Viral Clip: 7-Year-Old’s Tender Final Cuddle With 96-Year-Old Great-Grandfather Before He Chooses Medical Aid In Dying

A brief, quiet moment between a 7-year-old girl and her 96-year-old great-grandfather has struck a chord after a video shared by granddaughter Karly Vavra went viral on TikTok. In the clip, the child curls up beside the older man and slips her arm around his as they watch TV together. Text over the footage explains that he was scheduled to receive medical aid in dying (MAID) soon, and that this would be the child's last visit.

“The feeling is very bittersweet,” Karly told PEOPLE, adding that she looks back on the moment with “smiles and tears.” She said she tried to prepare her daughter gently but acknowledged that a child cannot fully comprehend finality. By contrast, Karly believes her grandfather understood the significance of that quiet embrace.

“Him looking down in that short moment, I believe, was his way of trying to hide emotions as he was a very proud man,” Karly said.

The visit occurred just days before the man was scheduled to undergo MAID. Karly says she explained the situation in simple, compassionate terms: that her beloved “Big Papa” was in a lot of pain, and that doctors and nurses would give him medicine so he could fall into “the best sleep ever but forever” and would no longer suffer.

On the drive to see him—Karly says her family lives a few hours away—she reminded her daughter that this would be their last time together and encouraged her to show lots of love. The child’s response was instinctive: she took off her shoes, slipped next to him and linked arms without prompting, a gesture that moved Karly deeply.

Karly described her grandfather as a playful, warm presence who loved children, gardening, golf and music. She recalled neighborhood kids visiting his house so he could dance with them in the garage, teach them to garden and play games with them. In the weeks before his MAID procedure he received messages and calls from many people, including coworkers from more than 30 years earlier, who reached out to reminisce.

Karly shared the video publicly to honor his life and to show the compassion behind their family’s choice. The post drew a wide range of responses—many messages of support and appreciation, as well as criticism, often from people or groups opposed to MAID on religious or moral grounds.

One comment—“tell him we love him”—touched the family deeply; because Karly posted the clip before the procedure, she was able to show the message to her grandfather, who was moved by it. Other viewers shared personal regrets about seeing loved ones suffer and wished they had had access to similar options.

Karly said the mixed reaction strengthened her resolve to advocate for MAID as an option that can provide dignity and relief from suffering. She has previous professional experience with MAID in British Columbia, which shaped her understanding of the process and informed how she guided her family through the goodbye.

“This year has been unimaginably difficult for our family,” she said, noting that both of her parents’ parents chose MAID within the same year. Still, she added, the experience has brought the family closer as they cherish the time they had together.

As the clip continues to circulate, Karly offered advice to others facing similar farewells: ask about favorite memories, share stories, laugh and cry together, and make sure the person knows how deeply they are loved.

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