The letter wasn’t intended to be opened for another ten years, but Tim and Mary chose to do so. And what they discovered transformed everything.
Most kids want to go to college, tour the globe, and make a lot of friends. Taylor Smith, 12, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was no exception. This girl spent her days with her family and friends, and she enjoyed watching Doctor Who.
Smith revealed her ambitions in an April 2013 letter to her future self. The letter was put in a box in her room with the instructions, “To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 12, 2023 only (unless otherwise stated.”
Sadly, she was unable to live long enough to see whether her hopes were realized. Taylor di.ed as a result of a sudden attack of pneumonia only months after she penned the letter.
Her parents, Tim and Mary Ellen Smith, were devastated. They couldn’t believe their daughter was no longer with them.
They discovered the letter while sifting through her belongings one day. They chose to publish it online since it had a profound impact on them.
As Marry Ellen noted in her post on her daughter’s letter, “I can’t physically resuscitate her, I can’t bring her back, but I’m so pleased others have been moved by her tale.”
Taylor’s letter and the words she penned to herself are included below.
Dear Taylor
How’s it going? Right now, life is quite basic (10 years in your past). I know I’m late for you, but as I write, it’s early, so congrats on graduating from high school! If you didn’t, go back and try again. Get that diploma! Are you at college? If not, please understand. After all, we have very decent reasoning.
Don’t forget that today is Allana’s 11th birthday! 11 years old already? She was just one when I was born! However, I was unable to attend that celebration since I was in Cranks, Kentucky for my first mission trip. I’ve only been home for six days!
In that vein, how is your connection with God? Have you lately prayed, worshiped, studied the Bible, or gone to serve the Lord? If not, get up and do it right now! I don’t care where we are in our lives right now; do it! For you, he was humiliated, beaten, tormented, and crucified! A blameless guy who has never harmed you or anybody else!
Have you gone on any other mission trips since then? Have you left the country yet? What about flying?
Is Doctor Who still in production? If not, with what regeneration did they finish it? You should check out some Doctor Who! But first, you must finish reading your own words of wisdom!
Do you have a place of your own yet? What are we studying if we’re at college? I want to be a lawyer right now.
Have you lately visited Dollywood? The Wild Eagle is their newest attraction right now. It’s a lot of fun!
I’m thinking about selling my iPad and purchasing an iPad mini. Don’t forget to inform your children that we’re older than the tablet! I’ve also included a sketch of an iPad for you to show them.
That’s all I have for now. But keep in mind that this was written ten years ago. Things have occurred, both good and tragic. That’s simply the way life is, and you have to accept it.
Sincerely, Smith, Taylor
Beautiful thoughts from an angel that was stolen too soon from her family!