Heartbreaking letter from son is shared by family
A MOVING letter written by a terminally ill man shortly before his death has been shared by his family.
Liam Ashton-Hughes, who was 30, died last month after a long illness. From Harlech in Gwynedd, he had a lung transplant three years ago and contracted viral pneumonia two years later, something which caused significant damage to his lungs and led to him being diagnosed as terminally ill.
He also caught coronavirus while being treated at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and while he managed to recover from the virus, he died shortly afterwards on Sunday, March 14.
His funeral was held on Monday, March 29, and a letter he had written before his death was read out by his brother, Regan Ashton, during the service. In it, Liam asked his friends and family to “move on with your lives as normal”.
The letter read: “If you’re listening to this then I’m no longer around, please dear family and friends, try not to be sad, this is not the end, only the start of another part of life for me.
“You all know me to be somewhat of a geek, so remember the words of Yoda: ‘Death is a natural part of life, mourn them do not, miss them do not, but rejoice when those around you turn into the Force.’ That always gave me hope and a good feeling when things were bad.
“Move on with your lives as normal, if you speak of me, don’t do so in hushed tones or mopey faces, do so with smiles and laughter as you did with me in life. Remember the good times, not the bad, and please share those times and stories with others today and as you go on.
“Remember those times and hold them dear. They kept me going when things were at their worst and I hope they help you too.
“Never give in, no matter what you do, never give in. I believe life is a test and the hardship you endure in this life will be rewarded in the next. Always take another step, if that is of no avail then take another and another for in truth, any undertaking can be accomplished by many small steps.
“To my family, no one could have had a better family than you. I was truly blessed to have such a family. I love you with all my heart, I cannot say more than that.
“To all my friends, Jason, Lee and Phil, you were more like brothers than friends and I cannot explain how lucky I was to have such mates as you guys.
“I must leave now, but try not to be sad, you’re the best people a guy could know. God bless and may the force be with you always.”
Tributes to Liam have poured in, with North Wales Live reporting that he will be best remembered for his tireless work with the Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force (ACF), for which he was a volunteer for more than a decade.
His mother Clare posted her own tribute on social media the day after her son’s death, saying: “Last night my beautiful, bighearted boy passed away peacefully. We are devastated. Life is cruel and unfair but Liam, you continued in your bravery right until the very end.
“I was blessed to be with you and for that I am forever thankful. He gave his everything to everyone, was always kind and was the most amazing young man. I cannot imagine a life without him in it, but at least he is at peace. I was blessed to be your mum and it was an honour. Rest easy soldier, fly high and you can breathe easy now.”