LJ asked me to write it down when she woke from the coma. It seemed important to her, so I kept a copy. Seeing as her mum threw hers out, I figured she wouldn’t lose it this way.

I’m William James Carter. My friends call me Will,” he says. “I’m Lucy Janette Phillips,” I reply. “Nice to meet you, LJ,” he says. Warmth flows through my body. I have a nickname.

The more happiness you put out into the world, the more will find its way back to you. If I can make one person’s day better because of my actions, it’s been a good day for everyone

Why try to fit in when you were born to stand out?” “I’m nothing special. I’m drowning,” I whisper. “Then kick out. Put one arm in front of the other. That’s all there is to swimming.

The Elders say we should not compare ourselves to others, otherwise we may become vain and bitter. Always there will be greater and lesser persons than ourselves

Everything I’ve done has made its mark somewhere, even into the future

Death is a strange creature. I watch it pursue the weak relentlessly. Some fight it with every breath in their bodies. One or two even survive. Others simply surrender to it, too tired to keep going. They are the ones with nothing to live for. There is a peacefulness about them as they let go of life.

No one is perfect no matter how hard they pretend they are, so don’t compare yourself to them,” Will says.

You have to learn to love yourself. How can others appreciate what you have to offer if you don’t value yourself?

Acceptance brings calmness with it.