Losing a kid is the biggest α΄ Κα΄α΄α΄ for every parent. There are a thousand things in this world that can cause pain, but the ππππ₯π of a son or daughter creates an unrivaled black hole of grief.
Tim and Mary Smith’s lives were βΡΡΡΡΟΡΡβ when their 12-year-old daughter, Taylor, α΄ Ιͺα΄α΄ on January 5, 2014, from pneumonia.
When the shock subsided, Taylor’s parents began the terrible task of sorting through their daughter’s belongings. Among the typical collection of clothes, trinkets, books, and boxes, they found something that might go some way towards healing them in their agony…
According to accounts, the parents opened a single box and discovered a letter that their daughter had written to her older self. The letter was not to be opened until 2023, but Taylor’s bereaved parents did so for her.
Tim and Mary were consoledΒ to hear Taylor’s voice again, even if it was through written word. After shedding more tears, they decided to post their daughter’s message online, where hundreds of thousands of people have read it.
Tim and Mary Smith discovered a note that declared, βTo be opened by Taylor Smith on April 13, 2023 ONLY! Unless said otherwise.βΒ They agreed to open the letter before that date, when their adored daughter would have turned 22.
Taylor’s parents broke the seal to open the letter. It was an emotional occasion, and when Taylor’s parents read what their daughter had written, hot tears streamed down their cheeks.
βDear Taylor,β it reads.
βHowβs life? Life is pretty simple right now (10 years in your past). I know Iβm late for you, but as Iβm writing, this is early, so; congratulations on graduating high school! If you didnβt, go back and keep trying. Get that degree! Are you (we) in college? If not, I understand. We do have pretty good reasoning, after all.
Donβt forget, itβs Allanaβs 11th birthday today! Sheesh, 11 already? In my time, she just turned 1! I didnβt get to go to that party though, because I was in Cranks, Kentucky for my first mission trip. Iβve only been back for 6 days!
Speaking of, howβs your relationship with GOD? Have you prayed, worshipped, read the bible, or gone to serve the lord recently? If not, get up and do so NOW! I donβt care what point in our life weβre in right now, do it! He was mocked, beaten, tortured, and crucified for you! A sinless man, who never did you or any other person any wrong!
Now, have you gone on any more mission trips? Have you been out of the country yet? How about on a plane?
Is Doctor Who still on the air? If not, what regeneration did they end it with? You should go watch some Doctor Who! Later though, you gotta finish reading your own words of wisdom!
Do you have your own place yet? If weβre in college, what are we majoring in? Right now, I wanna be a lawyer.
Have you been to Dollywood recently? Right now, their newest attraction is the Wild Eagle. Itβs so fun!
Also I think Iβm going to sell my iPad and buy an iPad mini, Donβt forget to tell your kids that weβre older than the tablet! Attached I also have a drawing of an iPad, so you can show them.
Well, I think thatβs all. But remember, itβs been 10 years since I wrote this. Stuff has happened, good and bad. Thatβs just how life works, and you have to go with it.
Sincerely, Taylor Smithβ
As previously noted, Taylor’s post-mortem message was well welcomed online, with internet users consolingΒ their condolences and commiserations to Tim and Mary.
I can only image the mixed emotions they must have felt when they discovered this letter! How would you have handled their situation?
