Steve Harvey was about to start the final round of Family Feud when a producer walked onto the stage with an envelope. This had never happened before. “Steve, you need to read this right now,” the producer said, his voice shaking. “Inside was a letter from a 9-year-old girl named Emma, who was in the final stages of leukemia.

 Her last wish wasn’t to meet Steve Harvey. It was for her mom, who was standing on the Family Feud stage at that very moment. To hear something Emma had written, but was too weak to say in person. What Steve read in the next 4 minutes left 12 million viewers in tears and reminded everyone watching what truly matters in life.

 It was a Tuesday afternoon in May 2019 at the Family Feud Studio in Atlanta. The Johnson family from Chapel Hill, North Carolina was competing against the Wilson family from Portland, Oregon. The game had been light-hearted and fun with both families giving entertaining answers and Steve keeping everyone laughing with his trademark reactions.

 The Johnson family was winning comfortably. Sarah Johnson, 36, stood at the center of her family lineup. She was flanked by her sister Rachel, her brother Tom, her mother Patricia, and her husband’s brother Mike. It was supposed to be a six-person family. Sarah had mentioned during introductions that her daughter Emma, nine, couldn’t make the trip because she was under the weather.

 What the audience didn’t know, what even Steve didn’t know at that moment was that Emma wasn’t just under the weather. She was in the pediatric oncology unit at Duke University Hospital, 50 mi away, in the final stages of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Steve Harvey, dressed in a navy blue suit with a silver tie, was preparing to start the final fast money round.

 “The Johnson family had earned the right to play for $20,000, and the energy in the studio was celebratory.” “All right, Johnson family,” Steve said with his signature smile. “Y’all have been amazing today, Sarah, you ready to play some Fast Money?” Sarah smiled, but there was something in her eyes, a sadness she was trying to hide.

 “Ready, Steve?” That’s when it happened. Marcus Freeman, the executive producer, walked onto the stage. In 20 years of hosting Family Feud, Steve had never seen Marcus come onto the stage during active taping unless there was an emergency. “Marcus was carrying a manila envelope and his eyes were red. He’d been crying.

” “Steve,” Marcus said quietly, but his microphone picked it up. “You need to read this right now.” Steve’s expression changed from confusion to concern. What’s going on, Marcus? Just please read it. The family needs to hear this. Steve took the envelope. He looked at Sarah, whose face had gone pale. She knew.

 Somehow she knew this had something to do with Emma. The audience was completely silent. The competing Wilson family stood respectfully on their side of the stage, sensing something profound was happening. Steve opened the envelope and pulled out several pieces of paper. The top sheet was written in a child’s handwriting. Big looping letters in purple crayon.

The margins were decorated with hearts, stars, and stick figures. A family of stick figures holding hands. Steve looked at the first page and his eyes immediately filled with tears. He looked up at Marcus, then at Sarah, then back at the letter. Sarah, Steve said, his voice already thick with emotion. This is from your daughter.

 From Emma? Sarah’s hand flew to her mouth. Tears instantly began streaming down her face. Her sister Rachel wrapped an arm around her. She contacted us three weeks ago, Marcus explained to the audience. She asked us to give this letter to Steve to read on the show. At this exact moment, after her mom’s family won, Steve had to take a moment to compose himself.

 When he spoke again, his voice was gentle. Emma wanted to be here today, but she’s too sick to travel. She’s at Duke Hospital right now watching this with her nurses. She wrote this letter for her mama and she asked me to read it out loud. He paused. Is that okay with you, Sarah? Sarah couldn’t speak. She just nodded, tears flowing freely.

 Steve looked down at the letter and began to read. Dear Mr. Harvey, my name is Emma Johnson and I’m 9 years old. By the time you read this, I might not be here anymore. But that’s okay because I got to do something really important first. Steve had to stop. He wiped his eyes with his handkerchief.

 The audience was already crying. He continued, “I’ve been sick for a long time. 2 years and 4 months if you count exactly. I have leukemia, which is a kind of cancer that makes your blood sick. The doctors tried really hard to make me better. But sometimes, even when doctors try their best, bodies don’t cooperate. That’s what my mom says.

