Follow Vogue Arabia

This Final Letter from a Dying 27-Year-Old Has Touched the World

lifestyle

The Dubai desert photographed by Jumana Jolie for Getty in 2017

After a long battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancer of the bones, Holly Butcher, a 27-year-old woman from New South Wales in Australia, penned a moving letter about the life lessons she’s learned. The letter has since gone viral throughout the Middle East, after her passing last week. Here, Vogue.me lists thought-provoking extracts that offer insights into living a wholesome life.

On Facing Problems:

“Those times you are whinging about ridiculous things (something I have noticed so much these past few months), just think about someone who is really facing a problem. Be grateful for your minor issue and get over it. It’s OK to acknowledge that something is annoying but try not to carry on about it and negatively affect other people’s days.”

Related read: I’m a survivor – a Saudi woman’s breast cancer survivor story

On Letting Go:

“You might have got caught in bad traffic today, or had a bad sleep because your beautiful babies kept you awake, or your hairdresser cut your hair too short. Your new fake nails might have got a chip, your boobs are too small, or you have cellulite on your arse and your belly is wobbling. Let [it] all go… it is so insignificant when you look at life as a whole.”

Courtesy of Najd Taher.

On Materialism:

“Don’t miss out on experiences because you spent all your money on material [stuff]. Trust 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 moment, people! Stop trying to capture it for everyone else.”

On Friendship:

“Buy your friend something kind instead of another dress, beauty product, or jewelry for that next wedding. No one cares if you wear the same thing twice. It feels good. Take them out for a meal, or better yet, cook them a meal. [Buy] their coffee. Give/buy them a plant, a massage, or a candle and tell them you love them when you give it to them.”

On Money:

“Use your money on experiences. 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 among nature. Get up early sometimes and listen to the birds while you watch the beautiful colors the sun makes as it rises.”

On Donating Blood:

“Anyway, that’s just this one young gal’s life advice. Take it or leave it, I don’t mind! Oh and one last thing, if you can, do a good deed for humanity (and myself) and start regularly donating blood. It will make you feel good, with the added bonus of saving lives. I feel like it’s something that is so overlooked considering every donation can save three lives! That is a massive impact each person can have and the process really is so simple. Blood donation (more bags than I could keep up with counting) helped keep me alive for an extra year – a year I will be forever grateful that I got to spend it here on Earth with my family, friends, and dog.”

Related Read: The most beautiful mosques from around the world

Suggestions
Articles
View All
Vogue Collection
Topics