7-Year-Old Girl Shares Final Cuddle with Great-Grandfather Before He Goes Through with Medical Aid in Dying 

The final visit between a young girl and her great-grandfather lasted only a few minutes on camera, but its emotional impact has reached millions online.

In a now-viral TikTok video, a 7-year-old gently curls up beside her 96-year-old great-grandfather, wrapping her arm around him as they watch TV. The text overlay reads, “He’s doing MAID soon. I tried explaining gently to my daughter that this was the last visit she’d have with him. This is what she did the second she walked in.”

For her mother, Karly Vavra, the moment is forever bittersweet. “I look back with smiles and tears,” she says.

Karly explains that she tried to prepare her daughter in a way a child could understand. “Even though I gently explained what was happening, I know my daughter didn’t fully understand these were her last moments with him.”

But her grandfather understood. “My grandpa knew those were his last moments with her,” she recalls. She believes she saw that realization flicker across his face. “Him looking down in that short moment, I believe, was his way of trying to hide emotions as he was a very proud man.”

The visit took place just days before he was scheduled to receive medical assistance in dying (MAID). When speaking to her children, Karly chose honesty. “I explained that Big Papa was in a lot of pain and that he would be going to meet Big Grandma on Saturday,” she says.

She used simple, compassionate language to help them grasp what would happen. “I explained that a very nice doctor and nurses were coming to give him some medicine, and he would fall into the best sleep ever — forever — and that he wouldn’t be in pain anymore.”

On the drive to his home, Karly reminded her daughter how important this visit would be. “I explained that this would be her last visit with him, so to make sure to give him lots of love.”

Once they arrived, the child acted instinctively. “She had just walked through the door, took her shoes off and cuddled right up next to him,” Karly says. “I didn’t think she would catch on to the extent of what was happening.”

Watching her daughter and grandfather link arms was both beautiful and heartbreaking. “Both loving each other so much. I wish we could have had him forever,” she says.

Still, she’s grateful for the time her children had with him. “Not many children get much time with a great-grandparent.”

Karly describes her grandfather as “the sweetest man” who loved children, gardening, golf, music, and had a strong personality. Neighborhood kids adored him. “He would dance with them in the garage, show them how to garden, teach them to golf or even play Barbies with them.”

His kindness extended to strangers. “He had to stop and say hi to every baby in the grocery store. He brought dog treats on his daily walks to give out.” At home, he was playful and goofy. “He and my kids were always laughing with each other, and he loved how loud and proud my daughter was.”

She hopes her daughter carries his strength and optimism with her. “I hope she always laughs and sees the brighter side.”

Karly decided to share the final moment publicly because she believes in what MAID represents. “I truly believe MAID can be a wonderful thing — letting people go the way they want, with dignity, and not suffering.”

The overwhelming attention surprised her. “I had no idea it would blow up the way it is,” she says. Comments have ranged from supportive to critical. “A lot of religions don’t believe in MAID, and some comments were more aggressive than others. But I also had a flood of support from people with no relation to it at all.”

One message touched her deeply: someone wrote, “tell him we love him.” Because she posted the video before his scheduled MAID, she was able to show him. “He was very moved.”

Others shared painful regrets about loved ones who suffered without options. “Seeing how negative some of the responses were made me really want to advocate for the MAID program,” she says.

Her connection to MAID began years earlier when she volunteered on a case in British Columbia after many coworkers opted out. “I believe in ‘your body, your choice,’ which is why I volunteered.” That experience made it easier to understand the process later — though never easy emotionally. “The goodbye was of course still hard.”

Her family has faced immense loss this year. “Both my grandparents chose MAID this year. It’s been a rough year, but we’re sticking together and trying to cherish all our moments.” The grief, she says, has drawn them closer.

As her video continues to circulate, she offers advice for anyone preparing for a final goodbye: “Ask them about their favorite childhood memories or funny stories. Tell them your favorite memories with them. Have some laughs, some cries. Make them feel how much you truly love them one last time.”

In his final weeks, her grandfather was surrounded by love. “So many people reached out to him — even coworkers from 30+ years ago. He was very moved.”

He died knowing he mattered. “He left us truly feeling very loved. I hope all loved ones suffering can go peacefully and feel loved, like he did.”