Family struggles to hold back tears as they wish terminally-ill father 'Happy Birthday' one last time
The scene begins with the dad, standing quietly in front of a cake glowing with candles, wearing a birthday hat and surrounded by his children.
Celebrating a birthday is often a joyous occasion, but when it is clouded by the knowledge that it may be the last, the moment takes on a bittersweet and emotional weight. A touching video captures a similar emotion as a family gathers to celebrate what may be the last birthday of their terminally ill father. In the video posted by the wife Amanda—who goes by @tiktokisforrelaxing on TikTok—the family is seen trying to sing “Happy Birthday,” but the weight of the moment is overwhelming. The dad, wearing a birthday hat, stands quietly in front of a cake lit with candles, surrounded by his children.
One child starts to sing, but their voice falters, reflecting the emotions that everyone is trying to hold back. The overlay text of the video reads, "POV: You can’t finish the song because you know it will be the last time you sing it to him, and he sees your face and knows it too." This simple yet heart-wrenching message resonated deeply with the viewers. @gcmag shared, "I hate anticipatory grief - literally the hardest thing I’ve had to battle since my dad’s terminal diagnosis. I don’t know you, but I’m sending love your way!" @snikkersnikkers said, "That oldest daughter is carrying so much and trying so hard. Poor baby, she’s so young to experience such grief."
Many empathized with the father. @holloway_rd commented, "The way we can see the kids all pretending to laugh and cough and all other gestures knowing they’re all just holding it together inside." @afelix.1893 wrote, "How he stood there for his daughters and smiled and then you saw the pain when he walked away. I'm so sorry. Why does life have to be unfair and scary." @bananesananw said, "The way his smile faded... It's so hard for them to know he will be gone soon."
@tiktokisforrelaxing #grief #ihatecancer ♬ Stuff We Did (from 'Up') - Piano Version - your movie soundtrack
After the father’s passing, Amanda shares another video that captures a deeply emotional moment when the children are given a special gift. Friends of the family created pillows out of his uniforms, each containing a letter their late father had written to them before his death. The video begins with the caption, “He didn’t want them to have the letters until they were 18,” as the children hold the pillows in their laps. “My friends wanted to give them pillows made out of his uniforms,” the video continues. The first child opens their pillow to find a letter carefully stitched onto it. “From the first time I saw you, you took my breath away. I never thought I could love someone so much,” he wrote to his daughter Vivian.
To his son, he penned a letter filled with excitement and dreams for their shared future. “God finally gave me a son! The first year of your life has been nothing short of amazing,” he wrote. “I can’t wait to start watching sports with you and doing guy things with you.” The youngest daughter’s letter recounts her first birthday and the joy she brought to their lives. “This past year has been nothing short of incredible,” he wrote, recalling her smile and the special bond they shared. As the children read their father’s letters, their expressions shift from surprise to tears, holding tightly to the pillows that now represent an irreplaceable connection to him.
@tiktokisforrelaxing I think God put it on Josh’s heart to write his kids letters on their birthdays every year. Pause at the end to read the letters ♥️ #grief #ihatecancer #healing #police #dad #fyp #creatorsearchinsights ♬ Boundless Worship - Josué Novais Piano Worship
You can follow Amanda (@tiktokisforrelaxing) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.
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