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Daughter Sneaks A Rum And Cola Into A Hospital Room For Her Father’s Final Drink
“I’ve had a life that’s full, everyone’s been good to me. So fire up that fiddle, boy, and give me one last drink. When the sun comes up, I will leave without a trace. But the world is mine today,” Enter The Haggis sung.
Prepare yourself, dear reader, as ’tis a story as wholesome and as heartbreaking as any. A story of both grief and celebration. Celebration of a life well-lived and a memory that will remain for years to come in the consciousness of millions.
One daughter fulfilled her father’s last wish for a rum & cola. Filming every last minute shared together, she posted the lovely moment on her TikTok account, and thousands came forth to send their love and wish the family all the best. Let’s dive into the details, and please, dear reader, for your own sake, grab some tissues.
More info: TikTok
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Penelope Ann faced a moment most children dread – the final goodbye with her dad. But she and her mom thought of something to help his send-off
Image credits: penface
The moment that most children dread had come for Penelope Ann. Her father had reached the end of his life. He’d been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes obstructions in airflow. His fight with a terminal illness had been long and intensive, but it was finally time for him to rest. It would be the last time they got to see each other.
Penelope and her mum made the trip to the hospital. Aiming to capture each lasting moment, she recorded a 15-minute video of their visit. One of those, she shared on her TikTok account. The 27-second clip revealed that she’d snuck in a can of Bundaberg rum & cola – his favorite drink – in the hopes of giving her father the best farewell.
Her father had been battling a terminal illness and it was time to rest. But not before he got a taste of his favorite drink of rum & cola
Image credits: penface
“I came prepared for the send-off,” she said in the footage. “Give him a little taste here,” her mom chimed in, telling her husband that they were about to give him his final drink. “We brought you rum, Dad,” she said while Penelope prepared the drink. “We’re going to put it in [a syringe] and put it in your mouth.”
Penelope leaned in and squeezed the small amount of rum & cola into his mouth. She asked her dad if it tasted nice, and he was seen nodding excitedly, which caused the two women to laugh. “Hell yeah!” Penelope said in the clip. He was gone shortly after.
“We’re going to put it in [a syringe] and put it in your mouth,” her mom said while Penelope prepared the beverage they’d snuck into the hospital room
Image credits: penface
The caption of the video said: “One last drink with Dad before his spirit returned to the universe. Until we cross paths again, old man. I love you.”
The video, at the point of writing, has been viewed 2.5M times, with thousands sending their best wishes and praise for the sweet gesture, warming hearts in both Australia and the rest of the world.
They asked him if it tasted nice. He nodded excitedly, causing the two women to laugh. He passed away soon after their visit
Image credits: penface
Penelope has been posting videos on her TikTok since her father’s passing, with the most recent one being a week after he’d left. “Dad gave us a beautiful sunrise,” she said, her mother close by her side. Her dogs had not left her alone since, and her father’s pup, Dinky, has been very confused as to “why dad hasn’t returned home this time, and I wish there was a way for me to explain to him what’s happened.”
“The hardest part was walking in [to my mum’s place] and seeing dad’s seat empty on the couch,” she continued. Penelope ended the video by showing the special bottle of rum her dad had been keeping for decades, but never got to drink. “He always said that he would on his deathbed,” she said.
The places he used to occupy have become lonely. Her father’s pup, Dinky, has been very confused as to “why dad hasn’t returned home this time”
Image credits: penface
The notion of taking one final drink has been a part of humanity for centuries. Alcohol is universally associated with celebration, and drinking is, in most cultures, an essential element of festivity. We toast to others, so why not toast to ourselves for a life well-lived? And to those who are no longer able to take the liquor themselves, the tradition of ‘pouring one out’ can come in handy.
The ceremony is more formally known as making a libation and was first noted in ancient Egypt. There, they often used water instead of alcohol, because water was considered a life-giving liquid.
The Papyrus of Ani, when translated, contains the following passage: “Pour libation for your father and mother who rest in the valley of the dead. Do not forget to do this even when you are away from home. For as you do for your parents, your children will do for you.”
Kate Wight believes that the whole point of the gesture is to include our loved ones in life’s moments, even after their death. A bit of alcohol, a few warm words, and a pour to the land beyond is all that is needed.
The moment was shared on TikTok: “One last drink with Dad before his spirit returned to the universe. Until we cross paths again, old man. I love you”
Image credits: penface
No one prepares you for losing a parent. Regardless of how much you try to imagine the moment, trying to go through each scenario and focus your mind, the heartbreak is unimaginable even to the most skilled in the art of visualization.
Grief hits like a bag of bricks being swung at you with full force, and whether you’ve got your hands up to soften the blow or not, it’ll hurt like hell.
Healthline notes that there is no one way to grieve. Everyone feels and deals with loss differently and it’s completely normal. Remembering that what you feel is valid and letting yourself fully experience the loss are key to beginning the healing process.
