For many mothers, seeing their children graduate from high school is an important milestone. All the work they have put into raising a child into an adult culminates as they watch them walk across the stage and receive a diploma. A mother in Oklahoma wanted to see her youngest son graduate so much that she made it her dying wish.
Caleb Woodrum was approaching the end of his senior year when his mother became gravely ill. Stacie Scyrkels had congestive heart failure, and although she hoped she would make it to her youngest son's high school graduation, as the days went by the family knew that would be impossible. Together with Blanchard High School Principal Greg Jackson, Woodrum devised a way for his mom to attend his graduation, and there wasn't a dry eye to be seen.
More From CafeMom: I Was Depressed After Getting Pregnant as a Teenager — but Slowly I'm Finding My Way
Scyrkels has been ill for the past 10 years.
Woodrum told Good Morning America that his mom had an atrial septal defect that caused congestive heart failure. For six years, the 18-year-old young man cared for his mom and even got her back and forth to doctor's appointments. As her health worsened late last month, staff at Integris Health Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City wanted to help.
He told the morning program he didn't realize how bad things had gotten with his mom until March 27.
"She didn't really tell anyone. She just wanted us to be strong," Woodrum said.
"The hospital actually contacted me and they said, 'Listen, things are getting bad and the only thing that she wants is to see her youngest son graduate.' So I told them, I said, 'What do I need to do? Let's get this going,'" Woodrum's sister-in-law, Cara Harris, told KFOR.
The hospital team and family put together a celebration.
Christina Hopkins, a registered nurse at the hospital, and Kati Crouch, a respiratory therapist, were both part of Scyrkels care team, and they were the ones behind the surprise celebration. They told Harris of their plans, and she immediately asked for help, Good Morning America reported.
"I said, 'OK,' and I absolutely ran with it immediately," the nurse continued. "I put out a Facebook post and said 'Hey friends and family if you have any graduation decorations or supplies that you would like to donate, urgent request, I need them as soon as possible.'"
In just 24 hours, Woodrum was a high school graduate.
One day later, Woodrum had a cap and gown, ready to graduate. Hospital staff contacted Blanchard High School, and its principal immediately jumped on the plan.
"We said, 'Sure.' We didn't know whether she wanted us next week, week after and I think that's when it hit home is when the nurse said, 'Well, no, we need to do this tomorrow,'" Jackson told Good Morning America. "So we did [the] same thing anyone else would do. We grabbed a cap and gown and a diploma and we got it set up and went to Integris Southwest on Tuesday at noon and granted her wish."
The ceremony was emotional for everyone in attendance.
Video of the ceremony shows family, friends, and hospital staff cheering on a smiling Woodrum. He is clad in a maroon cap and gown, tenderly holding his mother's hand as Jackson presents him with his diploma.
Tears abound, and the teen embraces his mom after fulfilling her final wish. It is emotional to watch, and the feeling of love between the mother and son is palpable.
Scyrkels died peacefully the next day on her 57th birthday. Her heart was full.
More From CafeMom: Man Refuses To Honor Brother's Dying Wish & Get a Tattoo Even Though His Whole Family Is Getting One
The family wants to help the young man continue the fun during his senior year.
Harris organized a GoFundMe page for Woodrum to help him with senior expenses, such as prom, and memorial expenses for his mom.
As Harris wrote on the fundraising page: "♥ we are needing help with memorial expenses and prom cost, Caleb and his nephew coda who is a junior at Blanchard, were going to attend prom and Stacie (mom and grandma) was going to be paying for tuxes and tickets, the entire family is struggling and dealing with this tragic event and anything is appreciated ♥ if u can't donate please send prayers and share please ♥"
The page has raised more than $6,000 so far.
"It was probably one of the greatest moments I've actually ever had. Like, she did want to see me graduate. She did want to see me go to college," Woodrum told KFOR. "Unfortunately, she won't have the chance to do that. But she got to see me graduate high school, which I know is one of the biggest accomplishments for me and her."
He will walk in the formal graduation ceremony with his class on May 15.
