A few years before this video was published, David Schmitz found out she only had a few months to live because she had stage four ovarian cancer. She was the mother of four boys, one being only 2 years old. It was hard for her to come to terms with leaving everyone behind, but she found hope in a future for her family. She passed away in September of 2011, but before she passed away, she wrote a letter and gave it to her friend. Her friend was to give it to the KSTZ Star 102.5 radio station when her husband had moved on with his life. In September of 2013, he asked his girlfriend, Jayne Abraham, to marry him. The time had come.
The letter was sent to the radio station and they knew they had to grant this Christmas wish, but first they had to get him to the station. CNN reports: "The station told David only that someone sent in a Christmas wish for his family and asked him to come to the studio." They began their show asking him about his wife and then moved into reading him her letter live on the radio. It isn't long before David becomes emotional. It is hard for anyone to hear this letter without getting tears in their eyes.
They begin reading the letter at about 3:40. If you would like to read it yourself, the letter read as follows:
"Hello. My name is Brenda Schmitz. When you are in receipt of this letter, I will have already lost my battle to ovarian cancer. I am writing this letter to have sent to you by a dear friend who has instructions to do so when it was the time. I had to type this because I can barely write anymore because of my shakiness. I told her once my loving husband, David, had moved on in his life and had met someone to share his life with again, to mail this letter to all of you at the station.
I always enjoyed through the years the Christmas Wish you all put on. It is a tremendous and thoughtful deal you do for people that truly exemplifies what Christmas is all about. As I was thinking about my last months on earth, I told David my wishes after I was gone that I believed he follow through with the attitude and courage I know he possesses. What a great husband and father he is. I know all of this is extremely hard on him. He is the one making the best decisions from here on out for my family and ultimate[ly] finding a caring, compassionate, loving woman in time to help raise the boys. She must be quite a lady (and I wish I could have met [her]) to take on the task of raising a larger extended family with unwavering love and devotion and a huge heart. I also gave my friend some things to do–and this letter sent to you is one of them–when the time presented itself.
We have 4 boys: Carter, Josh, Justin, and my little Max. Max is the youngest at 2 years old. I was diagnosed right after his first birthday. No child as young as Max should lose his mother, and it brings tears to my eyes now thinking of it. 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, beautiful boy. I will miss all my boys. My favorite has always been the one standing in front of me.
My reason for writing this: I have a wish. 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 [hope that] they always feel safe in a world of pain. I was hoping that one small act you all could do for me can change and help their lives forever and they know I am with them always.
First, for David’s new lifelong partner: a day, or better yet a weekend of pampering in all aspects of her life (hair, makeup, body massage, clothes, shopping, spa, or weekend getaway–whatever). She deserves it. Being a stepmother to all those boys and especially giving little 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. Talk to me. You are heard. For the family: a magical trip, somewhere where they all can enjoy their company and companionship as a family and create those memories that will be with them forever. Finally, the cancer doctors at Mercy Hospital and nurses of 8 South (Dr. Carlson, Dr. Turner, Deb Schneur, Marie Rudolph): a night out full of drinks and fun for all they do everyday for the cancer patients they encounter.
May God bless and keep all of you safe there. Thanks for this. When you wish upon a star . . . Brenda."
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