I took my 7-year-old son, who has Down syndrome and is battling leukemia, to see the ocean, because that was his greatest – and perhaps LAST – wish… But that evening, the hotel manager knocked on our door and said: “There is something about this trip that you do not know.”

I held one of his hands.

Mark is another one.

Liam looked at him.

« Well? »

« I am here. »

« You stayed. »

Mark burst into tears.

« Certainly, friend. I’m staying. »

Liam smiled.

« Okay. »

These were some of his last words.

Mark could never get those four lost years back.

But he got one last chance to be Liam’s father.

And this time he stayed until the very last moment.