1) The author's uncle was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer and asked the author not to change how they interacted or take on a more sympathetic tone despite his illness. 2) The uncle specifically asked the author to continue teasing and joking with him as they had in the past, saying this interaction brought him joy and energy. 3) The uncle advised the author to live without regrets by pursuing their dreams and creating happy memories rather than putting things off, as life is short.

1. Life is shortLive yourdream, Wear your passion

2. A recent incidentMyuncle has been diagnosedwith cancer stage four. I wasdisturbed, dejected and angry but helpless. I couldbarely focus on anything and lived in myownshell for couple of days. I could not talk to himanymorewithoutsympathy. I wanted to but I could not. He wasseekingreassurancefrom me when I couldgivehim none!

3. His RequestAs every person would do he embraced the bitter fact and I did too. I decided that everytime I speak to him I would try my best to be normal. But, the next time I talked to him he asked me of one thing which shook me completely. I did not expect those words from him during that time.

4. His Request Contd.He said, Pappu(my nickname) everytime I talked to you you made me happy, you made fun of me and I made fun of you and we laughed together. I was your accomplice in many mischievous deeds. You were indifferent to my age and always thought of me as a friend and not an uncle.

5. His Request Contd.I don’t want that to change, I will get sympathy, care and respect from lot of people in the family but I wont get the energy that I see and feel in you and nobody can be as MEAN as you. Who will taunt me every now and then. How can you devoid me of such wonderful experiences. Its going to consume me even before the devil does. Don’t change for me and don’t change in front of me…

6. His AdviceThe thing I want you to learn from this experience is Life is short, go get what you want, don’t live a life of complaints, live a life of memories. Do not postpone happiness. And, you who are a big sentimental fool, I do not want you to think back, think forward, think about what you want to be and just do it. Give it all you got and even more because you have much less time to impress me!

7. ConclusionI made this into a presentation as I wanted to preserve his words. They will always serve as motivation in tough times. I promise to give my best in everything I do! I give my word to him… Thank you Babai!