As Taylor listed her hopes and dreams for herself, she let her mind dream big and her heart beat with a fiery passion for life – little did she know that a year later her short time on earth would come to a tragic end.
Not long after their daughter lost her life to pneumonia, parents Tim and Mary Smith were going through her personal effects when they came across a sealed letter.
The words, “to be opened by Taylor Smith on: April 13, 2023 ONLY! Unless said otherwise” were hand-written on the front of the envelope, but knowing that their daughter would never be able to open it for herself, Tim and Mary decided to have a look.
Taylor’s dad Tim shared what he found inside on Facebook, writing, “Taylor’s letter to future self. Be encouraged.”
Although the doting parents knew how smart their daughter was, not even they could prepare themselves for the incredibly touching words they read in the letter – which were made even more poignant now she was no longer with them.
“Dear Taylor, how’s life? Life is pretty simple right now (10 years in your past),” it began.
“Congratulations on graduating high school! If you didn’t go back and keep trying… if we are in college what are we majoring in? Right now I want to be a lawyer.”
The heartfelt words went on to ask if Doctor Who was on the air still and if her older self has been to Dollywood recently.
The final line of the page and half long letter is spine-tingling.
“Well, I think that’s all. But 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.”
Taylor’s parents revealed why they decided to share the letter on social media, “I hope that Taylor shared in this letter what she would’ve wanted to share with the world. So, as her father, I feel it’s the least I can do to honour her by sharing her letter with the world.”
