Girl’s letter to her future self, written months before she passed away

What most teenagers dream of is to go to college, travel the world, and have many friends. 12-year-old Taylor Smith, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was no different. This girl spent her days around her family and friends and loved watching a lot of Doctor Who. 

Smith outlined these plans in a letter she wrote to her future self in April 2013. The letter was placed inside a box in her room with the instruction “To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 12, 2023 only (unless said otherwise).”

Taylor Smith

Unfortunately, she didn’t live long enough to see whether those dreams would be accomplished. Just months after she wrote that letter, Taylor died of complications from a sudden onset of pneumonia.

Her parents, Tim and Mary Ellen Smith, were heartbroken. They couldn’t believe their girl was forever gone.

One day, as they were sorting through her possessions, they found the letter. As it touched them deeply, they decided to share it online and give others some solace.

Taylor Smith

As she shared her daughter’s letter, Marry Ellen wrote: “I can’t physically resurrect her, I can’t bring her back, but
I’m so grateful people have been inspired by her story.”

Taylor Smith

Below is Taylor’s letter and the words she wrote to herself.

Taylor Smith

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

Beautiful words from an angel who was taken away from her family too soon!

If you were touched by Taylor’s words as much as we were, please share this story in her memory.

I Asked to Be Cut from My Parents’ Will after Overhearing My Brothers’ Conversation

When Elena’s parents decided to leave her the family home, she expected her brothers to share in the joy. Instead, their hidden resentment leads to a revelation that changes everything. Will her decision to reject her inheritance heal old wounds or create new ones?

Growing up as the youngest and the only daughter in a tight-knit family had its perks and its challenges. But mostly, I felt cherished, surrounded by my parents and two protective older brothers, Kyle and Dean.

It was the kind of childhood you’d think was straight out of a feel-good movie—complete with raucous holiday gatherings, summer barbecues in our backyard, and the kind of parents who never missed a school play or a soccer game.

Last weekend was no different in its familial warmth, or so I thought as we gathered around the dining table, the familiar scents of mom’s cooking mingling with the soft murmur of catch-up conversations.

Our parents, though noticeably grayer and more deliberate in their movements, were as spirited as ever, their eyes twinkling with a kind of excitement you’d associate with kids planning a secret clubhouse meeting.

As we settled into the comfortable rhythm of passing dishes and sharing updates, Mom and Dad exchanged a glance—a silent nod that seemed to signal it was time for the ‘main event’ of the evening.

Clearing his throat, Dad announced, “We’ve been thinking a lot about the future, especially about this house, which has been a home to so many memories for us.”

Mom took over with a voice both soft and resolute, “We’ve decided that we want Elena to have the house in our will.”

The words landed on the table with a weight I hadn’t anticipated, stirring a mixture of surprise and gratitude in me. “Really?” was all I managed, my voice a mix of shock and a burgeoning sense of responsibility.

That’s when I noticed it—the poker faces on Kyle and Dean. As our parents continued discussing the details, my brothers clapped mechanically, their smiles not quite reaching their eyes.

Something in their expressions hinted at a private joke or a shared concern, hidden just beneath the surface of their orchestrated calm.

Trying to shake off a growing unease, I nodded and thanked my parents, though the look in my brothers’ eyes—hinting at something hidden—stayed with me.

After everyone had said their goodnights and the house quieted down, the small twinge of unease I felt earlier began to settle into the pit of my stomach.

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