For any parent, the greatest fear imaginable is losing a child. Life offers many heartaches, but none compare to the unimaginable pain of losing a son or daughter. It’s a grief that leaves a permanent void in the heart.
On January 5, 2014, Tim and Mary Smith’s world was shattered when their 12-year-old daughter, Taylor, died after battling pneumonia.
As the initial shock began to fade, Tim and Mary were left with the agonizing task of sorting through Taylor’s belongings.
Among the boxes filled with clothes, books, and keepsakes, they discovered something that brought a moment of peace amidst their sorrow.
Inside one of the boxes, they found a sealed letter that Taylor had written to her future self. Though the envelope was marked to be opened in 2023, her grieving parents chose to read it early—knowing she would never get the chance.
Seeing Taylor’s handwriting and reading her words allowed Tim and Mary to hear their daughter’s voice again, if only through ink and paper. After many tears, they chose to share the letter online, where it touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands.
The envelope read: “To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 13, 2023! Unless said otherwise.” As what would have been Taylor’s 22nd birthday approached, her parents sat down together and broke the seal.
Opening the letter was deeply emotional. With tears streaming down their faces, they read the heartfelt message their daughter had left behind. It began with:
“Dear Taylor,”
“How is life treating you? It should be a lot easier now than it was ten years ago. Sorry I’m late, but congrats on graduating high school! If you didn’t, go back and get your diploma—seriously! Are you in college now? If not, I understand. We usually have good reasons.”
She went on to mention her little friend Allana, who would be eleven now. “Already eleven? Back in my time, she had just turned one! I missed her birthday because I was on my first mission trip to Cranks, Kentucky. I had just returned six days ago!”
Then came one of the most powerful sections, where Taylor reflected on her faith:
“How’s your relationship with God? Have you been praying, worshipping, reading the Bible, or serving lately? If not—get to it! No matter where we are in life, remember: He was mocked, beaten, tortured, and crucified—for YOU. He never did a single thing wrong.”
She continued with curiosity about the future:
“Have you been on any more mission trips? Have you traveled abroad? Flown on a plane?”
Taylor even threw in some pop culture fun:
“Is Doctor Who still running? If so, who’s the new Doctor? Go watch some episodes—but finish reading this first!”
She also wondered about her future self’s life plans:
“Are we living on our own yet? If we’re in college, what’s our major? Right now, I want to be a lawyer.”
Taylor then mentioned a family outing:
“Have you been to Dollywood lately? The Wild Eagle is their newest ride right now. It’s a blast!”
She signed off with a playful touch:
“I’m thinking about selling my iPad to buy an iPad mini. Don’t forget to tell your kids we’re older than the tablet! I even drew a picture of it.”
In closing, Taylor left her older self—and now the world—with this reflection:
“That’s probably everything. But remember—I wrote this ten years ago. You’ve had your highs and lows. Accept them. That’s life. With love, Taylor Smith.”
The letter resonated deeply with online readers, many of whom expressed admiration and sorrow for the Smith family.
One can only imagine the wave of emotions Tim and Mary felt when they discovered and read their daughter’s final words.
If you were in their place, how do you think you would have reacted?