Preschooler writes his own obituary before dying of cancer and includes a final request for parents to find
Terminal illness in children is one of the most devastating things in the world.
The experience of Ryan and Emilie Matthias, who had to witness their 5-year-old son Garrett fight cancer for nine months, is an example of how it can drain all hope and strength from a family.
Nevertheless, even though Garrett had to face an unimaginable challenge for a child, he never lost his amazing sense of humor.
Garrett had a unique personality that brought joy to his doctors and nurses. He remained strong and determined until the end.
When his parents learned that his cancer was incurable, they talked with Garrett about his final wishes. They wanted to ease his worries and provide comfort.
Garrett faced the conversation with his usual strength and even wrote his own obituary to express his wishes.
“My name is: Garrett Michael Boofias
My birthday is: I am 5 years old
My address is: I am a Bulldog!
My favorite color is: Blue….and Red and Black and Green
My favorite superhero is: Batman…and Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and Cyborg
When I grow up: I’m going to be a professional boxer
“My favorite people are:
- Mommy, Daddy, my sister ‘Delcina’ (Delphina),
- The grandparents with the new house (Fredric and Cheryl Krueger),
- The grandparents with the camper (Daniel and Nita Matthias),
- My cousins: Grady, ‘that guy I took down that one time’ (Luke), and London Marie,
- My Auntie Janette and Stinky Uncle Andy (Andrew and Janette Krueger),
- Those two guys, you know, my uncles (Kristopfer Krueger and James Taylor)
- Batman!!
“The things I love the most: Playing with my sister, my blue bunny, thrash metal, Legos, my daycare friends, Batman and when they put me to sleep before they access my port.
“Things I hate: Pants!, dirty stupid cancer, when they access my port, needles, and the monkey nose that smells like cherry farts…I do like the mint monkey nose like at Mayo Radiation and that one guy that helped me build Legos (Randy).
“When I die: I am going to be a gorilla and throw poo at Daddy!
“Burned or Buried: I want to be burned (like when Thor’s Mommy died) and made into a tree so I can live in it when I’m a gorilla
“Big or Small Funeral: Funerals are sad: I want 5 bouncy houses (because I’m 5), Batman, and snow cones.
“Emilie and Ryan Matthias will honor Garrett’s final wishes by having a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 14th from 5pm – 11pm at 2377 132nd Ct Van Meter, Iowa
“Note: Symbolic Asgardian burial ceremony and fireworks will be held just after sunset
“A private burial of Garrett’s ashes will be held at a later time once his parents figure out how the hell to get his ashes made into a tree and locate a nature preserve, so his tree resides in a protected area.”
“When I die: I am going to be a gorilla and throw poo at Daddy!
“Burned or Buried: I want to be burned (like when Thor’s Mommy died) and made into a tree so I can live in it when I’m a gorilla
“Big or Small Funeral: Funerals are sad: I want 5 bouncy houses (because I’m 5), Batman, and snow cones.
“Emilie and Ryan Matthias will honor Garrett’s final wishes by having a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 14th from 5pm – 11pm at 2377 132nd Ct Van Meter, Iowa
“Note: Symbolic Asgardian burial ceremony and fireworks will be held just after sunset
“A private burial of Garrett’s ashes will be held at a later time once his parents figure out how the hell to get his ashes made into a tree and locate a nature preserve, so his tree resides in a protected area.”
Garrett’s Final wishes
“Donations can be made directly to the family GoFundMe or in Garrett’s honor to a few of the many non-profits that helped Garrett along the way: The Little Al Foundation, The Pink Tractor Foundation, and the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.
“We are so grateful to the many doctors, nurses, child life specialists, musicians, art therapists, and volunteers that worked tirelessly to cure Garrett of his cancer. The reality for Garrett and so many other children is pediatric cancer is an ugly, nasty beast that leaves a path of destruction. For Garrett and many others before him – cancer kills. Those that are ‘lucky’ enough to survive endure long-term debilitating side effects and the constant fear of relapse. We will fight for a cure until no other kids are robbed of their childhood, no other siblings lose their best friends, and no other parents have to bury their babies.”
Even though Garrett eventually passed away from cancer, he chose how to handle it and his spirit still motivates those he left behind. To defeat cancer, we must speak about it openly and keep promoting awareness.
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