Hilary Swank pays tribute to her late dad, Stephen Michael Swank, on the second anniversary of his death.
On Sunday, the two-time Oscar winner shared a selfie of herself and her father, taken in a car, with the caption: “It’s been two years since you passed away.”
“You brought so much joy to all who were blessed to know you,” wrote Swank, 49. “Your memory still does. 🥰 I love you forever. 💞🤍🙌🏽.”
Among the many comments of celebrity support was Mariska Hargitay, who told Swank that her relationship with her father “has been inspiring” and added: “I love you.”
“❤️🙏🏻,” Katie Couric commented, while Kevin Nealon said, “God bless your dad, Hil. I remember meeting him and how sweet he was. He loved you to the core.❤️🙏🏼.”
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Hilary Swank on pausing career to care for dad after lung transplant: ‘It takes a lot of energy’
In an emotional post she shared on her Instagram page on New Year’s Eve 2021, Swank revealed that her father had died that October.
The A million dollar baby the actress said she “had a pretty unique relationship” with her father and became “his sole carer” after he underwent a lung transplant seven years ago.
“During that time I became incredibly close to him, deepening our relationship and enjoying every moment we spent together,” she wrote at the time. “He will always be one of my favorite people and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him.”
Swank continued, noting that the “physical loss” of her father awakened her “to the true meaning of living again.”
“He helped me better understand the circle of life and where we come from and where we return to, which connected me to my true self,” added the actress. “It’s helped me to forgive, to let go of the things that hold me back, in whatever form that comes up every day. As well as being deeply connected to Ultimate Source and therefore, my dad, always.”
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She concluded: “I hope this last year, regardless of the trials and tribulations you’ve had on your life’s journey, will bring you closer to your true essence and help you enter this New Year with the blessings you need most. We are all in this together.”
Caring for her father after a lung transplant was no easy task. In August 2020, Swank said Health magazine that she became Stephen’s “health advocate” after leaving Hollywood in 2014 to help him heal.
Originally, the actress had planned to take a year off from her film career, but she said her break lasted longer than expected.
“A lung transplant is the most difficult of all, because it’s an incredibly delicate organ,” Swank said at the time. “One year quickly turned into two, then three. And, thank God, the prayers were answered. He’s healthy and well five-plus years later.”
“It takes a lot of energy, love, and educating yourself about what it’s all about. The ups and downs are so challenging and can be overwhelming,” she added, before offering advice for others who choose to be a loved one’s health advocate: ” Make sure you take time for yourself and express your needs to the people around you so they can help you.”
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Source: HIS Education