Terminally ill dad 'didn't want to die alone' in hospital, so mom assured him in a heartwarming way on his final night

No words can ever describe how a person feels after losing a parent or both. It becomes an emotional turmoil for children watching their aged parents confined to the hospital beds. A man on Reddit who goes by u/AlexJRod shared a poignant picture of his parents in a similar situation. "We sat with my dad for 3 days as he didn't want to die alone. This is my mom getting ready to sleep by him for their final night," the caption alongside the picture read. The man's dad, who was battling cancer, had a few days left.

The picture showed the dad lying on the hospital bed with vital signs monitors and tubes connected to his body. On his left was his wife, sitting on a reclining chair and gripping her husband's hand tightly. The woman was looking over at her husband of more than 35 years and she was possibly preparing herself mentally to let him go forever. Rest assured, the man's father had his loved ones surrounding him in his final moments. "That look was her saying goodbye. It was a weird battle and they couldn't figure out what was going on. At the point of the photo, he had said, 'I'm going to die' and that's why we all were in his room for 3 days. She woke up next to him for 35+ years," the man wrote about his mother and her expression in the picture.

The man replied to many comments from fellow Reddit users, in one of which he mentioned that he and his family were glad to get the opportunity to say goodbye to the dad. People got overwhelmed praying for the man and his family. u/AeroplaneJelly4Me commented, "So sorry for your loss mate. What a reflection of the bond your family has. You helped your dad move on without ever facing his biggest fear of being alone. I’d be bloody proud of you if I was your dad." The man responded to this comment and wrote, "That's well put. Some of our family is divided on some political things and my dad told us to not let that continue because the family needs to stand together. Thank you for your kindness."

u/UnpoeticAccount recalled, "I had the privilege of sitting with my grandfather when he died. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but also incredibly moving. And amazing because it’s not an on-off switch, there are stages to the body slowing down and stopping. It is right to be there in a deeply natural and loving way, despite being profoundly sad." u/heanthebean remarked, "Gosh, I cannot imagine what that feels like to look over and have a hunch that it’s the last night you’ll spend at your spouse’s side. I’m only a few years into marriage but have thought about it before. It must feel just so surreal." Another user added, "There is so much in that image. I'm glad your old man passed in such a manner. I can only hope we all get the same privilege when the time comes."