Joy and Meaning

Today’s post was going to be about being “lucky in love”, but I’ll share about that when I “get back” from break. Due to the nation’s (latest) school shooting, the timing just doesn’t “feel” right…

Rather, I’m rereading the answers that terminally ill kids gave to a doctor when asked what brought joy and meaning to their lives. During my first reading of the thread, I thought a couple of things:

1. Too bad that my husband Reggie is allergic to pets.

and

2. We need more ice cream in our lives.

For an assignment, I asked some of my terminal paediatric palliative care patients what they had enjoyed in life, and what gave it meaning. Kids can be so wise, y’know. Here are some of the responses (Thread).

— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018

Take home message:
Be kind. Read more books. Spend time with your family. Crack jokes. Go to the beach. Hug your dog. Tell that special person you love them.

These are the things these kids wished they could’ve done more. The rest is details.

Oh… and eat ice-cream. /End

— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018

Be sure to enjoy and love your kids as much as possible. Tomorrow is not promised.