Heartbreaking: Dad Sings 'Blackbird' to Dying Newborn After Mom's Death

By Renee Schiavone:

It’s far too often that we hear of tragedies that claim the lives of those not yet ready to leave this world. Such is the case of Ashely Picco— who lived in Loma Linda with her husband Chris until her sudden passing recently.

Ashley and Chris were expecting a baby boy in February. Instead, everything changed this week.

Ashley died Saturday in her sleep following an emergency cesarian section at Loma Linda University Medical Center when the baby boy— who was later named Lennon— was just 24 weeks old. She was 30.

“I have a lifetime to grieve this unspeakable loss, but I know that right now she would want me to focus completely on baby Lennon James Picco, who survived by an emergency C-section,” James Picco wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

In the following days, the video below was recorded of the new dad singing to his baby boy.

“During the pregnancy, Ashley would often feel Lennon moving to music so Chris asked if he could bring his guitar into the NICU and play for Lennon, which he did for several hours during the last days of Lennon’s precious life,” the YouTube video description says.

On Wednesday, Chris Picco announced that baby Lennon had also passed:

Dear friends, family, and supporters; it is with an unbelievably heavy heart that I write this.

My little fighter, Lennon James Picco went to sleep in his daddy’s arms late last night.

He was surrounded by family, friends, and the best doctors, nurses and hospital staff in the world. He was dressed in an outfit that Ashley bought for him, with little guitars on it, and wrapped in a blanket made by a dear friend.

I am so thankful for the four unforgettable days I got to spend with him.

His mommy would have been so beyond joy to see him and to hold him, touch him, bathe him, sing to him - as I have had the privilege of doing.

I have been so blessed and honored to love him before he was formed, to cherish him while mommy carried him, meet him face to precious face, and hold his perfect little body while we said “goodbye for now”.

There are no words, but I wanted to keep you updated, as your love and support has meant more than anything in the world. All you need is love.

A YouCaring fundraising page was set up on Sunday to help Chris with the hospital and funeral expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, more than $76,000 had been donated.

Comments have poured in from strangers showing their support for the widower.

“Your song is the sound of pure, perfect love,” one such stranger writes. “Thank you for reminding me that grace can exist, even amid unimaginable heartbreak. May you find comfort and, when the time is right, peace.”

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Loma Linda University Church.

As the Picco family story spreads across the nation, Chris expressed his thanks on Thursday to all those who have shown him support thus far.

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PHOTO: Via Facebook: chris.picco