Some people work through grief in a short time and move forward with the remnants of their sadness safely tucked away. Others need more time and support, no matter how expected the death was.
We wish the family all the best and lots of strength during this incredibly difficult time
Image credits: penface
It might seem difficult, even inconsiderate, to dedicate time to self-care, but prioritizing your health becomes even more important as you recover from your loss. Life goes on. For more resources and information, you can click the link here.
We wish Penelope and her family strength during this incredibly difficult time and we commend them for doing something so thoughtful for their father and husband.
You can watch the full video here
@penface One last drink with dad before his spirit returned to the universe. Until we cross paths again old man. I love you. #grief#griefjourney#loss#goodbye♬ original sound – penface
Hopefully, it’ll inspire others to do the same because, really, who wouldn’t want one last drink before embarking on a journey to a land unknown.
Thousands of people have sent their love and support for the family, also sharing their own experiences
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What do you think ?
Katy McMouse 3 years ago
My mum stopped eating and drinking the last couple weeks of her life. One afternoon, I offered her a cup of tea and instead of turning it down, she accepted and insisted on drinking it at my kitchen table. It was so nice to do this again with her and for a brief moment, I thought maybe she was rallying. Unfortunately, she wasn't and that was the last time I had a cup of tea with her. For some reason, this is a tough memory for me and I still cry a bit when I think about it. It's been eleven years and I still try not to think back on that whole period of time in my life. I really wish it had been more like this post.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
(((hug))) that cup of tea must have meant so much to your mum. I'm so glad she had that memory to take with her.
Load More Replies...
ADHORTATOR 3 years ago
Was it necessary to make all these photos? Not everything must be told to the whole world...
AzKhaleesi 3 years ago
And yet you read it.... I'm not being a jerk I'm merely pointing out that you can't complain when you read the story. Plus every one grieves in their own way. If that brought peace to remember his final moments being happy who cares if they took a million photos. My dad died 4 months ago I took a million photos even though I hate seeing him like that. When he passed I cried over him and played with his beard and gave him a million kisses, my hubs got pics of me kissing my dad's corpse. Although that was the hardest moment of my life yet, I cherish that because somehow I know that even though it was just his shell I was loving on, I like to think that he watched me care for him and love him as he was traveling to his forever place.
Load More Replies... Kusotare 3 years ago
My dad's hospice nurse said to give him anything he wanted. Of course, my dad wanted ice cream, which was pretty easy to provide. Compare that to my dikhead uncle (who was an MD) who denied my aunt morphine in her last hours "because she might get addicted".
Kathi Schäffer 3 years ago
What an a-hole. You can't actually get addicted within a couple of hours and if it's the end of your life, why would it matter? I'm sorry about your aunt 💗 And I'm sure your Dad appreciated the ice cream, such a nice final gesture 🧡
Load More Replies...
ThisIsNotTheOneYou'reLookinFor 3 years ago
My 94 yr old mom was dying in her bed at our home. She had quit smoking over a year earlier (this is why she was dying). She told her adult grandson she had hidden a cigarette in a drawer and wanted one last puff. I came in to find them huddled around her. At first I about blew my top as smoking killed both my parents and near ruined my wife's and my financials. But quickly realized it was what she wanted. She inhaled half the cig in one breath and started coughing, dropping the cigarette. Chaos followed. She was coughing, the butt was burning a hole in the sheets and we were all going nuts. When it all got calmed down, we all laughed so hard, including her, between more coughs. She died about two hours later. Now I'm crying again. Miss you so much mom.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
When someone is in palliative care or almost terminal, nothing should have to be secreted in. If there's a chance the alcohol could interact with drugs and cause them to pass away 6 hours earlier, let them die with dignity in a way they feel fitting doing something they enjoy and doing it proudly. No one should die, or watch their love one die, trying to hide in needless shame.
Jods 3 years ago
Hope none of my regular nurses are reading this but I spend a couple of nights in hospital every six months (I didn’t mind Covid happening because the procedures were put on hold). I fill a large water bottle with white wine, or sometimes vodka and orange and sip it at night. It makes my stays a lot nicer!
Mad McQueen 3 years ago
You do what you have to do for family and friends near the end. It's one last thing to make them smile. To take that memory of people who care with them. And a moment that can't be taken away. Sometimes they don't have the ability to ask for something special. Sometimes it's just nail polish or a drink of something special. When my nana was going I would stop once a week to do her nails and chat. She wasn't "there" but knew since I was little and she taught me how to do her nails that it was me there doing something. Most of the time just a file and some lotion but she knew me for that and was happy.
Sherri Brewer 3 years ago
I snuck alcohol into the hospital for my grandfather too at the end.
