I was a teenager when my father died unexpectedly. He wrote me a letter before he died and it changed my entire outlook on life.

# I was a teenager when my father died unexpectedly. He wrote me a letter before he died and it changed my entire outlook on life.<br><br>My father died 10 years ago when I was 15. I was a typical teenager who hadn’t given much thought to mortality or the shortness of life. I was so fixated on the present moment—school, my relationships, what I’d do after graduation—that I hadn’t given much thought to the future or what I wanted to achieve with my life. I’d never thought about my own death and didn’t have any concept of how quickly things can change.<br><br>My dad was a good man. He worked tirelessly, and he sacrificed a lot for me to give me the best life that he could. He had a lot of love to give, and he had a deep faith that guided him. I was his only child, and he was an involved and caring father. So when he died in a brutal, unexpected accident that shocked everyone, I was devastated. It was as if the rug had been pulled out from under me. But in the aftermath of his death, I received a letter from him that would shape my life’s direction.<br><br>He wrote me a letter he called his “Last Lecture,” inspired by a viral speech at the time given by a professor with terminal cancer. The speech was called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” and it covered lessons for living and themes of finding your passion and staying true to yourself. My dad took some of the core ideas from the speech and adapted them to his own life. He wrote down what he believed in, what he valued most, and what lessons he wanted to pass on to me.<br><br>Reading that letter was transformative. It made me realize how short life is and that it can be taken from us at any moment. It made me understand that I had the power to choose my own path and decisions, rather than taking life for granted or following someone else’s expectations. It made me more grateful for the time we had together and for the sacrifices he made for me.<br><br>In the years since, I’ve read that letter dozens of times. It’s inspired me to pursue my passions, live with intention, and cultivate my own sense of purpose. It’s reminded me to be present with loved ones, to take nothing for granted, and to use my talents and resources to make a difference in the world. It’s taught me the value of hard work, the beauty of kindness and generosity, and the power of forgiveness.<br><br>I keep that letter close to me as a reminder that each day is a gift, full of opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute. It’s a daily reminder that life is precious, fleeting, and unpredictable, and that I have the power to create a life of purpose and fulfillment.<br><br>I’ll carry that letter with me forever, using it as a guide for living a life that’s true to who I am and what I believe in.