Woman Writes Her Own Obituary Before Passing Away, Includes Advice For Those She Left Behind

Sep 10, 2019 by apost team

Facing a terminal illness is an awful and dreadful reality. As human beings, we are hardwired to embrace life and put off thoughts of death. But this lady's actions when she was faced with her own mortality have been a source of inspiration for many.

Back in 2016, a 38-year-old mother of two named Sonia Todd received some sobering news. She had cancer and when her own looming demise approached, the resident of Idaho decided to write her own obituary to comfort not only herself but the people in her life as well.

Todd began her obituary on Legacy.com by telling the reader that she died from terminal cancer at the young age of 38. She wrote:

"My name is Sonia Todd and I died of cancer at the age of 38. I decided to write my own obituary because they are usually written in a couple of different ways that I just don't care for."

She went on and described the two ways that people most often write obituaries:

"Either, family or friends gather together, and list every minor accomplishment from cradle to grave in a timeline format, or they try and create one poetic last stanza about someone's life that is so glowing one would think the deceased had been the living embodiment of a deity."

Although she was facing her own death, Todd's written words were composed and full of truth. Miraculously, they ring as if she wasn't scared about dying. No doubt, her sober tone may have helped anyone who was also facing their own mortality. 

As she continued her obituary, Todd confessed that she never did anything worthy of the history books. She said that her greatest accomplishments were giving birth to her two sons, James and Jason, getting married to her loving husband, Brian and putting her faith in Jesus Christ. Todd also noted that she didn't want to put her friends in a position where they might have to lie or embellish something to make people believe that she lived a more interesting life.

She added that the thing she wants people to know the most about her is that she tried every day to be the best she could, and many times she fell far short of her goal. Todd also wrote that she truly loved everyone in her life. When she was given her terminal diagnosis, the young mom realized that the things that stood out for her the most were simple sins and moments she unintentionally hurt others. She came to regret the times that she wasn’t sensitive enough to the people in her life.

Todd later joked with her readers when she said that there are, in fact, benefits to dying young, such as never having to pay student loans and not having to worry about the ozone layer anymore. She knew that some people would call her morbid for writing her own obituary, but Todd said she did it to let the people in her life know how grateful she was for everything that they had done for her. In a touching moment, she said that knowing all of her good friends and family members made her life worth living.  

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In the latter part of her obituary, Todd even included a few things that she suggested people could do in honor of her memory. They included:

"Volunteer at a school, church or library.

Write a letter to someone and tell them how they have had a positive effect on your life.

If you smoke — quit.

If you drink and drive — stop.

Turn off the electronics and take a kid out for ice cream and talk to them about their hopes and dreams.

Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it.

Stop at all lemonade-stands run by kids and brag about their product.

Make someone smile today if it is in your power to do so."

Todd's short but powerful suggestions might seem small but they carry a lot of meaning. At the end of the day, life is all about the little things, as her moving obituary proves. If you have the ability to make someone's day a little better then take that opportunity, as you never know how you might affect someone else's life for the better.

Todd also gave thanks to "all the people who helped (her) along the way." She added:

"Those who loved me, assisted me, cared for me, laughed with me and taught me things so that I could have a wonderful, happy life. I was blessed beyond measure by knowing all of you."

While it's a bittersweet message that she left with the world, Todd's obituary has made a big impact on people everywhere. Even if you take just one thing from her message, remember to tell the people you love how much they mean to you. 

What do you think of Sonia Todd's obituary? How do you think you would react to a terminal diagnosis? If you were touched by this piece, then pass it on so others can read about it too.