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khp123 · May 23, 2010, 01:53 PM

My great uncle is dying.I knew he was unwell but didn't realize how serious it was.he is 80 and will be moving in a hospice.I don't know how long he has got,my parents say it could be a few weeks or months.I am nearly 16 and I only knew him for 3 or 4 years.I don't speak to him lots(he lives in london,I live in aberdeen)and don't have much in common with him but I think he is very interesting and have lots of respect for him.I don't know if I will see him again so I have been told to write him letters.can you please help me with what to put in these letters,if so thank you very much.

cdad · May 23, 2010, 04:30 PM

Don't focus on the negative and keep in mind the positive. Expresed how he enrichs your life no matter how much a part of it he is. You can ask for stories from him if you like and get him to talk about himself and the life he lived. This is a man that survived WW2. Don't forget that. He LIVED history.

DoulaLC · May 23, 2010, 04:31 PM

So sorry to hear this, but what a wonderful thing you are doing for him... and for yourself.

You mentioned thinking he is interesting... maybe talk about some of the things he has shared with you in the past. Stories of his youth, your family, his life over the years... anything you can think of. Tell him that you respect him and why... can you think of ways he has been there for you or other family members. Doesn't have to be anything grand... small, simple ways can be written about and shared.

Is he able to write back to you? Or perhaps someone there could write for him as he tells them what he wants to say. Ask him questions about some of his fondest memories, what he is most proud of, is there anything he would do differently, any advice he would like to share with you about work, family, education, etc..

Don't worry about mentioned his dying... he knows that he is and might actually want to "talk" about it.

Knowing that you have reached out to him will matter most, especially at this stage of his life. You will find it will give you some closure and a sense of peace knowing that you didn't let things go unsaid, as happens to so many people.

You are very brave and to be commended as many people would find it a very difficult thing to do... or not even care. Bravo!