What if someone told you that you only had 72 hours left to live? That’s three days! Just three! It’s not a lot of time at all, is it? But it’s also enough to do some really special things. Imagine what you could do with three days if you knew they were your last ones. Let’s talk about it, step by step.
Day One- A Day to Hug and Say “I Love You”
The first day would probably feel really big and scary because you’d know time is running out. But instead of being sad all day, you could spend it with the people who make your heart happy. Family, friends, pets—anyone who makes you smile.
Start by hugging them. Hug them tight. Then tell them, “I love you.” Because when time is short, telling people how much they mean to you becomes super important. Maybe you could even write them little notes, so they have something to remember you by forever.
After the hugs and “I love you, you might want to have a nice dinner together. Eat your favorite foods, whether it’s pizza, ice cream, or even broccoli (if you’re one of those people who actually likes broccoli!). Sit at the table, laugh a lot, and tell funny stories about your favorite memories.
Day Two: A Day to Do Your Favorite Things
The second day would be all about YOU! What are the things that make you the happiest? Maybe it’s playing a game, going to the park, watching a favorite movie, or eating cotton candy. This is the day to do it all.
If you love nature, you could take a walk and look at all the pretty flowers, trees, and clouds. Maybe, because they’re like nature’s way of painting a picture in the sky. If you love music, blast your favorite songs and dance like nobody’s watching. Or, if you’re more of a quiet person, you could read a book that makes your imagination go wild.
It’s your day, so you get to pick everything! Think about the things that make you giggle, smile, or feel peaceful. Then, just do those things without worrying about anything else.
Day Three: A Day to Be Brave and Kind
The last day would be the hardest, but it could also be the most special. It would be a day to be brave and make a difference in the world, even if it’s just a little bit.
Being brave doesn’t mean you have to fight dragons or jump off cliffs. It means doing something that’s hard but good. Maybe you could tell someone you’re sorry if you ever hurt their feelings. Or, you could forgive someone who hurt you. Being kind and forgiving is one of the bravest things you can do.
You could also spend this day helping others. Maybe you could donate your toys to kids who don’t have any. Or, you could bake cookies and give them to your neighbors to make them smile. Doing kind things for others makes your heart feel big and warm inside, and it’s a great way to leave a little bit of your love in the world.
What About the Scary Feelings?
It’s okay to feel scared or sad when you think about having only 72 hours left. Grown-ups feel that way too! But you can also choose to focus on the happy things, like all the love you’ve shared and the good memories you’ve made.
If you feel scared, try talking to someone you trust. Maybe they can hold your hand and help you feel better. And remember, it’s okay to cry. Crying is like giving your feelings a way to stretch out and breathe.
Why Does This Matter?
Even though most of us don’t know when our last 72 hours will be, thinking about it can help us live better. It reminds us to say “I love you” more often, to forgive faster, and to do the things that make us happy while we still have time. Life is a gift, and we should treat it like one every single day.
So, if you had 72 hours to say goodbye, what would YOU do? Would you hug your family extra tight? Would you eat a giant bowl of ice cream? Would you watch the stars and tell them all your secrets? Whatever it is, make sure it fills your heart with love, joy, and peace. Because those are the things that matter most—whether you have three days left or a million.
In the end, it’s not about how much time we have. It’s about how we spend it. So, go out there and make every day count, starting right now. Hug your people, eat the pizza, dance like nobody’s watching, and be kind. Because life is short, but it’s also beautiful.