5-year-old cancer patient knew he was dying, so he wrote his own obit — it shattered the internet

Knowing he didn't have much time, the boy left an obit that became a legacy to live on in the hearts of many

PUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO

(L) Little boy with cancer cheerfully undergoing treatment in hospital. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| FatCamera), (R) Little boy engrossed in writing in diary. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images| JakoVo)

To know that you or a loved one is going to die is a devastating feeling. There’s nothing that can prepare a person for it, much less a child. Nevertheless, when 5-year-old Garrett Matthias knew that his cancer treatment wasn’t working, he had the most resilient and powerful attitude, per ABC News. The 5-year-old passed away on July 11, 2018, but made one special gesture before his passing. Garrett decided to write his own obituary and the vibrant message has made him a legacy that lives on in the hearts of many. In the GoFundMe back then, it was revealed that Garrett had Stage 4 Alveolar Fusion Negative Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer.

Little boy bravely undergoing treatment for cancer at hospital. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Fat Camera)

After battling it for a while, he learned that the cancer became resistant to treatment and that the 5-year-old was not going to make it. As the family braved this heartbreaking reality, the little boy decided that he wanted to write his own obituary. His mother, Emilie, was on board with the plan. She had been sharing his journey through her posts on Facebook. "We didn't believe writing a 'normal' obit would do his personality justice and we wanted to ensure the reason he died —cancer — was highlighted," she said. Published in the Des Moines Register, the boy created a one-of-a-kind obit that brought many to tears.

Mom emotionally hugging terminally ill son battling cancer in hospital. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by EvgeniyShkolenko)

The obit read, “Garrett Michael Matthias AKA ‘The Great Garrett Underpants.’” His mom and dad, Ryan, sat together and created a bunch of questions for Garrett to capture who he truly was. These included basic ones like his name, favorite color and other questions about his personality. Being a fan of heroes, his parents were sure to include his love for “Batman…and Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and Cyborg.” Garrett also included his favorite people, hobbies and the things he loved to do. However, what brought bittersweet laughter were the things the 6-year-old’s pure heart “hated.”

Little boy battling cancer wearing superhero cape and enjoying. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Fat Camera)

“Pants!, dirty stupid cancer, when they access my port, needles, and the monkey nose that smells like cherry farts…I do like the mint monkey nose like at Mayo Radiation and that one guy that helped me build Legos (Randy),” he wrote. The latter part of the obit included details after Garrett’s passing. It read, “When I die: I am going to be a gorilla and throw poo at Daddy!” “Burned or Buried: I want to be burned (like when Thor's Mommy died) and made into a tree so I can live in it when I'm a gorilla.” “Big or Small Funeral: Funerals are sad, I want 5 bouncy houses (because I'm 5), Batman, and snow cones,” the boy wrote. "He goes, 'At my funeral, it’s gonna be a happy time,'" Ryan recalled, per Very Local.

"When we finished it and read it out loud my husband and I both laughed and cried," Emilie said. It was painstakingly the closest depiction of their chirpy little boy. "We reminisced a lot about G and how much this obit perfectly captured his personality. We were both thrilled we had jotted down some of our conversations and were able to use his words,” the mom added. In a video shared by KCCI Garrett's last wish of a bouncy houses was wholesomely fulfilled. In his honor, his parents organized the setup just as he'd asked for fellow kids. Towards the end of the obit, the parents thanked everyone involved in caring for Garrett.

“Garrett endured nine months of hell before he lost his battle with cancer. During that time, he never lost his sense of humor,” they wrote. They even signed off the obit with a salutation as Garrett would. “See ya later, suckas! - The Great Garrett Underpants,” it read. In an update, it was revealed that the parents were closer to finding the perfect spot to put Garrett’s ashes just as he wished. His story was even turned into a children's book titled, “Dirty, stupid cancer.” The update concluded, “We miss our Garrett every single day, but are thankful for the time we had and the love he brought to the world.” Vickie Swartz wrote, "Just breaks my heart all of the things G had to endure." Bryce Roberts added, "Just atonished with how he managed to cope and keep a sense of humour. Such a role model."