Doctors told mom she was dying. Her final wish was to care for her daughter — one last time

When someone is nearing the end of their life, the roles within a family often begin to shift. But in one family, a dying mother chose to preserve her role as caregiver in the most selfless way. In a video shared by Kristi D Johnson (@kristidjohnsonfam) on Instagram, a daughter documented her mother’s final act of love, asking her to schedule surgery early so she could be there to care for her, even while in hospice.

It all began in January 2021 when Johnson's mother asked her to schedule her knee surgery. "So I scheduled the surgery," she said, showing herself on the hospital bed. She wrote, "Even though she was already in hospice, she came to take care of me. She slept beside me in a chair." Her mother also "cleaned and cooked for two whole days despite her own pain." As the daughter recovered, her mother continued to nurture her through daily acts. "I snapped pictures of her, fearing this could be the last time she stayed at my house," one caption reads.

Eventually, that visit did become the last one. "She was gone a few months later," Johnson shared. After she passed, her family gave her what she had asked for. "We gave her the party she requested instead of a traditional funeral. We covered an event hall with all her beautiful pictures and all her art she created," Johnson said. That celebration included a table filled with her recipes that Johnsn made, including brownies, cookies, and family favorites she was known for. Johnson concluded with a heartfelt message, "She taught us to care for others. Hope we are making her proud."

Her mother’s final act was not only a moment of presence but also an expression of purpose. It reflected what The Motherhood: An Analytical Study describes as the core of maternal identity: a mother as the emotional anchor and "sun" of the family, whose love forms the foundation of a child’s emotional and psychological strength. The study emphasizes that motherhood is defined by profound selflessness, with mothers often prioritizing their children’s needs above their own. In choosing to care for her daughter one last time, even while dying, Johnson’s mother embodied that truth completely. The post drew a wave of emotional responses from viewers who connected deeply with the mother’s final gesture. 

@mcnamara_liam wrote, "Why does my algorithm tonight want me to be crying nonstop? This is beautiful." @osubuckeyesgurl said, "Nothing better than a mother's love. I lost my mom yesterday and would give anything to be with her again." @deiadrarose commented, "She got to care for her baby one last time. She got to be a woman who cared for her sick child, not a woman who is dying from cancer. You gave her the beautiful gift of JUST being your mama for 2 days. I am so glad that you both got to have that time together. Bless you both x." @leah_moellm added, "Making the recipes she was known for is SUCH a sweet idea. She seems like an amazing woman. I’m sorry for your loss." @paris_daybyday wrote, "What a beautiful day to celebrate your mom! Taking care of you was taking care of her."

You can follow Kristi D Johnson Fam (@kristidjohnsonfam) for more family content.