Just days before a devastating flash flood swept through Camp Mystic in Texas, 8-year-old Blakely McCrory wrote a heartfelt letter to her mother, Lindsey, describing how much fun she was having—riding horses, playing tennis, and bonding with cabin mates. That letter, discovered among her belongings after the tragedy, has become a cherished connection to a daughter whose young life was cut short. Blakely, a third-generation camper at Mystic, was full of joy and spirit, and the note is now a lasting reminder of her final happy days.

Lindsey, who had once attended the same camp, was vacationing in Europe when she first heard about the rain. She wasn’t immediately alarmed, recalling similar weather from her own camp days. But when she received a voicemail saying some campers were missing—and then a call confirming her daughter was one of them—her world shifted. She and her sister flew back to Texas that night, clinging to hope, while family members on the ground searched evacuation centers and awaited news.

By Monday evening, Lindsey received the heartbreaking confirmation that Blakely had died in the early hours of the flooding. Despite the crushing loss, she found a sense of peace in knowing her daughter was no longer missing and believed Blakely was now with her late father and uncle in heaven. “It gave me closure,” Lindsey said. “She’s safe now.” Known for her humor and resilience, Blakely had once comforted her cabin mates during the storm—another testament to her big heart and calming presence.

As tributes poured in for the many young lives lost, including Blakely’s fellow campers and counselors, Lindsey continues to hold tightly to her daughter’s memory. The letter remains her anchor, a symbol of love and light. “I want to keep her spirit close,” she said. “I know she’s watching over me.” Through faith, family, and that final note, Lindsey and her loved ones are finding strength to move forward—keeping Blakely’s joyful spirit alive, even in their deepest grief.