Ever since my sweet wife was a little girl, she wanted to be a mother. It was her dream to have and raise children – and it has been my deepest honor to watch this good woman love, protect, and nurture our kids. It has been my greatest honor to be her partner in life, love, and parenting.

Lately, I’ve been stumbling into little breadcrumbs Mitch left behind, and these breadcrumbs have brought me a great deal of joy and gratitude for all that ever was. One example happened just a few weeks ago; Natalie and I moved Mitchell’s bed and discovered a laminated poem he wrote in school. Somehow, someway, this little paper slipped and drifted under his bed, far from view. And there it slept for 7 years, Natalie and I unaware of its tender existence.

This is what Mitchell wrote in honor of his mother:

THE BEST MOM EVER
Golden, shiny hair,
Eyes like the ocean,
Pretty, young,
Special to me.

Cooks juicy stroganoff,
Makes my comfortable bed,
Buys me cool presents on my birthday.

Rode the Dragon ride at Legoland,
Pushes me on the swings.
Tucks me in at night.

My mom is the best.

When Natalie and I read that, our hearts gushed with gratitude. We marveled over some of his word choices (“eyes like the ocean”) but more importantly, we melted over his heartfelt sentiments. Although we cried tears of loss and longing later that night, at that moment, we were captured by the sweet innocence of our son.

Mitch was right; he had the best mom ever, and his short life reminds me that while nothing lasts, everything that matters is forever.