Mom's dying wish was to see son graduate, so his high school brought the ceremony to hospital bedside
As a parent, we want nothing but the best for our children. A parent’s love goes so far that even in their agony and struggle, they gain strength and hope from seeing their kids grow. Despite their everyday challenges, parents still move day after another, vouching for the best for their children. A mom, Stephanie Northcott, who was terminally ill, put all the pain behind her to prioritize a dream she had for her son, per CNN. The mom, who was suffering from Lynch syndrome, a condition linked with a rare form of cancer, had already built a grand dream for her son, Dalton, to graduate and receive his high school diploma, per CBS News.
Julie Northcott, her friend for over two decades recalled, “For two years, that’s all she’s (been) talking about. She wanted to make it to her son’s graduation.” While Dalton was almost done with his year and ready to graduate, the doctors weren’t sure that the mom would live to see her son’s special day. However, his graduation was all she had been living for, more than anything. She refused to go without seeing her son receive his degree and fought persistently. Julie, the family and school ensured her efforts wouldn’t go to waste and went one mile ahead to help her dream come true. “No matter what, you’re going to see Dalton graduate,” Julie assured the mom. So, with much thought in play, she decided if Stephanie couldn’t make it to the graduation, the graduation would come to her. “One way or another,” Julie remarked.
The principal only asked Julie for a “time and date,” and assured her that they’d be there. The hospital and school, together with Julie and others, planned a day and fulfilled the terminally ill mom’s wish of a lifetime. Around 20 kids, including Dalton, made their way with their graduation caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. However, instead of making their way to Halls High School, they went straight to the Baptist Memorial Hospital East in Memphis. The staff, family, friends and others joined in to have the graduation ceremony in the hospital chapel, where Stephanie had been rolled in with her bed. Creating the perfect grandeur as any other graduation ceremony, the students walked in with the graduation march, with Dalton at the end. After each student greeted the mom, Dalton, in his gown and cap, hugged his mum too.
“My baby’s graduating,” she remarked, with tears in her eyes, thankful that what once seemed impossible was blossoming into a core realistic memory. Standing on the podium, with his principal, surrounded by loved ones, especially his mum, Dalton received his degree. With the flood of emotions and her health, the mom could barely speak but she gave it her all to sit up on her bed and sing and celebrate with her son and the others. The mom even stood up for a bit, with the help of her son and danced together to Rascal Flatts’ “I Won’t Let Go.” “She is so strong-willed. It’s just amazing how strong she is,” Julie remarked. The doctors pointed out that the mom didn't have many days to live after the graduation but she was at peace, knowing her dream wholesomely came true.