After Their 12-Year-Old Daughter's Death, Parents Find Her Letter to Her Future Self

A young girl passed away suddenly, and her family was left heartbroken. When her parents started sorting through her items, they stumbled upon a letter she wrote to her future self.

In 2018, Taylor Smith died due to pneumonia complications, and the ordeal left her parents shattered. Their daughter was only 12 years old at the time, and she still had her whole life ahead of her.

A few months later, her mother and father, Mary Ellen and Tim, found a special memento with which they could remember their child. The Johnson City, Tennessee resident, had written a letter to herself, and the words were poignant.

READING THE EMOTIONAL LETTER

Inside the boxes in her room, the parents were stunned to see an envelope with an unusual message on the front. It stated:

"To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 13, 2023, only unless said otherwise."

Mary Ellen was overcome with emotion as she read the special words. While she could not bring her child back to life, the letter allowed her to connect with her daughter again.

THE ONLINE REACTION

The mother who shared the letter online was encouraged by the public response. She expressed: "I can't bring her back, but I'm so grateful people have been inspired by her story." The letter struck a chord with many people.

One user said: "That's sad, but heartwarming at the same time." Another added: "I'm sitting here almost balling. She was soooo MATURE." Others were inspired to write their own letters.

MOTIVATED HER FUTURE SELF

The young girl had motivated herself in the note she planned to open when she was 22 years old. In the letter, she asked herself if she lived by herself yet and was curious about what she was studying in college.

The youngster also hoped she had her high school diploma and told herself to try again if she failed. Taylor shared that she wanted to be a lawyer and also inquired about some fun things that kept her busy.

HER WORDS OF WISDOM

In the letter, Taylor said: "Is Doctor Who still on the air? ... Have you been to Dollywood recently?!" Her words of wisdom ended with a line that was apt considering her passing.

She wrote:

"Remember, it's been 10 years since I wrote this. Stuff has happened good and bad, that's just how life works, and you have to go with it."

SHE WAS AN AWESOME CHILD

Taylor's father was glad his daughter's words had made a difference to many netizens worldwide. He wanted people to know how "awesome" his child was.

Her mother added: "[We've got] letters from lots of parents who've said it's encouraged them to love their kids and love each other." The bittersweet letter is something Taylor's parents and many others who have lost loved ones will cherish forever.