I, like millions of others, am anticipating that my heart will be broken on Sunday. It has nothing to do with the outcome of the SuperBowl and everything to do with this week’s upcoming episode of “This Is Us.” I know what’s coming. And I’ll watch it anyway.
I felt much the same way when I saw this tweet from Dr. Alastair McAlpine, a palliative paediatrician from Cape Town, South Africa. I knew the twitter thread was going to break my heart, and I read it anyway. Because man, kids are so freaking wise and sometimes? We could all use a reminder about what really matters in life.
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, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
What did Dr. McAlpine discover? First of all, none of the kids, aged four to nine, wished they had spent more time watching TV or on Facebook. None of them enjoyed the hospital or fighting with others.
What they did enjoy?
ALL of them loved ice-cream.
/4— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
The kids also talked about their pets. So next time good old Rufus decides to puke on the carpet, just remember, pets make your life better. Okay, maybe not when you’re knee deep in vomit and cursing their very existence, but the rest of the time, they do.
MANY mentioned their pets:
'I love Rufus, his funny bark makes me laugh.'
'I love when Ginny snuggles up to me at night and purrs'
'I was happiest riding Jake on the beach.'
/2— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
The kids also love books, the beach, Batman, and laughing.
ALL of them loved books or being told stories, especially by their parents:
'Harry Potter made me feel brave.'
'I love stories in space!'
'I want to be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes when I'm better!'Folks, read to your kids! They love it. /5
— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Many of them loved swimming, and the beach.
'I made big sandcastles!'
'Being in the sea with the waves was so exciting! My eyes didn't even hurt!' /7— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Kids love their toys, and their superheroes.
Kids love their toys, and their superheroes.
'My Princess Sophia doll is my favourite!'
'I love Batman!' (All the boys love Batman)
'I like cuddling my teddy' /10— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Almost ALL of them loved people who made them laugh:
'That magician is so silly! His pants fell down and I couldn't stop laughing!'
'My daddy pulls funny faces which I just love!'
'The boy in the next bed farted! Hahaha!'Laughter relieves pain. /9
— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
The most heart-wrenching insights? When the kids spoke about their families and friends. For the love, I can feel my heart breaking.
MANY mentioned their parents, often expressing worry or concern:
'Hope mum will be ok. She seems sad.'
'Dad mustn't worry. He'll see me again soon.'
'God will take care of my mum and dad when I'm gone'
/3— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
MANY wished they had spent less time worrying about what others thought of them, and valued people who just treated them 'normally'.
'My real friends didn't care when my hair fell out.'
'Jane came to visit after the surgery and didn't even notice the scar!' /6— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Almost ALL of them valued kindness above most other virtues:
'My granny is so kind to me. She always makes me smile.'
'Jonny gave me half his sandwich when I didn't eat mine. That was nice.'
'I like it when that kind nurse is here. She's gentle. And it hurts less' /8— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
The irony is the one thing that is most important to these kids, is the one thing they’re running out of. Time with their families.
Finally, they ALL valued time with their family. Nothing was more important.
'Mum and dad are the best!'
'My sister always hugs me tight'
'No one loves me like mummy loves me!' /11— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Dr.McAlpine ends his twitter thread with these words of wisdom:
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, MD (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
To date, McAlpine’s tweets have been shared more than 67,000 times. According to his twitter handle he is a “Pediatrician, reader, ultra-distance runner, music-lover and amateur foodie. Humanist and sceptic. Dislikes pseudoscience. Occasionally funny. Really.”
Clearly he hasn’t let his recent rise to fame affect his sense of humour. He posted this tweet about not taking things too seriously.
https://twitter.com/AlastairMcA30/status/959296360779464705
I’m not sure if he’s feeling the whole “pets make life better” vibe right now. It could be why he says to “hug your dog” and not your cat.
Regardless, want a great life? Be kind, show love, spend time with your family, laugh, read, and eat the damn ice cream.