Grieving mom’s tearful post captures 5-year-old daughter’s last days of terminal illness: "Fly high..."

We cannot control death. All we have in control is how we live our lives. Therefore, when Delaney Krings, a young girl with terminal cancer, turned 5 on December 16, people from all over the world sent cards, and thousands attended a hometown parade honoring her. Delaney from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in October, and her parents were told she had six to eight weeks to live, reported TODAY. Krings passed away within months of being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in October. The girl's mother, Heather Krings broke the tragic news on the family's fundraiser page on Saturday. "Our Sweet Angel Baby has gained her wings," Krings captioned a photo of her daughter. "Delaney Judith Krings. 12.16.2017 — 1.28.2023. Fly high, my sweet baby."

It has been an emotional time for their family, especially when you consider one of Delaney's mom's final posts on her daughter on the family's CaringBridge page. "Typically, I would apologize for the duration of time between my updates. However, from here on, I will not. I will not apologize for spending every minute focusing on providing as normal daily life as I can for B and C," Krings wrote, referring to her older daughter Brooklyn, 12, and son Carson, 11.

She continued, "I will not apologize for every minute spent attending to Laney’s needs. I will not apologize for every minute spent talking to, holding, snuggling, and gazing at this precious girl. Your texts, calls, emails, FB posts/comments/messages may go without reply, but it’s not because I don’t love and appreciate your concern. It’s because I simply can’t."

While her mother tried to contain her emotions, she noted, "There are increasingly more moments of unstoppable tears, rage at the universe, and simply empty helplessness." The family is trying their best to keep Delaney comfortable and pain-free, including medications, 24-hour monitoring, and "ensuring she is warm and swaddled in clean butt wrappings and the softest blankies and pillows possible."

"It's amazing, and there are so many great people out there doing so much for us. You're really happy to see it, but you wish it wasn't your kid," said Delany's father, Jacob Krings, as per ABC 7.

Heather Krings also wrote, "Anytime she is awake, which is getting more limited and farther between, we make sure she sees our faces and hears us softly telling her how much she is cherished. We still get the occasional point, wave, or snap to let us know her preferences. Very seldom do we hear a squeaky version of her little muppet voice."

She continued, "It’s been about a week, but this afternoon I heard 'Momma, hug.' Immediately I laid my head on her chest and she hugged it, with a few little pats. When I lifted my head I was graced with both of her gorgeous hazel eyes open. It was all I could do to smile and tell her how much I love her, then a quick smooch before I had to walk away so she didn’t see my ugly crying."

Her mother is devastated at her prognosis, as she wrote "She doesn’t deserve this lot in life. She has been the easiest baby, the sweetest toddler, the most loving and energetic, curious little girl." She added, "She has brought so much love and happiness into this world and has made such a positive impact on so many. To see her slowly slip away from us in a body that is defying the light of her soul is devastating. The only solace we can hold close to is that we are doing everything we can to keep her as pain-free as possible, surrounded with warmth and love to spite the evil taking her from us."

Delaney's cancer, Diffuse Midline Glioma, has "very little positive response to any current treatment available," according to Krings’ update. She concluded with a touching message, "While I wish, from the depths of my shriveled little heart, we could have given her more, I hope what she has seen of this life has been good and happy. By the grace of God, I hope she knows how much she is loved. Now and forever," she wrote. "Hug your people, love your people. Tomorrow is never guaranteed."

Delaney Judith Krings passed away on January 28.