THE STORY OF a young family from Iowa in the United States has started to spread across the world after a local radio station granted Brenda Schmitz three wishes – more than two years after her death.
The 46-year-old mum-of-four passed away from ovarian cancer in September 2011 but a month previous, she had written a letter which she gave to a friend with strict instructions.
The recipient was to send it to her favourite radio station, Star 102.5, once her husband David had fallen in love again.
“My reason for writing is this. I have a wish,” she wrote more than two years ago. ” I have a wish for David, the boys, and the woman and her family if she has kids also. I want them to know I love them very much and they always feel safe in a world of pain.”
The station has run a Christmas Wish programme for more than 20 years and Brenda wanted her family to be recipients this year.
For her husband’s new love, she asked for a weekend of pampering.
“She deserves it,” she said. “Being a step-mother to all those boys and especially giving lil Max a ‘mother’s love’ that only she can give. Make her smile and know her efforts are truly appreciated from me. Perseverance will prevail. Thank you – I love you – whoever you are.”
For the whole family, she asked for a magical trip where they could make ‘forever memories’.
Finally, she asked for a fun night out for the cancer doctors, nurses and other staff at Mercy Hospital where she was treated.
“We’ve been doing the Christmas Wish program for 20-plus years. We’ve never received a wish like this, ever,” said station manager Scott Allen.
The Iowa woman was diagnosed with Stage Four ovarian cancer just after her youngest boy’s first birthday.
“No child as young as Max should have to lose his mother and it brings tears to my eyes now thinking of it,” she wrote. “God I will miss seeing him and the boys grow up to be fine men. I have relayed to David to try and not let him forget me. He is such a bright, intelligent and beautiful boy.”
David Schmitz came to the studio to hear the letter being read out loud and was emotional throughout the segment:
(YouTube: star1025)
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