Nadia Dodd 3 years ago
My grandad was receiving palliative care after going through organ failure. Complications of being on warfarin (a blood thinner) and pure stubbornness!!! He couldn't wait for a chiropodist and cut out his own corns. When we found he didn't have long left my mum (his daughter in law) asked the nurse if it was ok for him to have a little tipple of what he liked. The nurse agreed in a "he doesn't have long, so I don't see why not" kind of way. Mum gave him a little whiskey in his orange juice (not his usual way of having it), but when he drank it and realised what was in his OJ, he (without a word) smiled and gave my mum a wink!! Love that my parents could do this one thing, which put a smile and twinkle in his eye for a moment, for my grandad before he passed.
Katy McMouse 3 years ago
My mum stopped eating and drinking the last couple weeks of her life. One afternoon, I offered her a cup of tea and instead of turning it down, she accepted and insisted on drinking it at my kitchen table. It was so nice to do this again with her and for a brief moment, I thought maybe she was rallying. Unfortunately, she wasn't and that was the last time I had a cup of tea with her. For some reason, this is a tough memory for me and I still cry a bit when I think about it. It's been eleven years and I still try not to think back on that whole period of time in my life. I really wish it had been more like this post.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
(((hug))) that cup of tea must have meant so much to your mum. I'm so glad she had that memory to take with her.
Load More Replies... ADHORTATOR 3 years ago
Was it necessary to make all these photos? Not everything must be told to the whole world...
AzKhaleesi 3 years ago
And yet you read it.... I'm not being a jerk I'm merely pointing out that you can't complain when you read the story. Plus every one grieves in their own way. If that brought peace to remember his final moments being happy who cares if they took a million photos. My dad died 4 months ago I took a million photos even though I hate seeing him like that. When he passed I cried over him and played with his beard and gave him a million kisses, my hubs got pics of me kissing my dad's corpse. Although that was the hardest moment of my life yet, I cherish that because somehow I know that even though it was just his shell I was loving on, I like to think that he watched me care for him and love him as he was traveling to his forever place.
Load More Replies... Kusotare 3 years ago
My dad's hospice nurse said to give him anything he wanted. Of course, my dad wanted ice cream, which was pretty easy to provide. Compare that to my dikhead uncle (who was an MD) who denied my aunt morphine in her last hours "because she might get addicted".
Kathi Schäffer 3 years ago
What an a-hole. You can't actually get addicted within a couple of hours and if it's the end of your life, why would it matter? I'm sorry about your aunt 💗 And I'm sure your Dad appreciated the ice cream, such a nice final gesture 🧡
Load More Replies... ThisIsNotTheOneYou'reLookinFor 3 years ago
My 94 yr old mom was dying in her bed at our home. She had quit smoking over a year earlier (this is why she was dying). She told her adult grandson she had hidden a cigarette in a drawer and wanted one last puff. I came in to find them huddled around her. At first I about blew my top as smoking killed both my parents and near ruined my wife's and my financials. But quickly realized it was what she wanted. She inhaled half the cig in one breath and started coughing, dropping the cigarette. Chaos followed. She was coughing, the butt was burning a hole in the sheets and we were all going nuts. When it all got calmed down, we all laughed so hard, including her, between more coughs. She died about two hours later. Now I'm crying again. Miss you so much mom.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
When someone is in palliative care or almost terminal, nothing should have to be secreted in. If there's a chance the alcohol could interact with drugs and cause them to pass away 6 hours earlier, let them die with dignity in a way they feel fitting doing something they enjoy and doing it proudly. No one should die, or watch their love one die, trying to hide in needless shame.
Jods 3 years ago
Hope none of my regular nurses are reading this but I spend a couple of nights in hospital every six months (I didn’t mind Covid happening because the procedures were put on hold). I fill a large water bottle with white wine, or sometimes vodka and orange and sip it at night. It makes my stays a lot nicer!
Mad McQueen 3 years ago
You do what you have to do for family and friends near the end. It's one last thing to make them smile. To take that memory of people who care with them. And a moment that can't be taken away. Sometimes they don't have the ability to ask for something special. Sometimes it's just nail polish or a drink of something special. When my nana was going I would stop once a week to do her nails and chat. She wasn't "there" but knew since I was little and she taught me how to do her nails that it was me there doing something. Most of the time just a file and some lotion but she knew me for that and was happy.
Sherri Brewer 3 years ago
I snuck alcohol into the hospital for my grandfather too at the end.
Nadia Dodd 3 years ago
My grandad was receiving palliative care after going through organ failure. Complications of being on warfarin (a blood thinner) and pure stubbornness!!! He couldn't wait for a chiropodist and cut out his own corns. When we found he didn't have long left my mum (his daughter in law) asked the nurse if it was ok for him to have a little tipple of what he liked. The nurse agreed in a "he doesn't have long, so I don't see why not" kind of way. Mum gave him a little whiskey in his orange juice (not his usual way of having it), but when he drank it and realised what was in his OJ, he (without a word) smiled and gave my mum a wink!! Love that my parents could do this one thing, which put a smile and twinkle in his eye for a moment, for my grandad before he passed.
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