Internet Strangers Help Widowed Dad Hear His Late Wife’s Voice Again

“She always dreamed of being in a band, but had anxiety about performing,” her husband, Jared Buhanan Decker, 33, of Salt Lake City, Utah, told TODAY of his wife’s passion for music.

But Sharry never got to meet her son, JJ, or play him her songs. She died on June 16, giving birth to the boy.

But she didn’t leave JJ, or Jared, without something to remember her with.

Shortly after Sharry’s death, Jared found audio files on her laptop of songs she had recorded for JJ, including an original track called “Baby Don’t Worry.” But to Jared’s frustration, he couldn’t open the files—they were in an inaccessible format.

He took to the Internet and found a solution in the online community of Reddit.

“My wife recently died during the childbirth of our first baby, needless to say life has been hell the last two months. She dabbled in writing and recording songs nothing professional of course but very important to me,” the grieving father wrote in his post. “I just want to be able to hear her voice again.”

Within minutes, strangers rallied to find a solution. The fix was simple, and Jared got her music back.

“I was blown away by the kindness of complete strangers,” Buhanan-Decker told TODAY. “I obviously wish I didn’t need it, but tragedies can really bring out the love and compassion in everyone.”

Now, Jared and baby JJ listen to Sharry’s music every night before bed. According to Jared, JJ’s face lights up every time.