Widowed Dad Raises Sons Using Bucket List Late Wife Created For Them
A dying wife’s heartbreaking bucket list helped her husband through heartache and created a legacy inspiring countless others.
They were soulmates
Since meeting at an ice skating rink, St. John (who goes by the name Singe) and Kate were inseparable. They shared a strong love for the outdoors and for each other.
"When you’re that much in love with each other, it’s the only way to be"
- Singe Greene
Soon after they married, they welcomed their first child, son Reef, into the world. Their delight at expecting a second boy, Finn, was cut short when they found a lump on Reef’s stomach.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, doctors' diagnosis, giving Reef only a slim chance to live, sent a shocked Kate into early labor. She delivered Finn two months prematurely.
Sitting by his bedside, Kate told Mirror she would "swap places with Reef in a heartbeat."
In a shocking and sad twist, that is exactly what happened.
Trading places
One day, Kate noticed a lump on her breast. She was diagnosed with cancer, but given an 80% chance of survival.
Yet after weeks of chemotherapy, her condition deteriorated until it became terminal.
Meanwhile, Singe and Kate's beloved son Reef’s health improved so much that he was running and riding a bicycle. Younger brother Finn was also on the mend.
"It was as if someone had said, 'We’ll let you have Reef, but you can’t have both'"
- Singe Greene
A dying mother's wish list
With little time left, Kate made a list containing both guidance for Singe and a bucket list of adventures for her sons.
"Kate’s thinking was that if she couldn’t do the things we had planned, at least I could do it with 'bits of her', meaning our boys"
- Singe Greene
Scribbling on post-its or texting when too weak to write, she asked Singe to "make sure the boys have a playroom", "go to as many school assemblies as possible" and to "kiss them goodnight."
She also wanted them to one day go "scuba diving with fishes in Egypt" and "attend a rugby match", their favorite sport.
Kate also left memories for her sons to remember her by, like how "mummy loved how sparkly Reef and Finn’s eyes were in Lapland," and that she "loved guinea pigs and butterflies, Walnut Whips, strawberry cheesecake".
"Now when the boys smell strawberries" Singe says, "they think: Mum."
Love leaves legacies
Although her absence still weighs heavily on her loved ones, Kate's legacy not only endures but expands.
That's because in an "effort to stay upbeat," Singe has turned Kate's final wishes into a book: 'Mum's List'. It has since been turned into a movie, starring Emilia Fox as Kate.
Singe is happy that this gave the boys a special memory of their own mom.
"I wanted them to get an idea of what she was like – she was pretty cool!" he says.
Singe is still amazed at his late wife's strength during her final days.
"Even when she lay dying, she used her very last reserves of energy to do something life-changing"
- Singe Greene
We often think of legacies as leaving a large inheritance or some prestigious award. Yet more often, it's things like a mother's lasting love that stand the test of time.
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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.