Alastair McAlpine is a pediatrician and participates in the Paedspa program that provides palliative care to children in Cape Town, South Africa. His patients are children between 4 and 9 years with terminal illnesses, and seeing too many negative stories appear on his Twitter account, the doctor decided to inspire all his followers with reflections from the little ones.
A couple of days ago he shared on his Twitter profile the answers that his patients gave him when asked what they had enjoyed most in their lives. Once again, children give us a lesson in wisdom that moves us.
For an assignment, I asked some of my terminal paediatric palliative care patients what they had enjoyed in life, and what gave it meaning. Kids can be so wise, y'know. Here are some of the responses (Thread).
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
For one task, I asked some of my palliative terminal patients what they enjoyed most in their lives, and what made sense. Children can be so wise, you know? These are some of the answers.
First, he shared what none said in their answers. A sign that children have very clear priorities:
First:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
NONE said they wished they'd watched more TV
NONE said they should've spent more time on Face Book
NONE said they enjoyed fighting with others
NONE enjoyed hospital
/1
None said they wanted to watch more TV
None said they should have spent more time on Facebook
None said he enjoyed fighting with others
None enjoyed the hospital
The pets They turned out to be a very significant part in their lives:
MANY mentioned their pets:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'I love Rufus, his funny bark makes me laugh.'
'I love when Ginny snuggles up to me at night and purrs'
'I was happiest riding Jake on the beach.'
/2
Many mentioned their pets:
"I love Rufus, his funny bark makes me laugh."
"I love it when Ginny snuggles with me at night and purrs"
"I was the happiest riding Jake on the beach."
It is touching the concern shown by children for the suffering of their parents:
MANY mentioned their parents, often expressing worry or concern:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'Hope mum will be ok. She seems sad. '
'Dad mustn't worry. He'll see me again soon. '
'God will take care of my mum and dad when I'm gone'
/3
Many mentioned their parents, often expressing concern:
"I hope mom will be fine. She looks sad."
"Dad shouldn't worry. He'll see me again soon."
"God will take care of my mom and dad when I'm gone."
A preference that all children have in common:
ALL of them loved ice-cream.
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
/4
They all love ice cream
A hobby that has made them happy, and of which we must take note, as the pediatrician points out the end of the Tweet "People, read to your children! They love him "
ALL of them loved books or being told stories, especially by their parents:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'Harry Potter made me feel brave.'
'I love stories in space!'
'I want to be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes when I'm better!'
Folks, read to your kids! They love it. /5
Everyone loved reading books or being told stories, especially their parents:
"Harry Potter made me feel brave"
"I love stories in space!"
"I want to be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes when I'm better!"
The importance of having life with true friends:
MANY wished they had spent less time worrying about what others thought of them, and valued people who just treated them 'normally'.
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'My real friends didn't care when my hair fell out.'
'Jane came to visit after the surgery and didn't even notice the scar!' / 6
"Many wished they had spent less time worrying about what others thought of them and valued those who treated them 'normally'."
"My true friends didn't care when my hair fell out."
"Jane came to visit me after the surgery and didn't even notice the scar!"
Many of them loved swimming, and the beach.
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'I made big sandcastles!'
'Being in the sea with the waves was so exciting! My eyes didn't even hurt! ' / 7
Many of them loved swimming and the beach
"I made big sandcastles!"
"Being at sea with the waves was so exciting! My eyes didn't even hurt!"
Children value the kindness of people above all:
Almost ALL of them valued kindness above most other virtues:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'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. '
'I like it when that kind nurse is here. She's gentle. And it hurts less' / 8
"Almost everyone valued goodness over other virtues:
"My grandmother is very kind to me. She always makes me smile."
"Jonny gave me half of his sandwich when I didn't eat mine. That was nice."
"I like it when that kind nurse is here. It's gentle. And it hurts less."
The children remembered the wonderful power of laughter. "Laughter relieves pain," says Alastair.
Almost ALL of them loved people who made them laugh:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'That magician is so silly! His pants fell down and I couldn't stop laughing! '
'My daddy pulls funny faces which I just love!'
'The boy in the next bed farted! Hahaha! '
Laughter relief pain. / 9
Almost everyone remembered fondly the people who made them laugh.
"That wizard is so dumb! His pants fell off and I couldn't stop laughing."
"My dad puts funny faces that I love"
"The boy in the next bed shot!"
Toys and superheroes They occupy a special place:
Kids love their toys, and their superheroes.
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'My Princess Sophia doll is my favorite!'
'I love Batman!' (All the boys love Batman)
'I like cuddling my teddy' / 10
Children love their toys and their superheroes
"My Princess Sofia doll is my favorite!"
"I love Batman!" (All children love Batman)
"I like to hug my stuffed animal"
Finally, they ALL valued time with their family. Nothing was more important.
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
'Mum and dad are the best!'
'My sister always hugs me tight'
'No one loves me like mummy loves me!' /eleven
The really important, the family:
Finally, everyone valued time with their family. Nothing was more important.
"Mom and dad are the best."
"My sister always hugs me tight."
"Nobody loves me like Mommy loves me!"
To conclude, the pediatrician reminds us to take note:
Take home message:
- Alastair McAlpine (@ AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Be kind. Read more books. Spend time with your family. Crack jokes. Go to the beach. Hug your dog Tell that special person you love them.
These are the things these kids wished they could've done more. The rest is details.
Oh ... and eat ice-cream. / End
Take the message home: Be kind. Read more books. Spend time with your family. Make jokes. Go to the beach. Hug your dog. Tell that special person that you love her.
These are the things that these children wish they could have done more. The rest are details.
Oh ... and have ice cream.
The children are great wise
Grown ups we have so much to learn from children... We should value more the little things in life, and be happy with simple and everyday things like a smile or a kind gesture.
And of course, as parents, we must take note of what gives meaning to their lives and strive to give them to them. Our time, our love, read them a book, the love of a pet, the beach or an ice cream. Sharing good moments with them are the things that our children value most, and that paradoxically, they don't cost money.