 She says, “It’s not the doctor’s fault and it’s not my fault. It’s just what happened.” Steve looked up at Sarah, who was being held up by her sister and brother now. Her mother, Patricia, was openly sobbing. The reason I wrote to your show is because my mom loves Family Feud. We used to watch it together every single night before I got too sick.

 When I had good days, we’d play along and try to guess the answers. Mom would make popcorn and we’d sit on the couch and she’d hold me and we’d laugh at your reactions to funny answers. The audience laughed through their tears at that. Steve smiled despite his streaming eyes. Those are my favorite memories, Mr. Harvey.

 Just me and my mom on the couch laughing together. Even when I felt really bad, watching your show made me feel a little bit better. Steve had to stop reading again. He looked at the camera crew and saw that every single person was crying. Camera operators, sound technicians, lighting crew, everyone. He took a breath and continued.

 I asked the doctors if I could go to the show with my mom, but they said I’m too sick to travel. My body is too tired, but I still wanted to do something special for my mom because she’s the best mom in the whole world. Steve’s voice broke, but he pushed through. My mom cries a lot when she thinks I’m sleeping. She tries to be brave for me, but I know she’s scared and sad.

 I want her to know some things, but I can’t say them out loud anymore because talking makes me too tired. So, I wrote them down and asked you to read them for me. Steve turned the page. The next sheet had a heading written in bigger letters. Things I want my mommy to know. Number one, Steve read, his voice barely above a whisper.

 It’s not your fault. You’re the best mommy and you did everything right. You took me to all my treatments, even when it made you miss work. You slept in my hospital bed with me every night. You never left me alone when I was scared. You made me feel loved every single day of my life. Sarah collapsed to her knees.

 Her family gathered around her, all of them crying, holding her. Number two, don’t forget to be happy again. I know you’re going to be sad for a long time, and that’s okay. But someday I want you to laugh again like we laughed watching Family Feud. I want you to eat popcorn and watch Steve Harvey and smile.

 When you do, I’ll be there with you. You just won’t be able to see me. Steve had to hand the letter to Marcus for a moment while he collected himself. Marcus was crying too hard to read. Steve took it back. Number three, tell daddy I love him. Tell him it’s okay to cry. Tell him I’m proud that he’s my daddy. Tell him to take care of you because you take care of everybody else but sometimes you forget to take care of yourself.

 Steve looked at Marcus. Where’s Emma’s father? He couldn’t come. Marcus said quietly. He’s at the hospital with her. Someone had to stay. Steve nodded and continued reading. Number four. I’m not scared anymore. The doctors and nurses here are really nice and they tell me that when I go to sleep this last time, I won’t hurt anymore.

 I’ll get to run and play and be strong again. And I’ll be able to watch over you from wherever I go. The entire studio was sobbing now. Even the Wilson family, the competitors were crying. Number five, and this is the most important one, Mommy. I had a really good life. I know I didn’t get to grow up and be a teenager and get married and have kids like you wanted me to, but I got 9 years of being loved by you, and that’s worth everything.

 Some people live to be a hundred and never feel as loved as I felt every single day. Steve had to pause for a long moment. When he continued, his voice was raw. So when you watch this show, when Mr. Harvey reads this letter, I want you to know that I love you bigger than the sky. That’s what we always say. Remember, bigger than the sky.

 And I want you to win that money so you can use it for something that makes you happy. Maybe take a trip. Maybe help other kids who are sick like me. Maybe just buy yourself something nice and think of me. Steve turned to the final page. Thank you for being my mommy. Thank you for every hug, every kiss. Good night. Every time you told me I was brave, even when I didn’t feel brave.

 Thank you for making my life beautiful even though it was short. I love you bigger than the sky. Forever and always, Emma. P.S. Mr. Harvey. Please make sure my mom wins. She deserves it. Steve finished reading and stood in silence for a moment. Then he carefully folded the letter and walked over to Sarah, who was still on her knees.

 He knelt down beside her and handed her the letter. “This is yours,” he said gently. “Emma wanted you to have it.” Sarah took the letter with trembling hands and clutched it to her chest. She couldn’t speak. She could only cry. Steve stood and addressed the audience and the camera. “I don’t know what to say right now.

