Life Lessons from a Young Woman Facing the End

When Holly Butcher, an American, celebrated her 27th birthday, she had no idea she would profoundly impact millions with a letter she wrote—just one day before she passed away.

Shortly before this, Butcher had been diagnosed with cancer, but on her birthday, she decided to write a letter full of life lessons for those she loved. Less than 24 hours later, she had passed, yet her words have continued to spread across the internet. "It's strange to have to accept your mortality at a young age," Butcher begins her letter. "We assume the days will keep coming — until the unexpected happens."

In her letter, Butcher shares her aspirations of starting a family and growing old surrounded by loved ones. "I'm 27 now and I don't want to go, I love my life and I'm so happy, but I have no control over this."

"Every day, I hear people complaining about how hard it is"

Butcher expresses frustration at how people tend to ignore death and focus on temporary worldly matters instead of eternal purpose. "We treat death like a taboo, something that won't really happen to us. But here's the thing: our lives are fragile, precious, and unpredictable, and every day is a great gift to be used wisely. Stresses? Stop worrying about them. They don't matter. Remember we all end up in the same place, so do what you can to make your life truly meaningful, without all the stressors along the way. I often see people complaining about nothing and wonder — why? It seems ridiculous to me. Consider someone who is truly suffering, whose problems are huge... What can you do to help them? Go outside and be part of other people's lives who can't change things for themselves, go out and see how blue the sky is and think how lucky you are just to be able to do that — to breathe."

Butcher continues, acknowledging the inevitable situations where "you're stuck in traffic and late for an important meeting, haven't slept well because of a baby or your paycheck hasn't arrived on time — but I promise you when your time comes, none of these things will matter. As you look back at the timeline of your life from above, all this becomes insignificant. Day by day, I see my body deteriorate in front of my eyes and there's nothing I can do, nothing to change it."

"Every day I hear people complaining about work being tough or about being fed up with exercising, and it bothers me because honestly, you should be thankful to work, to have a routine, and that you're healthy enough to keep going. Take care of your body even if it's not ideal in your eyes, eat healthy, and stay away from harmful things, and don't be obsessed with your body. It's nonsensical to be a slave to something that will be gone soon."

"...because you spent all your money on fleeting material pleasures"

Butcher also speaks to young adults who have turned means into ends and celebrate the body in the name of vanity — what Judaism calls 'Greek culture'. "Stop idolizing that perfect body sold on social media and in the media — those who define it are fools. There's no perfect body, it's unimportant. What's important is a body blessed with good health — and I'm not just speaking physically. Just as you invest in physical aspects, work hard at achieving your mental, emotional, and spiritual happiness. Complain less, give more, make giving your life's purpose. They say it's more rewarding to give to others than to yourself, and it's true. I only wish I understood this before while I was well."

Near the end of her letter, Butcher describes the savings she amassed to spend on clothes and other worldly items. "Don't miss out on helping others and uplifting experiences because you've spent all your money on material, fleeting pleasures. It's nonsense. It's strange to have lots of money to spend just as you're dying. It's foolish to waste so much on new clothes and things that won't move us forward in life. What can you do with money? Instead of spending it on yourself, buy something nice for a friend. Invite your loved ones to a meal, buy them a plant or candle. Be there to cheer them up, give them what they lack. Who cares if you wear the same outfit twice? Do you honestly think anyone remembers?"

And about time? Butcher addresses that too, writing: "Just as our time is valuable, so is the time of others. Respect others' time and don't make them wait for you. If you have plans, be on time, and if you know you'll be late, leave an hour earlier. Talk to your friends every day and ask how they are. Don't let days pass without making them truly meaningful. Work to live, don't live to work," she concludes.