"How's your relationship with GOD? Have you prayed, worshipped, read the bible, or gone to serve the Lord recently?"
Asking somebody these questions may seem commonplace. But these questions and some other things shocked the parents of a 12-year-old girl who included these questions in a letter she wrote addressed to her own self and sealed in an envelope to be opened only when she reaches 22.
Facebook users are reminiscing the memory of Taylor Smith from Johnson City, Tennessee, as her inspiring story originally posted on the website Little Things and other news outlets in January 2014 continues to be shared on social media, stirring up the emotions of readers.
The articles written on Taylor all underscored that she would not be able to open her own letter anymore, having passed away nine months after writing the letter on April 13, 2013.
There were no words to describe the grief that struck her parents, Tim and Mary Ellen Smith, when the creative, quirky and intelligent girl passed away on Jan. 5, 2014 due to complications resulting from pneumonia.
They were all the more shocked to discover their daughter's letter to her future self with instructions to be read only in the year 2023.
But the letter somehow eased their grief as they heard their daughter's voice again in the letter. They later shared her letter to their ministry and then to the world.
This is Taylor's letter to her 22-year-old self:
"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"
