
Tim and Mary Smith’s lives were shattered when their 12-year-old daughter, Taylor, died. On January 5, 2014, the creative, happy, and intelligent girl suddenly passed away after losing the battle against pneumonia.
When the worst of the shock subsided, Taylor’s parents started going through their daughter’s things. In one box, they found a letter that their daughter had addressed to her adult self. The letter was to be opened in 2023, but since Taylor could no longer open it, the Smiths did.
Of course, the couple were surprised that their daughter had written a letter to her future self, but when they read their daughter’s words, they couldn’t hold back the tears.
Hearing Taylor’s voice again, through her words in the letter, was consoling to Tim and Mary. And they shared their daughter’s heart-rending letter online, where hundreds of thousands of people have read it.

Parents Tim and Mary Smith lost their daughter, Taylor, to pneumonia when their little girl was only 12-years-old. After some time, the Tennessee couple went through their late daughter’s things, and happened to find a mysterious letter.

Taylor wrote a letter to her future self on April 13, 2013, and sealed the note writing that it was to be opened on April 13, 2023. Taylor would have been 22-years-old.

With great interest, Taylor’s parents decided to open the letter. It was an emotional moment, and when Taylor’s parents read what their daughter had to say, tears ran down their cheeks.

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!
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
Beautiful words from an angel who taken away from her family too soon!
Were you also touched by Taylor’s words about faith and family? Share them with your friends on Facebook so her message can live on!