Son Catches His Parents' Final Moments Together In Touching Photo
May 24, 2016
Dying Husband Says A Final Goodbye
Jim Mininni fought a long and hard battle with lung cancer, with his loving wife, Cindy, beside him every step of the way. And as Jim went to the hospital for what everyone knew would be the very last time, he wanted nothing more than his wife by his side as he said his final goodbye. The trouble was, Cindy had suffered a heart attack and was on life support herself. But the couple's son moved heaven and earth to make sure his father's dying wish was granted. [rsnippet id="2" name="ArticleAd-300x250-3"] [caption id="attachment_27904" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: Chris Mininni[/caption] Prior to the heartbreaking photo of their final goodbye, Jim and Cindy had been deeply in love for 24 years. Jim cried tears of joy when Cindy announced she was pregnant, and they became a happy family of three after their son, Chris, was born. [caption id="attachment_27908" align="aligncenter" width="319"] Credit: Chris Mininni[/caption] But things got tough for the family when Jim was diagnosed with lung cancer. For years he bravely battled the terrible disease, and underwent round after round of chemotherapy. Cindy was always there to care for him and cheer him on. [caption id="attachment_27909" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Credit: Chris Mininni[/caption] Her strength and devotion was an inspiration to their son, Chris. But the day finally came when there was nothing left to do for Jim other than to try to make him as comfortable as possible until his time came. Jim headed into the hospital for what the doctors said would most likely be his final days. And like always, Cindy and Chris planned to be by his side. But the very next day, Cindy had a heart attack. She was rushed to a different hospital and put on life support, leaving 21-year-old Chris bouncing between two hospitals, trying to figure out what to do."It was frightening," he recalls. "I didn't know what to do. It was the worst thing ever."Jim's health was declining rapidly, and it was clear to everyone that he didn't have much time. So, Chris worked alongside Jim's doctors and got Cindy transferred to the same hospital, in the room next to Jim's. RELATED: Couple married 65 years hold hands and die together Chris says his dad started to freak out when they told him Cindy was in the hospital herself. And after they explained the full situation -- the fact that Jim was in his final hours -- the dying man desperately started trying to write something. Jim was unable to speak, and his poor health coupled with all of the medication made it extremely hard for him to write. With painstaking difficulty, he managed to scribble the first letter -- "M." Then came the next -- "O."
"We didn't know what was he trying to say," says Chris. "We thought he was trying to write mouth because it was very frustrating to him that he could't speak."But finally, the third letter made Jim's wishes clear. He'd written "mom," and everyone knew it was because he wished to say a final goodbye. Thought it was risky, the hospital obliged. They wheeled the dying man next door to the room where his wife lay unconscious, and Jim tenderly held Cindy's hand until breathing his last breath. [caption id="attachment_27914" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: Chris Mininni[/caption] Chris was there to witness the emotional scene, and he photographed his parents' final goodbye so that he could share it with his mom once she woke up.
"The one thing that incapsulates my dad in this lifetime is that he loved my mother with all of his being," he says. "That's why I love that photo so much – I feel like it shows it."[caption id="attachment_27915" align="aligncenter" width="527"] Credit: Chris Mininni[/caption] Cindy spent 11 days on life support, but is now making a full recovery. She has no firsthand recollection of the time she spent with Jim in the hospital, but thanks to Chris, she has the photo and story of their final goodbye to cherish forever. Chris also shared the incredibly moving photo on social media, and the beautiful love story has taken the Internet by storm.
"I want people to see how much love they had for each other," Chris says. "My parents got to be together until the end. We should all be so lucky."What a wonderful blessing, indeed. Love truly conquers all!
"But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Watch as this loving wife sings with her husband who is in the hospital!
h/t: Little ThingsToday's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.