Less than a year after sharing his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis, Eric Dane passed away at age 53. ALS is a brutal disease with no cure and often a short life expectancy. Those with ALS sometimes lose their ability to speak, a side effect Eric clearly understood. Eric shared two teenage daughters with Rebecca Gayheart, Billie and Georgia. Prior to his death, the doting dad recorded a beautiful message for his girls for the Netflix series Famous Last Words. “Billie and Georgia, these words are for you,” Eric said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) Eric Dane Let His Girls Know Just How Much He Loved Him If you haven’t already, be sure to grab a tissue. Eric Dane’s message to his daughters included lessons he hoped they’d remember after his death. “I hope you won’t just listen to me, I hope you’ll hear me,” Eric said. “First, live now, right now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that.” Eric wanted her girls to know that life is short, and it doesn’t do any good to constantly think about what they could have done differently. Instead, he wants them to enjoy every moment they have. “I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. ‘I should have done this. I never should’ve done that.’ No more.” The father felt humbled by his ALS diagnosis and how quickly everything changed. “I can’t even do the little things I used to anymore. I can’t drive around town, go to the gym, get coffee, and hang out,” he said. “I’ve learned to embrace alternatives. My friends come to me.” To that end, he advised his daughters to choose good friends and to be a good friend to others. “Love your friends with everything you have. Hang on to them. They will entertain you, guide you, support you, and some will save you,” he added. In one final beautiful sentence, Eric Dane let his daughters know that the end of his life is just a part of his story. “This disease is slowly taking my body, but it will never take my spirit,” Eric said. This story’s featured image is by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO