There’s nothing worse than losing a parent, no matter how old you are. But losing your parents during your childhood is truly heartbreaking and unfair.
Bailey Seller’s father passed away from pancreatic cancer when she was only 16 years old. When he was diagnosed, he knew that his time with his daughter was limited and that he would miss out on so many proud and important moments in his daughter’s life.
Luckily, he made a plan to ensure that he could have a physical presence in his daughter’s life for a little while longer.
And when Bailey turned 21 last Friday, her dad had arranged a surprise for her that would touch the hearts of millions.
Bailey’s father, Michael Williams Sellers, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two weeks after Christmas 2012. Although he was initially only given two weeks to live, he survived for six months after his diagnosis.
During that time, he hatched a plan to ensure that his youngest daughter would have something to remember him by for years to come.
“My dad passsed away when I was 16 from cancer and before he died he pre payed flowers so I could receive them every year on my birthday,” Bailey wrote in an emotional Twitter post.
“Well this is my 21st birthday flowers and the last. Miss you so much daddy.”
Every year, Bailey had looked forward to receiving her flowers because it made her feel her father was still with her on her special day. But this year, the note that arrived with the flowers contained words that she will carry with her for the rest of her life.
“This is my last love letter to you until we meet again,” her dad wrote. “I do not want you to shed another tear for me my baby girl for I am in a better place.”
“Be happy and live life to the fullest. I will still be with you through every milestone, just look around and I will be there.”
Bailey has clearly already begun following her father’s wish. She is now studying pyschology at the Eastern Tennessee University, and shares photos of her birthday flowers every year.
She says that this year’s note was especially meaningful.
“I broke down. That letter was very very awesome and sad all at the same time,” she tells The New York Post.
And according to Bailey, it was no coincidence that her post about her last flowers and note has gone viral, having been shared over 180 000 times.
“I honestly think that was my dad,” she tells the New York Post. “He was trying to make my birthday spectacular.”
My dad passed away when I was 16 from cancer and before he died he pre payed flowers so i could receive them every year on my birthday. Well this is my 21st birthday flowers and the last. Miss you so much daddy. 💜 pic.twitter.com/vSafKyB2uO
— Bailey Sellers (@SellersBailey) November 24, 2017
And what would Michael himself make of the response his daughter’s Twitter post has gained?
“He would be very proud,” Bailey says. “He would honestly say it was God, he’d be very proud that it touched a lot of people.”
What a beautiful gesture! I am so glad that Bailey shared her emotional story with us so that so many people could be comforted and inspired by her father’s wise words.
We want to help Bailey keep her father’s memory alive. Like and share this beautiful story to send Bailey good wishes for her future.
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