Tears as Woman Finds Grandpa's Baby Box After He Passes: 'Someone's Baby'

When Danae, known on TikTok by her handle @diz_beach_, posted a video about her late grandfather's decades-old "baby box", she sparked a wave of emotion and reflection online.

The box, which was filled with old photographs, personal possessions, and a teal-colored baby outfit complete with a hat and a vest, became a poignant symbol of familial love and legacy for the woman after her grandfather's passing.

The video, which has garnered over 3 million views since it was shared six days ago, has tugged at heartstrings online. A hum that is both emotionally moving and haunting echoed in the background of the clip, while the woman opened up the box that had been cherished for over eight decades.

"This sound is exactly how it felt when my grandfather passed, and I found out his baby outfit was being thrown away. Every maternal cell in my body is weeping," Danae said.

"He was once just a boy, someone's baby boy. I hope my kids' grandkids love them enough to want to keep their baby outfits safe for me, too."

"I had a very close relationship with my grandfather, who was called Robert Warner Johnson, as my dad wasn't around when I was growing up," the mother-of-two told Newsweek.

"My grandfather was an amazing human being, he passed away in January at the age of 90. In this video, I was showing his baby outfit that was also 90 years old that I keep in a box with some of his other belongings."

"My grandfather lived big and loved even bigger. He had lots of grandchildren, great grandkids and even one great, great grandchild. Two of his great grandsons were named after him," she added.

Danae, who would prefer to keep her full identity private, said that her own son, Caleb, took her grandfather's middle name.

The woman reflected on her lost loved one: "He made friends easily and was well-liked throughout the community. He retired from his company, Johnson Concrete & Petroleum Inc., and again later as a handyman. He was a local mentor to anyone interested in learning a skill.

"He had a thirst for knowledge in books, music, and he loved a good Western movie. He was an intelligent and outspoken man with a rough exterior and a giant golden heart. His legacy will live on through the buildings, structures, and families he helped create."

The video has sparked a flood of comments from thousands of viewers who shared their own experiences and emotions about family, memory, and loss.

"I always picture my little boy as a grandpa someday. That scene in [the movie] Interstellar where he sees his daughter as elderly KILLS ME," one user wrote.

Another added: "It's so unfair that we meet our grandparents for only a small brief portion of their lives."

"His mama probably picked it out so excited," a different user shared.

The phenomenon of discovering and sharing family heirlooms on social-media platforms like TikTok has touched many, providing a virtual space where personal histories are shared, cherished, and resonated with.

How Can You Help Someone Who Is Grieving?

Clinical pediatric psychologist George F. Blackwell told Newsweek some general advice about how people can better support and communicate with those who are experiencing feelings of grief.

"People who are grieving are longing for the person who passed away and may fear that others will forget them. Demonstrating that you remember them and are comfortable talking about them can create an opportunity for the grieving person to share some of what they are feeling," Blackwell said.

"Grief is not an Olympic sport; it is an individual experience. Individuals going through grief often experience a wide range of emotions. Each day can be profoundly different. It's important to note that, for those that are grieving, some days individuals may feel good, and on other days, they may feel emotionally or physically exhausted," Blackwell added.

He said that those checking in on grieving individuals should ask them how they are doing at that particular moment. The psychologist added that it is important to reflect on the present moment and focus on today.

"But, while it's important to check in on how grieving individuals are feeling, people shouldn't force them into a conversation," Blackwell said.

"Some days, individuals experiencing grief and other hardships may not want to share their feelings or might not have the energy to talk about it," he added. "You can't force someone to open up if they are not in an emotional place to discuss their feelings."

If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do? section.

Update, 5/7/2024, 2:07 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the original poster, Danae.