A 27-year-old who died of cancer shared life advice before her death

By Sophiehirsh

January 10, 2018

By Sophiehirsh

January 10, 2018

Holly Butcher, a 27-year-old Australian woman, passed away last week from Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. But before she died, Butcher wrote a “bit of life advice,” which her family posted on her Facebook page shortly after her death. In the letter, Butcher shares words of wisdom that she hopes will help others get the most out of life.

“It’s a strange thing to realise and accept your mortality at 26 years young. It’s just one of those things you ignore. The days tick by and you just expect they will keep on coming; Until the unexpected happens,” reads the letter’s opening lines. “I always imagined myself growing old, wrinkled and grey- most likely caused by the beautiful family (lots of kiddies) I planned on building with the love of my life. I want that so bad it hurts.”

She continued, “That’s the thing about life; It is fragile, precious and unpredictable and each day is a gift, not a given right. I’m 27 now. I don’t want to go. I love my life. I am happy… I owe that to my loved ones. But the control is out of my hands.”

Butcher’s then shares her thoughts on living life to the fullest, writing, “I have had a lot of time to ponder life these last few months.” The advice ranges from not sweating the small stuff and accepting our bodies (because “I swear you will not be thinking of those things when it is your turn to go), to being appreciative of all the little things we take for granted. For example, instead of complaining about exercise, be grateful your body is healthy enough to exercise.

She also provided the following list of suggestions:

“Get up early sometimes and listen to the birds while you watch the beautiful colours the sun makes as it rises.

Listen to music.. really listen. Music is therapy. Old is best.

Cuddle your dog. Far out, I will miss that.

Talk to your friends. Put down your phone. Are they doing okay?

Travel if it’s your desire, don’t if it’s not.

Work to live, don’t live to work.

Seriously, do what makes your heart feel happy.

Eat the cake. Zero guilt.

Say no to things you really don’t want to do.

Don’t feel pressured to do what other people might think is a fulfilling life.. you might want a mediocre life and that is so okay.

Tell your loved ones you love them every time you get the chance and love them with everything you have.

Also, remember if something is making you miserable, you do have the power to change it — in work or love or whatever it may be. Have the guts to change. You don’t know how much time you’ve got on this earth so don’t waste it being miserable. I know that is said all the time but it couldn’t be more true.”