It doesn’t matter how old they get, handmade gifts from your kids are easily the best things anyone could receive. They’re full of heart, and hard work, and nothing beats the smile on their face when you see how proud they are of what they’ve made.
Handmade gifts beat purchased ones any day. Nobody knows this more than Cindy Mathis.
Macy’s Journey
For her birthday, Cindy’s 16-year-old daughter, Macy, gave her 25 handwritten letters. Each letter was designated for a specific occasion—when she was feeling lonely, when she wasn’t feeling pretty, when she couldn’t sleep or when she just needed a laugh.
The letters were Macy’s way of reminding her mom just how much she loved her.
Less than a year after giving her mom the letters, the teen and her boyfriend were involved in a fatal car accident. Macy’s boyfriend, Adam Sattler, died on scene.
Adam Sattler
Just five days later, on November 25, Macy passed away as a result of her injuries.
Cindy had loved Macy’s letters before, but after such an unbearable tragedy, those 25 pages full of her daughter’s thoughts, hopes and love took on a whole new meaning.
She told a local news station that her daughter’s letters “really helped her out in a lot of ways that [she] didn’t realize until after [Macy] passed.”
Grieving her 16-year-old daughter meant Cindy was enduring loneliness, anger, sadness, depression and a multitude of other emotions. Macy unknowingly prepared immense comfort her mother.
The letter that was designated for when she was lonely read:
Hey mommy,
I’m sorry you feel lonely. I’m especially sorry if we’re the ones who made you feel lonely. I never intended to do that. I love you, and although you may feel lonely you’re not. You have four pretty awesome kids. We all may get on your very last nerve and drive you to the very edge, but come on mom you gotta love us. Talk to us, kids are smart ya know. We may give good advice.
Also if you just want to crawl in bed with me you can. I’ll play with your hair and rub your back until you fall asleep. I miss being that close to you, because I feel like your little girl again. Please don’t feel lonely mommy. You always have me.
Of course the hardest one of Macy’s letters for Cindy to open was the one labeled “Open When…You Miss Me.”
Macy’s Journey
It read:
Hey mommy,
I’m sorry that you’re missing me. I hope whatever you’re doing you’re okay. I’m probably missing you too. I honestly don’t like being away from the house for too long. I get home sick pretty easily.
When I was little and lived with dad I would look forward to being with you. I think some of it was because you always had good food at your house, but most if it was because I just missed you so much. I will always and forever love you mommy. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.
Cindy says that most of the letters have brought her joy during a time where it’s hard to find it, and all of the letters have made her cry.
Macy’s Journey
The mother of four says she’s grateful that Macy had the idea to write the letters.
Cindy believes they are a message that her daughter intended to carry out—and she has done just that.
