After the birth of his first child, a Florida firefighter re-created a meaningful, multi-generational family photo with his baby girl and his dad to honor his late grandfather, who was featured in the original picture.
Firefighter and paramedic Michael Haworth, 24, was born and raised in Ocala, Florida. He married his wife, Jerrica, in October 2020 and the couple welcomed their first child, Monroe, in May 2022.
“She is the first grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides of the family,” Michael told The Epoch Times. “Needless to say, she was welcomed with many hugs, kisses, and gifts.”
A few days after Monroe’s birth, Michael had the idea to re-create a special photo that was taken at Munroe Regional Medical Center shortly after he himself was born.
In the photo, Michael’s father, an electrician also named Michael, sits beside his late grandfather Kenneth, a cabinet builder, who is holding newborn Michael in his arms.
“My dad was 30 years old, and I believe my grandfather was around 55,” Michael said. “I’ve held on to the original for a long time, especially after my grandfather passed away in 2016 from cancer. It is a very special photo to me.”
Re-creating the precious moment, 23 years later, with a new addition in their arms, everyone in the family was so happy and excited.
“The image is very sentimental and is a personal tribute to my grandfather,” Michael said.
The firefighter said: “I never knew how much it would blow up on social media with the millions of views it has received. The comments on the video are hilarious, as well; the majority are aimed toward my father and how he is an ‘ageless wonder’ and a ‘fox,’ to quote a few!”
Michael, his father, and his late grandfather had long shared a special bond. Kenneth would take Michael to their local race track, formerly known as the Ocala International Speedway, for Friday night races. Michael Sr. would take him hunting, a sport the pair enjoy to this day.
Now that Michael is a father himself, he is relishing the experience of watching his baby girl grow.
“My daughter is almost 4 months old and is such a bundle of joy,” he said. “She is always so happy and loves to chat, even though she isn’t saying anything distinguishable.”
Reflecting on the video montage of the re-creation of the multi-generational photo, Michael said: “The original purpose of the video was just to be creative and chase a past social media trend, but through it, I have gained such a desire to cherish the ‘now,’ as well as to never let go of the past with all the memories that it holds.
“It would be something special to re-create the photo again with future generations.”
