Garrett, Aged 5, Moved the World to Tears With His Wishes and Maturity

Death! An unavoidable truth we avoid discussing and often cannot bear hearing about. How can a society that does not discuss death manage dying and afterward well? When I was small, my grandmother would say for herself, "May God grant a good death, my child" and I did not understand. Now I am 50. As an oncologist who has witnessed thousands of deaths, if I cannot discuss and explain dying, this cannot be only my shortcoming. Is it not time to question death as a society and place it where it deserves? Societies unable to discuss death cannot discuss or value life itself. Today I share a child with cancer's story that confronts my endlessly questioned inner ache. May you value death at least as much as life...

Garrett Matthias's Story, Full of Smiles and Tears

On 6 July, aged just 5, Garrett Matthias died in Iowa, USA. He had been diagnosed with one of the rare cancersas his illness, affecting his temporal bone and cranial nerve. Learning it was terminal, his parents decided to ask him about matters even adults hesitate to consider, such as his funeral arrangements. They asked what ceremony he wanted and prepared his obituary together.

When Garrett was asked his favorite superheroes, he answered, "Batman… and Thor, Iron Man and Hulk and Cyborg" as his response.

Favorite colors found him both determined and confused: "Blue… and red and black and green"

When grown up, he wanted to be a professional boxer and described himself as a "Bulldog!" in his words.

His favorite people began with Mom, Dad and his sister. Next came grandparents with the new house, then grandparents with the camper… followed by cousins, his stinky uncle, auntie and other uncles. Finally, Batman!!!.

Among his favorite things were playing with his sister, listening to thrash metal and his blue bunny with Batman also on the list. He hated pants and dirty, stupid cancer.

Garrett said he would become a gorilla after death and throw poop at his dad. "

Do you want to be cremated or buried?" In response, he wanted "to be cremated like Thor's mother and turned into a tree where he would live as a gorilla" as his wish.

Asked what funeral he wanted, he replied: "Funerals are sad: because I'm 5, I want 5 bouncy houses, Batman and ice cream"

His family said nearly all wishes would be fulfilled at the 14 July ceremony. It would feel like a festival, with five bouncy houses, games and fireworks. An archer would shoot a flaming arrow at a small boat carrying his ashes on the neighbors' pond.

However, the family decided, until figuring out how to turn ashes into a tree, to keep Garrett's ashes.

Garrett, who died at 5 leaving his smile with us, had an obituary ending, "See ya later, suckas! — The Great Garrett Underpants" as its final line.