Australian woman Holly Butcher lost her battle with Ewings sarcoma earlier this month.
But in the heartfelt letter – shared to her Facebook page after her death – she urged others to cherish the time they have on earth.
‘It’s a strange thing to realise and accept your mortality at 26 years young. It’s just one of those things you ignore,’ Holly wrote.
‘The days tick by and you just expect they will keep on coming; Until the unexpected happens.
‘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.
‘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.’
Holly went on to say she wasn’t writing the note so that death is feared. Rather, she wanted to stop people worrying so much about the ‘small, meaningless stresses in life’.
Among Holly’s wise words was a plea for people to ‘whinge less and help each other more’.
‘Give, give, give. It is true that you gain more happiness doing things for others than doing them for yourself,’ she wrote.
‘I wish I did this more. Since I have been sick, I have met the most incredibly giving and kind people and been the receiver of the most thoughtful and loving words and support from my family, friends and strangers; More than I could I ever give in return. I will never forget this and will be forever grateful to all of these people.
‘It is a weird thing having money to spend at the end.. when you’re dying,’ she continued.
‘It’s not a time you go out and buy material things that you usually would, like a new dress. It makes you think how silly it is that we think it is worth spending so much money on new clothes and ‘things’ in our lives.
‘Buy your friend something kind instead of another dress, beauty product or jewellery for that next wedding. 1. No-one cares if you wear the same thing twice 2. It feels good. Take them out for a meal, or better yet, cook them a meal.
'Shout their coffee. Give/ buy them a plant, a massage or a candle and tell them you love them when you give it to them,’ she wrote.
She also urged people to value others’ time.
‘Use your money on experiences,’ Holly advised. 'Or at least don’t miss out on experiences because you spent all your money on material sh**.
‘Put in the effort to do that day trip to the beach you keep putting off. Dip your feet in the water and dig your toes in the sand. Wet your face with salt water. Get amongst nature.
‘Try just enjoying and being in moments rather than capturing them through the screen of your phone. Life isn’t meant to be lived through a screen nor is it about getting the perfect photo.. enjoy the bloody moment, people! Stop trying to capture it for everyone else.’
Holly also advised people to ‘get up early sometimes and listen to the birds’.
‘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’.
To read Holly’s letter in full visit her Facebook page
This article originally appeared on New Idea.
