Norbert Schemm, an 87-year-old from Appleton, Wisconsin, left a lasting impression with a heartfelt moment captured in a hospital room.
Norbert faced stage four colon cancer. His final wish was to share one last beer with his sons.
This is the photo shared on Twitter by Norbert’s grandson Adam, and it quickly went viral.
Adam told the BBC: “My grandpa had been relatively healthy over the course of his life but it was on the Sunday last week while he was in hospital that they realized it would be the end. He called his grandchildren to tell us on the Monday.”
“We took the picture Tuesday night and then he died from stage four colon cancer on Wednesday. My dad told us that grandpa had wanted a beer and now when I look at that picture it gives me solace.”
“I can tell my grandpa is smiling. He’s doing what he wanted to do – it was an impromptu moment.”
The heartwarming photo was originally posted to a family WhatsApp group by Norbert’s son Tom.
It went viral after his grandson posted it on Twitter. It garnered over 320,000 likes and 30,000 retweets.
Many shared their similar stories of losing their loved ones.
“I don’t know you, but I felt this,” shared one user, recounting how his own grandfather had enjoyed a cigar and a beer before passing away.
Others recalled moments of joy and laughter shared with their loved ones in similar circumstances.
The overwhelming response has brought solace to Norbert’s family.
He shared: ‘It’s actually helped us with our grief. It’s comforting to see that my grandparents and their children were all together in his final moments.
“It seems to have tapped into a sense of community and clearly is a moment lots of people relate to.”
“The comments have been so kind and we’ve seen pictures of people toasting bottles of beer in his honor. I thought people I knew might want to see it and respond but had no idea just how many people it seems to have helped.”
Here are some of the best stories shared by the community:
Ben Riggs posted images of his grandfather enjoying a drink before his passing, saying,
“I don’t know you… but I felt this. Days before my grandpa passed he let my dad and I know he wanted a cigar and a beer. We made it happen. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandpa’s smile is one for the books!”
Another person recounted a poignant moment, “My mother got drunk with her care nurses the night before she died. Beautiful to think that her last full night alive, she laughed and drank with people she called friends. Cancer hospice nurses are all angels.”
Similarly, a woman shared, “My grandmother did the same thing with shots of Bailey’s cream liquor.”
Reflecting on his own experience, one man shared, “My father and I had a beer and watched a Yankees game together,” alongside an image from their hospital room.