This is how you love your people loudly.
This is one of the most tender yet gut-wrenching videos that I have seen on the internet in a long while. Videos like this also give me faith that there is still so much good in the chaos of the world we live in today.
Whenever you face difficult times, you lean on your community. Whether it’s friends, family, or your neighbors, the people who show up for you in these times mean the world. And people who show up for you, especially when you are grieving a death, mean even more to you. One Michigan lake community has gone viral after doing just this for one of their neighbors, and the moment has left the internet in a puddle of tears.
A TikTok creator, @jessica.m.berrier, shared a heartbreaking video sharing with her followers that her father was passing away. Their family, who live on a lake, was shocked to see that, in the midst of their mourning and final goodbyes, all their neighbors got on their boats and pulled up as close to their house as possible to give her father a final farewell from the community.
A handful of boats gathered near the lake’s bank, and you could hear those on the boats yelling how much they loved the family. From behind the camera, you could hear sniffles and tearful returns, saying how much they loved these folks on the boats as well.
“POV: Your Dad is passing away in the living room, and the lake community surprises the family with a final cheers. A rainbow appeared as if the Heavens were telling us that everything was going to be okay.”
The boats all honked their horns in honor of this family’s father and went on their way. However, one boat stayed behind and played this man’s favorite song, “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. The music loudly plays over their speakers as the boat circles near the house, before leaving once the song ends.
“The send-off was perfect and everything that Dad would’ve wanted. We love you, Dad.”
The creator added in the caption of her video:
“Blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support.”
If you’re not crying at this point… are you okay? Because I have tears streaming down my face as I write this. This is how you show up and support those you love.
@jessica.m.berrierBlessed to be surrounded by so much love and support 💛
The video has gained over 7 million views in 24 hours since posting. There is one helluva community, and this creator’s father must have been an outstanding man. Rest in peace.
Check out some of my favorite comments before you go.
“People in the boat crying, people in the house crying, people in the comments crying, me on my patio crying. Your dad must have been pretty awesome. Sending so much love to you and your family.”
“I love when people love out loud in the face of death.”
“We stayed till the end with you, too.”
“Sobbing at 6 am for strangers is not how I expected to start my day.”
“The last boat, not wanting to leave, took me out…sorry for your loss.”
“The rainbow, the sunset, the send-off from Phil…it’s like the ending to an epic movie.”
“As a hospice nurse, this gives me goose bumps. It’s a beautiful send-off.”
“We’re all crying with you right now – what a beautiful tribute.”
