2015年4月1日 星期三

A touching goodbye letter




  • Sean McCabe was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and was given two months to live, so he started making preparations for his death
  • He booked the church for his funeral and selected songs to be played 
  • Father-of-three also penned a goodbye letter to be read to three children
  • Mr McCabe made recovery and cancer is now in remission, so he has rebooked the church to marry his long term partner Lisa Williams this year 


  • When father-of-three Sean McCabe got the devastating news that he had just two months to live he set about organising the funeral - choosing the music and even booking the church. 

    But in an extraordinary twist his cancer went into remission and he has now changed his reservation for his wedding to his fiancee Lisa Williams. 

    Mr McCabe, 30, of Tonyrefail, south Wales, even wrote a goodbye letter to his children for his partner to read to them once he had died after he was told he had stage four Hodgkin Lymphoma. 

    Sean McCabe planned his own funeral after he was told he had just two months to live, but after making a recovery he was told he was in remission and has rebooked the church for his wedding to Lisa Williams (left)
    Sean McCabe planned his own funeral after he was told he had just two months to live, but after making a recovery he was told he was in remission and has rebooked the church for his wedding to Lisa Williams 

    'When the doctors said my chances of survival were slim, all I could think about was Lisa and the kids. I didn't know how they would cope without me,' said Mr McCabe, a security guard. 

    'Planning my funeral seemed like a way of easing the strain for them, as it would be one less ordeal for them to deal with.'


    Mr McCabe booked St David's Church for his funeral, only to be able to rebook the venue for his wedding
    Mr McCabe booked St David's Church for his funeral, only to be able to rebook the venue for his wedding

    Doing all he could to cope with his diagnosis, Mr McCabe booked St David's Church for his funeral, in late January 2014.

    He instructed Miss Williams to ensure his favourite song, 'Who You Are' by Jessie J was played, and ordered mourners not to wear black. As preparations got underway he picked the site for his family to scatter his ashes, and penned a heart-wrenching letter to be read to his children after his death, telling them: 'I don't want to leave you or mammy, but I haven't got an option.'

    But he managed to make a remarkable recovery and was told his cancer is now in remission.  

    He said: 'A year ago I was planning my funeral at that church, and now I'm planning our wedding there.

    The father-of-three (centre) made a miraculous recovery and is pictured with his family (from left to right) Sumer McCabe, 8, Lisa Williams, 30, Asia McCabe, 7, and Kian McCabe, 12
    The father-of-three (centre) made a miraculous recovery and is pictured with his family (from left to right) Sumer McCabe, 8, Lisa Williams, 30, Asia McCabe, 7, and Kian McCabe, 12

    Mr McCabe wrote a note to this three children to be read out to them by their mother after he died 
    Mr McCabe wrote a note to this three children to be read out to them by their mother after he died 

    'When Lisa walks down the aisle with our children as page boy and flower girls I'll be fighting back tears, because we could have been in that church under very different circumstances.'

    He is now due to marry Miss Williams July 25, surrounded by their three children Kian, 11, eight-year-old Summer and Asia, six. 

    The couple have been together for 12 years. Miss Williams said: 'It's been a real rollercoaster ride, but I'm thrilled to finally being married to the man of my dreams.
    'He may have planned his own funeral, but I will definitely not let him plan the wedding all on his own.'


    Mr McCabe has revealed the contents of the letter he wrote to this three children. It said: 'To Kian, Summer, Asia, the most amazing children.

    'You have given me the best years of my life. Now I want you to know Daddy loves you and you will always be in my thoughts.

    'I don't want to leave you or mammy, but I haven't got an option.


    Mr McCabe said he is looking forward to getting married at the church and seeing his children involved 
    Mr McCabe said he is looking forward to getting married at the church and seeing his children involved 

    'Daddy has to you to heaven and you might not see me, but I will be watching over you always.

    'I want you to be happy because that makes me happy.

    'Now turn that frown upside down and be big and brave for Daddy, ok. Xxxxxxxxxx

    'And Kian my handsome boy, look after your two sisters for me and mammy. For me, butty. Love you all always and forever and ever. Daddy.

    Source: the Mail

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