There’s been a question circling around the internet for the last few months that I thought I’d answer. The question is, “if you were given one year left to live, would you tell anyone?” It’s a great philosophical question. Most people have answered that they wouldn’t tell anyone. They didn’t want people who weren’t actively part of their lives coming out of the woodwork to have a role in their final year. Which I completely get!
If I’m not important enough to be part of your regular life, why would you change it because I’m going to die?
Then again, what about the people who are part of my life that check in fairly regularly? Would I tell them? I had to give this some thought. I mean, if it was set in stone that I was going to die before Christmas 2024, who would I tell? Bigger question is, when would I tell them? And when do I tell my employer that I’m leaving? Because I’m not working until I die. (Hopefully)
First things first, I would have to get my financial affairs in order for the youngins. Then, I would tell the youngin that lives with me about the situation so we can talk about what will happen in the coming months. Then I would go about telling my immediate family.
When would you tell your friends, you may be wondering. Honestly, probably towards the end, like late summer, maybe. There’s a few reasons for that. First, while I love my friends to the moon and back, we’re not close close. Might see them once or twice a year or text every other month, but we’re not part each others lives that much. Second, because of that, I don’t want them to feel that they have spend time with me because of my prognosis or guilt. Third, I do a lot of my socializing on the computer anyway, so my leaving this planet would result in only one less notification people would get. In all honesty, I’d probably quit my job before I would tell my friends.
I would cash in some of my savings so I could do some traveling and cross some items off my bucket list while I still had some energy. There would be signs. Like my donation pile would finally be finished. Keeping only the minimal to keep me clothed.
This last part is very important. As of me writing this, my doctor hasn’t said anything about me dying anytime soon. It was a question I’ve seen a few times on various social media platforms. So, please, don’t start calling & texting me saying how much you love me and will miss me. Unless you really mean it.
Who would you tell? And when would you tell them?
Made Dames 