TRAVELLING LIGHT

The Retelling of a Favourite Family Story Made My Aunt Smile on Her Last Day

Memories of her beloved, cheeky brother’s antics brought comfort as she slipped away

When my uncle Dick was four years old, he lived with his family in a little town in the Netherlands close to a train station. One day, he decided to leave home and set off on an adventure. He packed a little cardboard suitcase, put on his shoes and walked to the station.

When the train arrived, he climbed the steps and found a seat. He waited patiently with his suitcase by his feet. One of my grandfather’s co-workers sat opposite the little boy and recognized him. Noticing he was alone, he persuaded my uncle to get off the train and brought him home.

When my grandmother opened her little runaway’s suitcase, she found he’d packed only two items. Inside the tiny case were an apple and a single roller skate.

70+ years later —

While growing up, my uncle and his older sister, Magriet, were very close. When she was nearing the end of her life, my aunt decided to end her suffering with Medical Assistance in Dying.

I was my aunt’s only family member in Canada, and she asked me to accompany her on this heartbreaking journey. Unfortunately, COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented her beloved brother from being with us.

On Magriet’s last day, while waiting for the doctor to arrive, we sat reminiscing with two of her closest friends. We talked about all our family members far away who were with my aunt in spirit, holding vigil around the world.

I mentioned my uncle, and the tale of the little suitcase came up. As I retold the story to Magriet’s friends, my aunt’s eyes were closed, and she was smiling. At the end of the story, she whispered,

“Gilly, I’m ready to go, but I think I forgot to pack my little suitcase.”

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