Most teenagers dream of going to college, traveling, and having lots of friends. Taylor Smith, a 12-year-old from Johnson City, Tennessee, had the same dreams. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and loved watching Doctor Who.
In April 2013, Taylor wrote a letter to her future self, talking about her plans. She kept the letter in a box in her room with a note that said, "To be opened by Taylor Smith on April 12, 2023 only (unless said otherwise)."
Source: Taylor Smith
Sadly, Taylor didn't live long enough to see if her dreams came true. She passed away a few months after writing the letter because of pneumonia.
Her parents, Tim and Mary Ellen Smith, were very sad. They couldn't believe their daughter was gone forever. While going through her things one day, they found the letter.
Source: Taylor Smith
It moved them deeply, so they decided to share it online to bring comfort to others. Mary Ellen, Taylor's mom, wrote when sharing the letter, "I can't bring her back, but I'm so glad her story inspires people."
Here's Taylor's letter and the words she wrote to herself:
Source: Taylor Smith
Source: Taylor Smith
Source: Taylor Smith
Source: Taylor Smith
Here is the unedited text:
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! Atatched 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
She even left a diagram detailing her iPad and reminding her future self to tell her children about it.
Source: Taylor Smith
At first, Taylor exhibited flu-like symptoms, but she tested negative.
Source: Taylor Smith
“We did the usual flu/cold thing and got her prescription, loaded up on popsicles and soup and brought her back to rest,” Tim said
“She was random, she was smart,” Tim said. “She was super funny and super fun.”
Source: Taylor Smith
“She liked doing quirky things and she liked doing meaningful things, she always created stuff,” Tim said. “The fact that she wrote this letter wasn’t a surprise, but what she wrote was”
Source: Taylor Smith
If you were touched by Taylor’s words as much as we were, please share this story in her memory.