It was a totally normal day for 52-year-old Gordon Draper as he went through piles and piles of old books at his store, Bondgate Books. But little did he know he was moments away from making a discovery that comes with a mystery that simply has to be solved.
He came across one particular book, and he noticed an incredibly fragile envelope hidden inside. Intrigued, he slowly opened the envelope and found one of the most heartbreaking letters he's ever read.
Inside was a letter addressed to a "Bethany" from her dying mother. Along with a picture of what's presumed to be Bethany and her mom, there isn't much evidence to find out who it could possibly be. With no last name, a search has begun in an attempt to see if anyone recognizes the woman or the adorable little girl, who must be a grown-up by now.
The letter itself is completely heartbreaking, and Gordon Draper admits to bawling like a baby when he read the P.S. portion at the very end.
No one knows how Gordon got the book. His store policy is very open to book trades, so this could have happened years ago or a day ago. There's also no telling if the mother actually even passed away — there's simply no knowledge besides the name "Bethany" and a single picture. Maybe you know them and could help crack this mystery!
Please check out the pictures below, along with one of the most beautiful letters we've ever read.
Bondgate Books in Bishop Auckland, England, is one of those quaint little bookshops that's still standing strong, in spite of all the "mega" bookstores popping up all over the country. Maybe that's because you'll always find a book you never even knew you needed to read, and the owner is a local man who obviously loves his town and his countless books!
But one day, the owner of the bookstore, Gordon Draper, was going through some of his secondhand books when a very odd envelope slipped out. When he opened it and looked inside, he found something that broke his heart.
Inside one of those books was a picture of a little girl and her mother, along with one of the most touching "goodbye" letters we've ever read. The only problem was that there was no last name in the letter or anything very distinguishable to help reunite the little girl (grown up by now) with the picture and words of her mother.
But with the help of the internet, this story is begining to spread, and the hope is that, by some miracle, somebody out there will see the picture and actually recognize the girl or her mother!
The letter itself is written from a dying mother who seems to be looking at her final days on Earth.
"Bethany (My Little Treasure). If your dad is reading this to you it is because I have died and gone to heaven to live with the angels… I will always be in the sky making sure you are all right and watching over you. So when you see a bright star like in the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle :ittle Star, that's me."
"I hope you don't forget me because I'll always be your mom. Lots of hugs and kisses. Goodbye, Mom. P.S. I'm depending on you to look after Rosie for me now. Don't forget her will you not."
Hopefully someone out there recognizes Bethany or her mother. And who knows, maybe this book was given away because the letter was never needed. Maybe this mother is out there still alive, and happily living with her family. Maybe she doesn't even remember writing this letter.
No matter what, this emotional letter leaves everyone who reads it in tears. And while we might never find out who Bethany is, at least we know she was very much loved by her dear Mother.
UPDATE 9.7.2016
Bethany has been found!
Unfortunately, her mother, Lisa, passed away back in 1999 from Cystic Fibrosis. The letter was lost back in 2004 when the family moved, and Bethany is now incredibly happy to be reunited with the loving letter.
Now with a child of her own, Bethany gives her little baby all the books her own mother gave her when she was growing up.
Please SHARE this touching story if you're happy that Bethany finally has her mother's letter back home!
