It is every parent’s wish to see their offspring grow up to become healthy adults.

But Taylor Smith’s parents, Tim and Mary Ellen, had to endure a heartbreaking loss, when their 12-year-old daughter suddenly passed away from complications due to pneumonia. Needless to say, the parents were grief-stricken and broken to pieces.

As Tim and Mary Ellen went through their little girl’s belongings, they found a note that Taylor had written to her future self, to be opened 10 years later. What she had to say left Tim and Mary Ellen in shock. Emotions overcame the parents as they were reading the letter. The unexpected comfort it provided was enough to encourage them to share the letter with their ministry.

Scroll down to read what the 12-year-old Taylor had to say to a 22-year-old Taylor…

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The letter had the look of a very important document, complete with Taylor’s handwritten warnings in black ink.

Tim and Mary Ellen couldn’t resist the curiosity and their emotions, so they had to open the letter right away. They were stunned by what she had written.

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!

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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

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The poet Ellen Brenneman wrote, “We can’t know why the lily has so brief a time to bloom in the warmth of sunlight’s kiss upon its face before it folds into its fragrance and bids the world good night to rest its beauty in a gentler place.”

The message of a beautiful girl with a warm heart inspires everyone who reads the letter.

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