Neighborhood helps dying father watch daughter graduate

For the father of an NC State grad, watching her graduation march was a moment that helped give him the will to live.

His neighborhood worked hard to made sure the moment didn't pass him by.

A long wooden ramp leads to the front door of the Bridgman home in New Bern.

It's for the wheelchair.

Out back, a long-forgotten swing hangs. It was for the kids. For his daughter Clara.

She's all grown up now, but a daddy's girl always.

"He's my best friend. We spent all our time together," she said.

Her dad's seizures started when she was about 12.

And then the diagnosis: Brain cancer.

Randy Bridgman--the dad who had run 18 marathons, the dad with a mean tennis swing, the dad who pushed her on the swing--had brain cancer.

Now, it was daddy's girl who had to be strong.

"Well, this actually brought us a lot closer than probably we would have been if it didn't happen," she said.

When he was diagnosed, Clara stepped up to the plate to be there for her dad, according to Clara's mom Susan Bridgman.

"I've grown up with it," said Clara.

Her mom said, "She takes care of him, and they have a very special bond."

After chemotherapy, radiation and a risky 16-hour surgery last October, the doctors finally told the family the tumor was just too aggressive.

After ten years of fighting, the family decided to end the grueling treatments.

As long as he had fight left in him, Mister Bridgman would fight to see his Clara graduate from NC State.

"There have been days when we didn't know if he was gonna wake up or get through the day. And the motivating factor was May 9th," she said.

May 9th at PNC Arena--the day he could watch Clara graduate.

But he would not make it the arena. Nobody would.

We all know why: The virus.

"It could be one of the last major life events that she's with her father," said Clara's mom.

Her father made it to May 9th. He got to hear Pomp and Circumstance as his daughter walked in a Wolfpack red cap and gown, walking down the long wooden ramp behind her house.

Her father followed after, pushed in his wheelchair.

To keep the ceremony small, and ensure social distancing, the neighbors who organized it maintained privacy. They made attendees wear face coverings and sit 10 feet apart.

A small stage and lectern were set up, where the family's pastor spoke, and a singer performed the national anthem.

And a dad lived to see his daughter turn her tassel.

"I should have gone a while ago," said her dad."The only reason (I'm here) is to see her and be with my wife."

"I didn't have anyone else to graduate with, but I had him," said Clara.

"She's come up a beautiful person," said her dad.

At the house where he raised a family, Randy Bridgman watched his little girl walk across that stage, all grown up.

He's showed her how to love well, fight hard and finish strong.

And how to come home.