Tears over dying kids’ joys

A CAPE Town paediatrician racked up retweets and tears yesterday by revealing what terminally ill children had most enjoyed in life.

Alastair McAlpine said that for an assignment he also asked the children what had given their lives meaning.

Here is some of the expanded thread he posted on Twitter.

ý None said they wished they had watched more TV.

ý None said they should have spent more time on Facebook.

ý Not one said they enjoyed fighting with others; and ý None enjoyed hospital. ý 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.”

ý Many mentioned their parents‚ often expressing worry or concern: “Hope mum will be okay. She seems sad.” ý All of them loved ice-cream. ý All of them loved books or being told stories‚ especially by their parents: “Harry Potter made me feel brave‚” “I love stories in space‚” and “I want to be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes when I’m better.”

ý Many valued people who just treated them normally: “My real friends didn’t care when my hair fell out‚” and “Jane came to visit after the surgery and didn’t even notice the scar.”

ý 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‚” and “I like it when that kind nurse is here. She’s gentle. And it hurts less.”