Ever since Alfred Birch’s wife passed away over a decade ago, he’s lived with his daughter and granddaughter.
The incredibly close family, who hail from Manchester-by-the-Sea in Massachusetts, were devastated when their beloved Alfred was admitted to hospital with congestive heart failure earlier this month.
Fearful he might not make it to his 98th birthday on March 28, his family decided to post a snap of Alfred in his hospital bed holding a sign which read: “My daughter does not think I can get 98 likes for being 98 years old. Can we prove her wrong?”
Well, the internet took on the challenge with gusto and the uplifting image has well and truly superseded the family’s expectations.
At present, the photo has 27, 000 likes and has been shared over 30, 000 times.
“my grandfather (shown in photo) will be 98 on March 28th please share this post !” (Image/Julia Geswell Facebook)
“It just blew my mind. I told my grandfather and I told him he made it all around the world and he goes, ‘Are you kidding me!?’” Alfred’s granddaughter Julia Geswell explained to The Huffington Post.
“We kind of did it to give him something to look forward to, put a smile on his face and get him out of that dreary hospital feel.”
Julia describes her grandfather as her “world.” (Image/Julia Geswell Facebook)
And it looks like the exciting turn of events is just what the doctor ordered! Alfred has since left hospital and is back in the comfort of his own home.
“It’s really boosted his spirits. He’s getting a kick out of it,” Julia added.
Since the photo has gone viral, Alfred has left hospital and is looking forward to celebrating his 98th birthday at the end of this month. (Image/Julia Geswell Facebook)
