In April of 2013, 12 year-old Taylor Smith wrote a letter to herself that she planned to open exactly ten years later when she was 22 years-old.
“To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 12, 2023 only (unless said otherwise),” she wrote on the envelope of the letter before placing it in a box in her room.
Sadly, Taylor passed away just months after writing the letter due to complications from a sudden onset of pneumonia. Her parents Tim and Mary Ellen Smith were devastated to lose their daughter, and as they went through her possessions weeks later, they were stunned to come upon the letter.
Tim and Mary Ellen decided to post the full letter online in the hopes of it giving others some solace, since the message of the letter is so powerful. We should warn you to have some tissues handy before reading any further…
Here’s the full letter that Taylor wrote to her future self:
Dear Taylor,
How’s life? Life is pretty simple right now (10 years in your past). I know I’m late for you, but as I’m writing, this is early, so; congratulations on graduating high school! If you didn’t, 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.
Don’t forget, it’s Allana’s 11th birthday today! Sheesh, 11 already? In my time, she just turned 1! I didn’t get to go to that party though, because I was in Cranks, Kentucky for my first mission trip. I’ve only been back for 6 days!
Speaking of, how’s 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 don’t care what point in our life we’re 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 we’re 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. It’s so fun!
Also I think I’m going to sell my iPad and buy an iPad mini, Don’t forget to tell your kids that we’re older than the tablet! Attached I also have a drawing of an iPad, so you can show them.
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.
Sincerely, Taylor Smith
Those are some beautiful words from a little angel who was taken away far too soon. Learn more about Taylor’s story in the video below, and SHARE this so your family and friends can see this as well!
