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Expert panel picks favourite Final Tweets
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If you were to share one Final Tweet, what would you write? That was the question we asked during this year's Dying Matters Awareness Week in May, and hundreds of you tweeted and emailed in response. The submissions ranged from the humorous, "Saving time this morning by making toast while I'm in the bath", to the poignant, "Don't forget to visit me".
A judging panel led by Gail Rebuck, pictured right, Chair of the UK arm of Penguin Random House, has now selected the top 20 Final Tweets from the hundreds submitted. Gail's late husband, Philip Gould, was Tony Blair’s chief political strategist. Following a diagnosis of terminal gastro-oesophageal cancer, Lord Gould spent the final months of his life writing 'When I Die: Lessons from the Dead Zone', a memoir of his illness in which he set out to "change the narrative about dying" as he accepted and then prepared for his death. The Dying Matters inaugural lecture, held during this year's Dying Matters Awareness Week, was held in Philip's memory.
The other members of the panel were Roger Kirkpatrick, past Managing Director of Berlitz Publishing and Marketing Director of the Random House group; and Simon Chapman, Director of Public and Parliamentary Engagement for the National Council of Palliative Care and Dying Matters.
The judges' top 20 Final Tweets
"Don't be sad, I'm not..." Kate Granger, left, a doctor who has terminal cancer
"Glad I have gone before Fiona. Probably couldn't cope without her. To kids: be happy but change the world. Ashes at Turf Moor." Alastair Campbell, right, writer and former Labour Party strategist .jpg)
"Damn – I had one more idea. Oh well, It's been great snapping everybody. Bye Baby, I'll miss you. X." Renowned photographer Rankin
"Never forget that the greatest thing a human being can give is love. I hope I've given enough love in my life." Fabian Hamilton MP
"I think I did okay. I'm scared, and that's okay too. But I loved more than I hated, and I leave better than I came." Seanan McGuire, science fiction writer
"It was fun while it lasted. Now, here's the baton - make the most of it." Humanist celebrant Trevor Moore
"Keep doing whatever you can to make the world better." Rabbi Pete Tobias, author and broadcaster
"I always said you can sleep when you're dead. Goodnight." Holly, fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis Society UK
"I died happy, remembering the taste of fresh figs, and beautiful friends." Maggi Boult, scientist
"Regrets? A few. But I've seen Lake Malawi's stars, loved my grandchildren and sons, been loved deeply by a good man. I may be back." Susan Dalgety, communications and media adviser
"Someone teach Richard to do the girls' hair, and make sure he dresses them properly: PJs are not day-wear." Company director Gemma Daoudi-Davis
"Don't forget there is a Sainsbury's fuel coupon on the magnetic board in the kitchen." Mike Pennell, co-founder of The Food Chain
"I didn't do it 'MY' way - I did it with everybody's help." Chris Richards
"Don't tweet me any more, I can't get reception here." Alida Benton, midwife
"I think that went well." Debbie Lantsbury, Masters student
"Think not about what we can't do apart: but what we did do together." Sam Waterton, PR and social media professional
"Don't waste time with anger and regret. Love fully and often. Be good to yourself and others. Smile and laugh!" Jennifer Boze, marketing and membership coordinator for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
"I knew this was coming, I just wished I'd planned it better." Paul Hensby, founder of My Last Song
"You only live twice. Once when you are born. And once when you look death in the face." James Bond author Ian Fleming, suggested by Dying Matters' Simon Chapman
"Promise me that you will be the best you can be. Love completely (no half measures), laugh heartily and never feel guilty about enjoying every second of your life. I will always love you." Corinne Parker
Other tweets
As well as the submissions from Alastair Campbell and Rankin, Final Tweets also attracted submissions from actor and writer Stephen Fry, former Conservative MP and author Louise Mensch and comedian Iain Lee.
Stephen Fry tweeted: “Goodbye, it’s been fun, sorry to leave the party early.” Louise Mensch cited the Catholic prayer book, writing: “Of your charity, pray for the repose of my soul. I hope to see you all again. With love, Louise.” Comedian and presenter Iain Lee, meanwhile, shared a pithy: "I'm sorry."
Here's just a small selection of some of the other Final Tweets submitted.
Humorous
- Parting is such tweet sorrow.
- Saving time this morning by making toast while I'm in the bath.
- I do understand electricity. I'm just not sure where this wire goes.
- I think I'd like a second opinion, doctor.
- Did I turn the (insert generic electrical item) off?
Tweetus interruptus
- You're insatiable...
- You all know I have a small fortune hidden away but you don't know where. Well, I'll tell you. It's in...
- Final tweet? Over my dead bo...
- I wonder what this button does...
- And another thing...
Referencing popular culture
- Beam me up, Scotty!
- Live long and prosper.
- Be excellent to each other!
- So long and thanks for all the fish.
- The coffee pot is cold, the jokes have all been told. Goodbye to all the souls who sailed with me the longer way" (Billy Bragg's 'Goodbye, Goodbye')
Giving thanks for life
- Ladies & gentlemen, friends, family & foes, "Thank you" for making my life what it was. Farewell, an epic journey now awaits.
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That was fun, thanks for everything. I need a hug now. Love & kisses.
- Remember to die is to have lived, so live life with love and grace. Thank you for my life; a fond farewell until I see you again.
- I have loved living, spending my life with you and been sustained by your love for me. Thank you. And now for my eternal rest.
-
To my family: my love for you is beyond measure & everlasting.Thank you for being my greatest gift in life.
Passing on advice
- Cherish everything.
- Think not about what we can't do apart, but what we did do together.
- Don't waste time with anger and regret. Love fully and often. Be good to yourself and others. Smile and laugh!
- If you get a chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance! I'll dance with you wherever you may be.
- I'm an ancestor now and wise! Do what makes your heart sigh, do what makes your spirit fly and with all your living soul, love.
Poetic
- Time for me to go, loved my life with its ups & downs & the people I've met along the way, now scatter my ashes in Seaford Bay.
- If tomorrow never shows, I want you all to know that I love you all, you're beautiful and I had myself a ball.
- I enjoyed it, hope you have too; I tried to make a difference, can you?Just one more gin and tonic, that will do.
- Just one last kiss and I'll be gone, my friends, I am carried on the wind once more, rejoicing in the memory of you all.
Reuniting with loved ones
- At last, Finley, I can hold you in my arms again. We'll watch over our family together.
- Get the footy on, Mel, I'm on my way!
- Mum it's been too long, destroyed I couldn't save you. When I hug you now I am never letting go.
- Those I lost stayed close for an eternity despite the veil between us. My turn now to sit and wait for my beloved.
- One last hug, then I'm off on my final journey. I hope it's a gentle ride and there's a lot of family to meet on the other side.
Resigned/Ready
- That's it. I'm out of here.
- My final breath will be one of relief.
- I have lived a life that was not too full, but full enough to satisfy me, which means I am ready to go.
- Hey, I'm not in work Monday or, come to think of it, ever.
- I think I did okay. I'm scared, and that's okay too. But I loved more than I hated, and I leave better than I came.
More
Rankin's 'Alive in the Face of Death' exhibition (external link)
