The result is a heartwarming photograph that has taken the Internet by storm.

People reports that Reddit user Ecost posted the photo of his grandmother, sitting in her wheelchair on Laguna Beach, with a joyful expression on her face. His aunt, also in the photo, is clearly sharing in the happy moment. The photo was captured as they took a detour on the way to checking the elderly woman into hospice.

Some viewers have questioned why the family chose to leave the urine-filled catheter bag in the photo. Ecost said that his grandmother spent every day in the wheelchair with the bag, and the fact that she could still be happy by such a simple thing as seeing the ocean is a “bittersweet reality” that he wanted to share with others.

The photo has quickly gone viral, with over 4 million views.

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez