Dying father's touching gift of love brings daughter to tears

Dan was no ordinary father. He loved his daughters with everything he had. His entire family felt his love throughout their lives and, thanks to his incredible unselfishness, even long after he was gone. And that love went both ways. He was cherished by those around him just as much. A giving man, he went out of his way to make sure his appreciation for his family was clear.

Dan had a talent for making quilts and he stitched and sewed gifts for his friends and family. He enjoyed making them a gift with his own hands, knowing that what he made would last for years, as would the sentiment behind it. He was very good at his craft and his quilts were beautiful and treasured by those who were lucky enough to receive one.

Tragically, in 2012 Dan passed away due to liver cancer. He knew ahead of time that he was dying. He also knew that his daughter, Jamie was pursuing a career in nursing and that he would not be alive to see her graduate in the coming years. Dan believed in Jamie and he had complete faith that she would accomplish her goal and go on to great things. He also knew that on her graduation day, she would be missing him and wishing he could be there to share the joy. Fiercely proud of Jamie, Dan came up with a beautiful way to express his pride and to be a part of her very special day.

Dan secretly made a very elaborate quilt for Jamie and he packaged it up by wrapping it in a way that was recognizably his. He wrote Jamie a beautiful card, making sure she understood how he felt about her and her accomplishment. He wrote that he was proud of her and jokingly commented that it had taken her long enough to graduate. Even in a very sad time, his sense of humor shone through. Dan hid the present and swore the whole family to secrecy. The family kept that secret after he passed away. Jamie never heard a whisper of the box that sat with her name on it.

Today, Jamie is celebrating her graduation with the rest of her family. Dan has been gone for three full years and he is sorely missed now more than ever. To Jamie's surprise, her family has now brought out the large box that was clearly wrapped by Dan. Jamie knew instantly that her father had done something special for her. She is overwhelmed with emotion as she slowly unwraps the gift. She can barely speak as she makes her way through the tape and pulls out a folded quilt that has waited for her all this time. The entire family is speechless as she unfolds the quilt and looks for Dan's signature on it. He always signed one corner of his creations.

Jamie can't believe what she's seeing and it slowly becomes clear that Dan has labored for many hours on this quilt, even as he knew that he was dying. Looking ahead, he knew this would ensure that she would feel his love long after he was gone. Jamie found the signature and heard the explanation from her mother, making it clear that this gift was everything she was hoping it was.

Touched by this beautiful act, she breaks down in tears and her mother moves in to give her a hug.

Jamie's bond with her Dad is obvious from her reaction. And the rest of the family completely understand how much this moment means as they watch intently.

With Dan knowing that his time was very limited, he chose to spend a great deal of it leaving behind one last gift that says so much more than words ever could. Jamie's quilt, and her father's love, will be keeping her warm for many years to come.