Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Saturday 23 September |
Saint of the Day: St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Aleteia logo
Inspiring Stories
separateurCreated with Sketch.

What terminally ill kids said when asked what gives life meaning

CHILDHOOD,CANCER,LITTLE GIRL

Shutterstock

Sophia Swinford - published on 03/04/18

We could all use a little more of this beautiful honesty ...

When asked about the moments that give the most meaning to our lives, we might be tempted to search for something apparently profound to say. But when Twitter user Alastair McAlpine asked his terminally ill pediatric patients what brought the most joy and meaning to their lives, their answers showed a simplicity and honesty that we might run away from as adults.

From family to pets, from good books to random acts of kindness, these kids paid tribute to the little things in life, and Alastair tweeted them out for us.

You can read their responses below.

We can’t be told too many times to live for what really matters. As Alastair put it, “Be kind. Read more books. Spend more time with your family. Crack jokes. Got 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.”

Tags:
CharityChildrenSocial Media
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries


Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.