Which Life Event Would You Remove? Viral Reddit Thread Offers Raw Lesson About Gratitude
The last few months have given us all plenty of time to reflect on ourselves and our lives.
What am I proud of?
What changes do I have to make?
What new skill can I learn?
What do I want my life to be defined by?
Recently, someone on Reddit tossed out a hard-hitting hypothetical question that went viral and racked up over 31,000 comments:
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If you could remove one event from your life, what would it be?
A pretty intense question. Expectantly, it garnered some pretty intense answers. Yet found even within the most unimaginable trauma are lessons of gratitude. (Editor's note: Trigger warning -- the following content might be difficult to read and contains references to sexual abuse and other traumatic events.)
Loss of a loved one
To visit the page is to scroll through some of life's greatest suffering imaginable.
Few life-wounds fester like losing a loved one. For many of us, the souls on the planet who will love, embrace or accept us as much as family or cherished friends are rare.
My wife passing away. Let's just remove that part and have her sitting next to me right now talking about the ham she's going to make for Thanksgiving
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Many wondered how different (read: better) their life would be if their mother, brother, sister or father was still around.
Regret
Guilt and regret -- the first cousins of loss. It was a pervasive theme in the thread, with many of those wounds still very fresh for some users.
In one case, one user didn't have the chance to bury the hatchet with his grandfather before he died. "I'm sorry grandpa, I shouldn't have been so harsh on you. You were just trying to pass down your beliefs to me.. I'm sorry."
Another Reddit user was mourning from losing her sister to brain cancer one month before her 18th birthday: "I feel constant guilt that she didn't get to be here but I am, and shame that I'm wasting it"
Suffering abuse
From physical, sexual to mental abuse, including one person whose father would tease him about his weight as a child which "absolutely ruined his sense of self", there were many humans broken at the hands of other humans sharing their experiences on Reddit.
Other life events people would remove included being robbed by a good friend, witnessing a murder and "my first cigarette".
The human spirit shines through
But there is beauty to be found in the darkness. As moving as reading the many tragic events was the sheer outpouring of empathy and support from the Reddit community in practically every post.
"Good friend of mine had this happen to him. He was the nicest and coolest guy and still is. Keep your head up mate, and know your friends and fellow redditors are here for you"
"I lost my dad and sister both in 2019. Hugs to you."
Inspiring still was the ability for some, despite going through unspeakable tragedy, to focus on the positive in their lives.
I would say my marriage but it brought me my best friends that helped me after it ended. Also she got me to volunteer with her to help rehabilitate baby song birds at the university. Something I never would have thought of doing on my own.
-Grimmlan
I lost my dad when I was 3 so I really didn’t have any memory of him but I always wonder what my life would be like if he was alive. I used to get really down about it but I’ve found that it’s helped shape me into the man I am now along with my amazing mother and that it’s better to turn it into something positive. I hope you’re doing well.
- Wumbopower
Look for something positive each day, even if somedays you have to look a little harder
There's no getting around it: Some of the events described were horrifying, and unfathomable to imagine.
However, just like a flower sprouting through the crack of a cement sidewalk, there was also something special taking place. By coming together, many complete strangers managed to cultivate an attitude of gratitude -- despite their difficult life experiences.
By not only having gratitude, but also expressing it to others, we can help each other heal.
More uplifting news:
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.