Losing a child is every parent’s biggest nightmare. There are a lot of things in life that can cause heartbreak, but losing a son or daughter leaves an incomprehensible hole in one’s heart.
Tim and Mary Smith’s lives were devastated on January 5, 2014, when their 12-year-old daughter, Taylor, passed away following a battle with pneumonia.
Following the shock, Taylor’s parents began the difficult process of going through their daughter’s possessions.
In the usual assortment of clothes, trinkets, books, and cartons, they found something that would alleviate their pain.
When the parents opened one of the boxes, they reportedly found a note that their daughter had written to her older self. Despite being told not to open the letter until 2023, Taylor’s distressed parents did it for her because she would never be around to look it over.
Hearing Taylor’s voice again, although in paper, gave Tim and Mary solace. After grieving once more, they decided to share their daughter’s message online, and it has already been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.
Tim and Mary Smith found a message that read, “Taylor Smith will only open it on April 13, 2023! Unless specified differently. They decided to read the letter together prior to their beloved daughter’s 22nd birthday.
Taylor’s parents were quite intrigued when they opened the mail and cracked the seal. As Taylor’s parents read what their daughter had to say, hot tears fell down their cheeks. It was a poignant moment.
“Dear Taylor” is written on it.
How are things going in your life? Compared to ten years ago, life is quite easy now. I’m sorry for being late, but congratulations on graduating from high school! If you didn’t, go back and try again. Get your degree! Do you (or we) attend college? If not, I get it. Our reasoning is, after all, rather good.
Keep in mind that Allana is eleven years old today! Already eleven? In my time, she just turned one year old! However, I was unable to attend that party since I was in Cranks, Kentucky, on my first mission trip. I’ve only been back for six days!
By the way, how is your relationship with God? Have you recently prayed, worshipped, studied the Bible, or gone to serve the Lord? Otherwise, just get up and do it! No matter where we are in life right now, do it! He was mocked, beaten, tortured, and crucified for you! A sinless man who has never done you or anyone else any wrong!
Since then, have you gone on any other mission trips? Have you been overseas before? How about taking to the skies?
Is Doctor Who still airing? If they had any regeneration at all, what was it? Please go watch some Doctor Who! But later you’ll have to finish reading your own words of wisdom!
You still don’t have a place of your own? If we are enrolled in college, what major are we pursuing? Right now, I wish to practice law.
Have you been to Dollywood recently? Right now, their newest attraction is the Wild Eagle. It’s a lot of fun!
I also think I’m going to sell my iPad and buy an iPad mini instead. Don’t forget to explain to your kids that we are older than the tablet! You can also show them the drawing of an iPad that I’ve included.
I think that’s it. But remember, I wrote this a decade ago. There have been both positive and negative events. You must come to terms with the fact that this is how life is. Regards Taylor Smith
As was already indicated, Taylor’s letter, which was read after the fact, received positive feedback from online users who sympathized with Tim and Mary.
I can only imagine the spectrum of emotions they must have experienced when they found this letter! How would you have reacted if you had been in their position?
