Daughter makes a powerful gesture to honor late mom when meeting dad’s new girlfriend

Losing a parent is one of the most difficult times in anyone's life. It takes a lot of effort and work to get back to life after such a tragic event. This 20-year-old also had to go through this challenging time when she lost her mother. While her father moved on with a new girlfriend, she honored her mother in the best way possible. Kayla Menoscal—who goes by @kayla_menoscal on TikTok—shares a touching moment where she walks to meet her father, Dave, and his new girlfriend, Maria, with a smile.

In the clip, Menoscal playfully notes, “Strategically wearing my dead mom’s perfume to visit my dad and his new GF." As she walks, she lip-syncs to Fleetwood Mac’s haunting lyric, “You’ll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you” from the song “Silver Springs.”People watching the video suggested letting go and letting the dad start living again, "So is your  dad supposed to be miserable for the rest of his life, unless he killed her, in that case, carry on. But if not, get therapy," said @theuppitynegress. "I am confused. He is a widow? Doesn’t he deserve a second chance?" asked @jgol75. "Is he not supposed to be happy? Signed, a widow," commented @misschingonaca. @user353546677888 too added, "As a widow, my kids would never lol. They want to see me happy again."

Though most of the comments under Kayla's video were against her, some viewers were definitely in support. "I always wore my mom’s wedding band around my dad and his new wife (who he started dating 2 months after my mom died)," said @laurb4730. @mareubernardino also shared her experience saying, "me wearing my dead dad’s sweatshirt to visit my mom and her husband (who happens to be one my dad's best friends)." "My dad got with his girlfriend after 9 months of my mum dying she’s so lovely but it’s so weird. I wear my mum's perfume and clothes all the time," commented @whats_the_prob_d0g.

Menoscal’s mother, Sue was a teacher who passed away from cancer in 2022 at the age of 57. Sue was known for her signature scent, Coach’s floral Poppy fragrance. Menoscal tells TODAY, “When I wear it, I can almost see her face right in front of me. It’s like she’s here with me.” Kayla, who is studying in Boston, was just 18 when her mom passed away. “She was awesome,” Kayla says. “I feel like she really gave me the tools I needed to be an adult and to be okay without her. And I am so grateful for that.”

Dave Menoscal often posts tributes to his late wife on Instagram. Earlier this year, he wrote, "Susie, I keep watching for you to come through the door so that I know it’s all a bad dream. I still hide my tears when I say your name. The pain in my heart is still the same although I smile and seem carefree no one misses you more than me."

A similar story of handling death and moving on with life is the story of a widow. Obituaries are usually very sad, but Crystal Sauser from Nebraska wanted to honor her husband Eric in a special way. Eric, 43, passed away on February 26, 2021, after fighting cancer for two years. Crystal’s obituary, shared by the Omaha World-Herald, celebrated Eric’s fun and loving personality. “He’d be embarrassed by me calling him ‘dead sexy,’” Crystal mentioned how he’d love that his obituary was different. The tribute remembered Eric’s love for the Red Sox and his positive attitude. Since it was published, many people have responded with kind words, showing how much Eric inspired them. 

You can follow Kayla Menoscal (@kayla_menoscal) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.