep love she had for her family and for the circle of close friends she never left. She endeavoured to love more and worked hard to start experiencing eternal life not after but before death. Fear and doubts were abundant but, by God’s grace, she managed to overcome anxiety and uncertainty. Her faith was as simple as that of a child but profound as that of a mystic.

I experienced her overpowering optimism when, over a year ago, she came back from London where she was told the battle was lost and there was nothing else science could do. A small group of family and friends were waiting for her at the airport, mouths dry of words and eyes filled with tears. Annabelle arrives and, wearing her characteristic smile, she said: “So what?! We’re having a thanksgiving Mass for the beautiful life God has given me! And, hey, where are we eating tomorrow?”

Annabelle was like that. She surprised us in the most difficult of moments, consoling us, spreading among us hope and optimism.

What was her secret? Were her hopes in vain? Was she just daydreaming or escaping reality? There were several occasions when one would wonder: How can she be so sick and, yet, so concerned with the needs and pains of those surrounding her? One of her worries was seeing a sick person suffering or losing hope. She prayed so hard for them.

A few minutes before a signing session at the launch of her autobiography Irrid Ngħix (I want to live), which she practically wrote in under three weeks, she ran up to me and asked me: “Nikol, in which letter did St Paul write: ‘In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us’?… I want this quote by my signature!” “Romans 8:37,” I answered.

This is Annabelle’s secret. She lost the battle against cancer but, through Christ’s love, conquered eternal life.