 I’ve been hosting shows for 30 years and I’ve never His voice broke. I’ve never read anything like that. He looked at the Wilson family. I’m sorry, Wilson family. We’re not finishing this game. I can’t ask trivia questions right now. I can’t do it. David Wilson, the father of the Wilson family, stepped forward. Mr. Harvey, we don’t want to play either.

Whatever the Johnson family was going to play for, we want them to have it. Both families should get it. Steve nodded. Thank you. That’s beautiful. He looked at the producers. Make it happen. Both families get the maximum prize. He turned back to Sarah. Emma wanted you to win, sweetheart. So, you won.

 But more importantly, you won at being a mother. That little girl loves you so much that her dying wish was to make sure you knew it. Steve helped Sarah to her feet. Her family surrounded her and they stood together in a tight circle holding each other. I want to say something to everyone watching.

 Steve said to the camera. Emma’s letter reminded me, reminded all of us what really matters. It’s not money. It’s not fame. It’s not winning game shows. It’s love. It’s being there for the people who need us. It’s making sure the people we love know they’re loved. He paused. If you have kids, go hug them tonight.

 If you have parents, call them. If you have someone you love, tell them because Emma’s right. Some of us get 9 years, some of us get 90. But what matters isn’t how long we’re here. It’s how much love we give and receive while we’re here. The episode didn’t air immediately. The producers worked with Sarah and her family to make sure they were comfortable with it being broadcast.

They added resources for families dealing with childhood cancer. They partnered with several pediatric oncology organizations. Emma passed away 6 days after the show was taped. She was in her mother’s arms in their home surrounded by family. “Sarah told Emma about the show, about how Steve read her letter, about how everyone cried and loved her message.

” “Did I do good, Mommy?” Emma asked, barely able to speak. “You did perfect, baby,” Sarah whispered. You did so perfect. Those were Emma’s last words. I love you bigger than the sky. Bigger than the sky, Sarah whispered back. Forever and always. When the episode aired 2 months later, it was watched by over 30 million people.

 The most watched Family Feud episode in history. The response was overwhelming. Families donated millions to childhood cancer research. Support groups were formed. Emma’s letter was read at fundraisers and printed in newspapers and shared millions of times on social media. But perhaps the most important impact was the simplest one. Millions of people went home and hugged their children a little tighter that night.

Sarah Johnson used the prize money to start the Emma’s Sky Foundation, which provides financial support to families dealing with pediatric cancer. In Emma’s name, they’ve helped hundreds of families pay for treatments, travel expenses, and time away from work. Steve Harvey keeps a copy of Emma’s letter in his dressing room.

 He’s read it hundreds of times. It reminds him why he does what he does, not just to entertain, but to create moments of connection, compassion, and love. 5 years after Emma’s letter was read on Family Feud, Sarah returned to Steve’s talk show. She brought something with her, a video Emma had recorded before she got too sick, answering Family Feud questions with her mom. It was pure joy.

A little girl and her mother laughing together, guessing answers, celebrating when they got them right. That’s who she was, Sarah told Steve. Not the sick girl, the joyful girl, the girl who loved bigger than the sky. She still does, Steve said. Look at what her letter started. Look at how many people she’s helped.

 Look at how many families she’s brought together. Emma’s love didn’t end when she passed. It multiplied. Sarah nodded. She taught me that love isn’t measured in years. It’s measured in moments. And we had thousands of beautiful moments. Emma’s letter did something extraordinary. It reminded millions of people that life is fragile. Love is everything.

 And every moment we have with the people we love is a gift. It transformed a game show moment into a movement of gratitude, compassion, and cherishing what matters most. The letter lives on. It’s been read at graduations, at weddings, at funerals. It’s been translated into dozens of languages. It’s been printed on posters in children’s hospitals.

 It’s become a reminder that even the shortest lives can have the longest impact when they’re filled with love. Emma Johnson got 9 years, but in those nine years, she talked the world something millions of people spend a lifetime trying to learn. That love is what matters. Love is what lasts.

 Love is bigger than the sky, forever and