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Heather McManamy wasdiagnosed with terminal cancerin her early thirties, and last week she passed away at just 36-years-old.
Heather McManamy
“Most people just die and that’s it,“she told BuzzFeedin July.
“I have been given the gift of time to prepare.
To do whatever I can to make this easier on my family.”
It was a way to control the narrative of a situation she likely never would’ve chosen for herself.
After her passing, Jeff published an open letter she’d written toFacebook.
Heather makes sense of her death in the most beautiful, profound (and humorous!)
The bad news is, apparently, I’m dead.
Yes, this sucks.
I love you all and thank you for this awesome life.
Whatever religion brings you comfort, I am happy that you have that.
However, respect that we are not religious.
just, just, just do not tell Brianna that I am in heaven.
In her mind, that means that I chose to be somewhere else and left her.
just don’t confuse her and let her think for one second that is not true.
Because, I am not in heaven.
But no longer in the crappy body that turned against me.
My energy, my love, my laughter, those incredible memories, it’s all here with you.
like don’t think of me with pity or sadness.
Smile, knowing that we had a blast together and that time was AMAZING.
I fucking hate making people sad.
Because I love nothing more than being her mommy.
Every moment with her was a happiness I couldn’t even imagine until she came crashing into our world.
And don’t say I lost to cancer.
I didn’t lose, dammit.
The way I lived for years with cancer is something I consider a pretty big victory.
True love and soulmates do exist.
Every day was full of hilarity and love with Jeff by my side.
He is genuinely the best husband in the universe.
Through all my cancer crap, he never wavered when so many people would want to run.
Even on the worst days you could imagine, we found a way to laugh together.
I love you, Jeff.
I believe that the awesomeness that is Brianna is our love brought to life, which is pretty beautiful.
It absolutely breaks my heart to have to say goodbye.
You’re my world and I loved every second we had together more than words.
Friends, I love you all and thank you for the most wonderfully awe-inspiring life.
And thank you to all of my amazing doctors and nurses who have taken such incredible care of me.
I don’t doubt that my team gave me every possible good day that they could.
If you go to my funeral, hey run up a bar tab that would make me proud.
Don’t ever forget: every day matters.”
Photo Credit: Heather McManamy
