This week, CNN published the heartbreaking story of Julianna Snow, a 4 year-old diagnosed with a severe case of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a condition that causes nerve damage. While other children her age run around, play and eat on their own, Julianna can’t do any of those things without the help of her parents, flight surgeon Capt. Michelle Moon and A-10 pilot Capt. Steve Snow.

Julianna inherited CMT from her father, who suffers from a case of CMT so mild that it went unnoticed by doctors throughout his military service. Because his pilot career took him out of the country for months at a time, Steve left the Air Force in 2013 so he could stay at home with Julianna and his son, Alex.

After Julianna endured several years of difficult treatment, it became clear that Julianna’s condition wasn’t getting better. Even getting a light cold could be fatal for the little girl. Her mother Michelle asked her daughter whether she would prefer to go to hospital the next time she gets sick or stay home and go to heaven.

Julianna chose heaven.

In an emotional blog post, Michelle provides the transcript of her conversation with her daughter.

Me: Julianna, if you get sick again, do you want to go to the hospital again or stay home?

J: not the hospital

M: Even if that means that you will go to heaven if you stay home?

J: Yes

M: And you know that mommy and daddy won’t come with you right away? You’ll go by yourself first.

J: Don’t worry. God will take care of me.

Since Julianna made her decision in July, her parents have spent every moment they can making their daughter’s final months comfortable. Our hearts go out to the entire family.