What would you do if your child unexpectedly died of sickness? Having a sick child is bad enough but it’s exponentially worse when the child’s life is cut short because of the disease or condition.
This is what American couple Tim and Mary Smith experienced when their daughter, 12-year-old Taylor, died from pneumonia on January 5, 2014. Newsner reported that the “creative, happy and intelligent girl” succumbed to the sickness in a sudden manner.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumonia kills children more than any other illness. It is able to steal their lives more than AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. The WHO reported that over 2 million children die from pneumonia annually.
Pneumonia is a type of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. It is most prevalent in countries within South Asia and Saharan Africa.
Everyday Health stated that pneumonia symptoms in children include a dry cough, headaches, tiredness, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, sweating, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing, among others.
After Taylor died from pneumonia, her parents decided to go through their daughter’s possessions.
What they discovered among one of the boxes was a letter written by Taylor herself, addressed to her future self — her 26-year-old version, to be exact.
She wanted the letter to be opened in 2023 but the couple read it anyway and were inspired by what she wrote.
Here are her words:
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, worshiped, 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
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What do you think about Taylor’s letter? If you were a parent who found something like this, how would you react?
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