New dad's moving performance of ‘Blackbird’ to dying baby boy goes viral

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Warning: Grab the tissues before you press play.

On Saturday, Chris Picco’s 30-year-old wife, Ashley, unexpectedly passed away in her sleep. She was 24 weeks pregnant.

Doctors performed an emergency caesarean section in an attempt to save Picco’s son’s life.

Lennon James Picco weighed just 2 pounds and was “fighting for his life, moment by moment” in the neonatal intensive care unit of Loma Linda University Hospital in California.

Chris brought his guitar to the NICU this week to perform for his son. A video of his moving version of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” is going viral.

“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,” a family friend posted on YouTube.

Lennon died in his father’s arms on Tuesday.

An online memorial for mother and son posted the following:

“Ashley’s light shone far, her song was heard, and her sweet personality and gentle giving soul inspired us, and will continue to do so. Your life mattered, Ashley. And much-loved baby boy Lennon James, we will see you again. You belonged to all of us.”

Read their obituaries here.

“He was surrounded by family, friends, and the best doctors, nurses and hospital staff in the world,” Chris wrote on Facebook. “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 honoured 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.”

At a YouCaring page established to raise funds to cover Ashley and Lennon’s medical expenses, friends, family and strangers have already donated over $108,000.

Ashley’s exact cause of death is not yet known, but Chris wrote that she “passed peacefully.”

"I can’t begin to express the gratitude that I have for each and every one of you for your thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences," he added.