Man's wallet was stolen along with his dad's final letter to him — then, an unexpected email arrived

A loved one’s final gift can be one of the most precious keepsakes we have. Losing or having it stolen can be heartbreaking, as one man experienced when his father’s final letter was taken along with his wallet. Miraculously, he got it back in an unexpected way. Known as @purfairelevide on X, he shared both his story and the treasured letter.

"My father died 14 years ago. Towards the end, he dictated this note to a nurse. I’ve carried it in his wallet ever since. Someone stole the wallet a few years later. It had my address inside. They took the money and mailed the wallet back, with the note, in an unmarked envelope," the man shared. "One of the most truly decent human things I’ve ever experienced. There’s hope out there, and it’s on the NYC subway," he added. The letter read, "Dear Jonathan, I wanted to start by letting you know how much I love you and how proud I am of all of your accomplishments." The dad continued, "Your accomplishments have exceeded my expectations and regardless of what obstacles arise in your life, I want you to keep focused on accomplishing your goals and making us proud."

"I know it must be very difficult for you to stay focused as you watch me struggle through my illness," the man pointed out. "I am very proud of your strength and courage in dealing with my illness and being focused on your studies at the same time. Even if I am not here at some point, I want you to continue being strong and courageous and to help your mother get through this." He expressed, "Even if I am not here, I will be in your heart watching over you. In the future, I would like you to meet a woman who is your equal, who is as intelligent, loving, kind and brave as you are." The man also wanted his son to pass on his virtues to his children. "Until we are reunited in heaven, in the future, I want you and your mother to have all the happiness life has to offer."

The dad concluded the note by saying, "Be good to your mother, yourself and your future family. I will love you forever. With all my love, Dad." People took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts and experiences. @benryanwriter wrote, "When I went to my mother’s bedside for the first time upon being told she had rapidly advancing terminal cancer when I too was in college, I expected a grandiloquent address such as this. Instead, she said she didn’t have that much to say. She’d taught me what I needed to know."

@BenMurph86239719 commented, "I can only imagine how awful they must have felt - intending to steal a few dollars and inadvertently taking something beyond all calculable value." @megliziel remarked, "Today is the 11th anniversary of my dad’s death. My hospital conversation like this with him was verbal and I so wish I’d written it all down right after. But it meant so much. He told me he was proud of me and I told him he’d been a wonderful dad. He had me sing for him."