Photo Credit: Holly Butcher/Facebook, (2)
Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in January 2018.
In the age of viral trends and internet sensations, a heartfelt letter by a young woman, Holly Butcher, has emerged as a powerful reminder to cherish life. Holly, a 27-year-old from Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, lost her battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the bones, on January 4. Before she passed away, she penned a poignant letter, which her family posted on her Facebook account. The letter quickly spread across the internet, deeply impacting thousands.
Photo Credit: Holly Butcher/Facebook
In her letter, Holly candidly expressed the realization of her mortality at a tender age. She wrote, “It’s a strange thing to realise and accept your mortality at 26 years young.” The poignant note continues, addressing the trivial stresses that often dominate our lives.
She implores people to let go of “meaningless stresses” such as traffic, body image concerns, or materialistic pursuits. Holly’s message is clear: life’s beauty lies not in these trivialities but in our appreciation of good health and the fleeting moments we share with loved ones.
Photo Credit: Holly Butcher/Facebook
“Let all that s*** go,” she advises. “It is so insignificant when you look at life as a whole.”
“Appreciate your good health and functioning body, even if it isn’t your ideal size. Look after it and embrace how amazing it is. Move it and nourish it with fresh food. Don’t obsess over it.”
Holly also emphasizes the importance of forging real connections with friends and family, instead of losing ourselves in the digital world. She urges people to treasure experiences over material possessions and to be fully present in life’s moments, rather than capturing them through screens.
Photo Credit: Holly Butcher/Facebook
“Life isn’t meant to be lived through a screen nor is it about getting the perfect photo. Enjoy the bloody moment, people! Stop trying to capture it for everyone else.”
In her closing words, Holly delivers a powerful message about the significance of blood donation. She reveals that blood donations prolonged her life for an extra year, a year she cherished with family, friends, and her loyal dog.
Photo Credit: Holly Butcher/Facebook
Holly’s letter, filled with wisdom beyond her years, serves as a poignant reminder to appreciate life’s simplicity and embrace its fleeting moments. It encourages us to focus on love, real experiences, and the joy of being present. Her legacy resonates with the thousands who have shared her message, proving that her light continues to shine, even as her battle with cancer has come to an end.
