Ryan and Emilie Matthias were forced to watch their 5-year-old son Garrett battle cancer for nine long months, and it steadily drained them of all their hope and resolve. In spit of the fact Garrett had to deal with something no innocent child ever should, though, not once did he lose his brilliant sense of humor…
It’s amazing how sometimes the deepest and most profound words of wisdom about life come from those who have spent so little time on Earth but went through so much.
Garrett, a 5-year-old boy had to say something about the important things we sometimes fail to cherish before he lost his battle to the terminal disease that made him endure many painful treatments.
It is devastating to see a child going through so much without being able to help them. The only thing Garrett’s parents, Ryan and Emilie Matthias, could do was to never leave their boy’s side, trying their best to make his last days as more bearable as possible. However, what they’ll remember him for is his amazing personality and his sense of humor he didn’t let go of even during the toughest of times.
The news of their son being terminal crushed these parents. They felt they had to tell him what was going on with him from the start and had a few conversations about death with little Garrett. They wanted to make sure he’s not scared.
This unbelievably brave boy never stopped smiling, and had the power to spread his optimism to everyone around, including his parents, the nurses, and the doctors.
He even wrote his own obituary that touched the hearts of many. This is what this little angel sent from Heaven had to say before he said his final goodbye.
“My name is: Garrett Michael Boofias
My birthday is: I am 5 years old
My address is: I am a Bulldog!
My favorite color is: Blue….and Red and Black and Green
My favorite superhero is: Batman…and Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and Cyborg
When I grow up: I’m going to be a professional boxer
“My favorite people are:
• Mommy, Daddy, my sister ‘Delcina’ (Delphina),
• The grandparents with the new house (Fredric and Cheryl Krueger),
• The grandparents with the camper (Daniel and Nita Matthias),
• My cousins: Grady, ‘that guy I took down that one time’ (Luke), and London Marie,
• My Auntie Janette and Stinky Uncle Andy (Andrew and Janette Krueger),
• Those two guys, you know, my uncles (Kristopfer Krueger and James Taylor)
• Batman!!
“The things I love the most: Playing with my sister, my blue bunny, thrash metal, Legos, my daycare friends, Batman and when they put me to sleep before they access my port.
“Things I hate: 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).”
“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.
Emilie and Ryan Matthias will honor Garrett’s final wishes by having a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 14th from 5pm – 11pm at 2377 132nd Ct Van Meter, Iowa.
“Note: Symbolic Asgardian burial ceremony and fireworks will be held just after sunset”
“A private burial of Garrett’s ashes will be held at a later time once his parents figure out how the hell to get his ashes made into a tree and locate a nature preserve, so his tree resides in a protected area.”
The parents simply knew they had to follow little Garrett’s wishes.
“Donations can be made directly to the family GoFundMe or in Garrett’s honor to a few of the many non-profits that helped Garrett along the way: The Little Al Foundation, The Pink Tractor Foundation, and the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.”
“We are so grateful to the many doctors, nurses, child life specialists, musicians, art therapists, and volunteers that worked tirelessly to cure Garrett of his cancer. The reality for Garrett and so many other children is pediatric cancer is an ugly, nasty beast that leaves a path of destruction. For Garrett and many others before him – cancer kills. Those that are ‘lucky’ enough to survive endure long-term debilitating side effects and the constant fear of relapse. We will fight for a cure until no other kids are robbed of their childhood, no other siblings lose their best friends, and no other parents have to bury their babies.”
“Garrett endured nine months of hell before he lost his battle with cancer. During that time, he never lost his sense of humor and loved to tease the doctors and nurses. From whoopie cushions and sneaking clothespins on their clothes to ‘hazing’ the interns and new staff doctors, he was forever a prankster. Nothing caught people off guard as his response to ‘see ya later alligator’:
“See ya later, suckas! – The Great Garrett Underpants”
The grieving parents will have to learn how to live with the loss of their loving boy, but they will always remember him as positive, funny, and amazing young man who made a difference in the life of many.
