Simon Boas’ Inspiring Reflections on Life and Death: A Journey of Love and Gratitude

Simon Boas, a former aid worker, reflects on his journey with terminal cancer, offering a poignant perspective on life and death.

Diagnosed with throat cancer at 46, the Channel Islands native discovered that his illness was terminal, prompting him to weave his profound insights into a book named ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Dying’.

Boas shared in an interview from the hospice where he now resides, expressing surprising contentment despite his condition. Embracing the inevitability of death, he emphasized the importance of cherishing life to the fullest.

Having worked extensively as a humanitarian in locations such as the Gaza Strip, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, Boas has witnessed death intimately intertwined with life, fostering a unique perspective on mortality.

Throughout his career with the UN and as a Samaritan volunteer, Boas found solace in contemplating the transient nature of existence, emphasizing the profound impact each individual can have during their time on earth.

Boas fondly acknowledges his wife, Aurelie, and family as they navigate the challenges ahead, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support during his final days.

As he approaches the end of his journey, Boas underscores the beauty of human interconnectedness, highlighting George Eliot’s quote from ‘Middlemarch’ on the ripple effects of unseen acts of kindness.

Despite his physical limitations, Boas finds comfort in simple pleasures like Muscadet, as he prepares to bid farewell to melted cheese, a longtime favorite that cancer has deprived him of enjoying.

With a mix of curiosity and readiness for what lies ahead, Boas invokes Julian of Norwich’s words, ‘All shall be well’, embracing the unknown with grace and acceptance.