In the horrible world we live in, there are few things as heartbreaking as a fatal childhood illness.
For nine challenging months, Ryan and Emilie Matthias had to watch their five-year-old son Garrett battle cancer, which gradually eroded their determination and optimism.
Even though Garrett had to deal with things no young boy should ever have, he never lost his sharp sense of humor.
Garrett was undoubtedly a unique individual. Not only did he not stop making his doctors and nurses laugh, but he also carried a steadfast spirit with him to the very end.
When his parents, Ryan and Emelie, learned that his cancer was terminal, they wanted to talk to him about his last wishes.
They sat down and talked to their child at length about death, hoping to dispel any fears he might have had.
Garrett handled it nicely, befitting his character. In fact, he composed his own obituary. It said:
“My name is Garrett. Boophias Michael
It’s my birthday. I am five years old. Here is my address: I’m a bulldog!
Blue is my favorite color, along with red, black, and green.
Batman is my favorite superhero, along with Cyborg, Iron Man, Thor and the Hulk. I want to be a professional boxer when I grow up.
“Mom, Dad, my sister “Delcina” (Delphina), grandparents with a new house (Fredric and Cheryl Krueger), grandparents with an RV (Daniel and Nita Matthias), my cousins Grady, London Marie and Luke, my aunt Janette and stinky uncle Andy (Andrew and Janette Krueger), those two guys, you know, my uncles (Kristopfer Krueger and James Taylor) and Batman!
“My favorite things include playing with my sister, my blue bunny, playing with Lego, my preschool friends, Batman, and falling asleep before I was allowed to use my port.
“Cancer, fools getting into my port, needles and that monkey nose that smells like cherry farts are things I hate. However, I appreciate the minty monkey nose at Mayo Radiation and the guy (Randy) who helped me build Lego .
“I’m going to be a gorilla and when I die I’m going to poop on my dad!
“Burned or Buried: I want to be turned into a tree and burned, like when Thor’s mother died, so I can live there when I’m a gorilla.
“Funerals are depressing, no matter the size: I want snow cones, Batman and five bouncy houses because I’m five years old.
“Emilie and Ryan Matthias will be celebrating Garrett’s life in accordance with his final wishes on Saturday, July 14th from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm at 2377 132nd Ct Van Meter, Lowa
“Note: There will be fireworks and a symbolic Asgard burial ceremony just after sunset.
“There will be a private burial of Garrett’s ashes at a later date once his parents figure out how the hell to turn his ashes into a tree and find a nature reserve to house his tree in a protected area.”
“I’ll be a gorilla and when I die I’ll poop on my dad!
“Burned or Buried: I want to be turned into a tree and burned, like when Thor’s mother died, so I can live there when I’m a gorilla.
Big or small, funerals always get me down. I want Batman, snow cones, and five bouncy houses (because I’m five).
“Emilie and Ryan Matthias will be celebrating Garrett’s life in accordance with his last wishes on Saturday, July 14th from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm at 2377 132nd Ct Van Meter, Lowa
“Note: There will be fireworks and a symbolic Asgard burial ceremony just after sunset.
“There will be a private burial of Garrett’s ashes at a later date once his parents figure out how the hell to turn his ashes into a tree and find a nature reserve to house his tree in a protected area.”
Last wishes
“Donations can be made directly to the family’s GoFundMe page or in Garrett’s memory to the University of Lowa Dance Marathon, The Pink Tractor Foundation and The Little Al Foundation, three of the many non-profit organizations that supported Garrett during his journey.
“We owe a huge debt to the many doctors, nurses, child life specialists, artists, art therapists and volunteers who gave everything to help Garrett beat cancer. For Garrett and many other children, childhood cancer is an ugly and unpleasant disease that wreaks havoc and kills , as with Garrett and many others before him. until no more child is deprived of their youth, no more sibling loses their best friend, and no more parent has to bury their child, we will work to find a solution.”
Garrett may have ultimately lost his battle with cancer, but even at such a young age, he died on his own terms and is still an inspiration to everyone he left behind.
Garrett’s story is a poignant reminder of resilience, humor and unwavering spirit in the face of unimaginable challenges. Despite battling cancer at such a tender age, Garrett’s personality shone through in every word he wrote for his obituary. His wit, his love of superheroes like Batman, and his desire to lively celebrate his life reflected a remarkable courage that touched the hearts of many.
His parents, Ryan and Emilie Matthias, walked the heartbreaking journey by his side, supporting his wishes and cherishing every moment. Garrett’s final wishes, from turning into a tree to his request for a celebratory meeting with Batman and fireworks, encapsulate an innocent yet profound understanding of a child’s life and death.
Beyond his personal story, Garrett’s obituary highlighted the broader impact of childhood cancer, a disease that robs children of their future and leaves families devastated. His parents’ commitment to raising awareness and supporting the organizations that helped Garrett during his illness is testament to their continued commitment to honoring his memory and advocating for others affected by similar hardships.
In celebrating Garrett’s life as he wished, his community and supporters continue to honor his spirit and the indelible mark he left. His legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all to cherish every moment and support the efforts to eradicate childhood cancer and ensure that no child faces such adversity in the future. Garrett’s courage and humor in the face of adversity will forever resonate and leave a lasting impact on those touched by his story.