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Mitch was at the hospital for a routine checkup with his neurologist. The frequency of visits had gone up because he had reached the age doctors wanted to start benchmarking his muscle wasting. I was always sure to clear off my schedule so I could go to the hospital with Natalie and Mitch. I never wanted Mitch to be scared and see an empty chair where his dad should have been. I never wanted him to feel alone. Until his dying day, I always tried to be there for him.

“I have come to learn when I invest in my family, it pays dividends for a lifetime. ”

— Christopher M. Jones | Mitchell's Journey

As we waited for the neurologist to arrive, Mitch and I sat at the examination table and had a make-believe battle with some toys the hospital gave him. When it came to parenting, I never lost sight of my responsibility to teach him correct principles and encourage him to govern himself. But when it came to playing … I always got on his level and played as though we were childhood peers. Mitch would get swept away in the little stories we would co-create. On this occasion, we imagined the exam table was the top of a snowy mountain … so high in the atmosphere, gravity was light, and you could see the stars at noonday. The fate of the universe was at hand, and the two of us were battling it out.

Mitch giggled as he found a creative way to defeat me and win the universe. I remember this moment like it was yesterday and it will always be close to my heart.

I have never regretted prioritizing my family. Not once. Though I’m an imperfect parent, I have come to learn when I invest in my family, it pays dividends for a lifetime. This moment was just such an investment, and my heart is paid with gratitude and love … and that heals me.

Tonight, I will invest time in my children like I did this day with little Mitch. I will try to give them all of me and let them know how much I love them. For not many years from now, I will look back on today and either pay the price of regret or win the glad dividends of doing the right things at the right time and be glad I lived the life I lived.

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When it came to his imagination, little Mitch left no detail behind.  His imagination was intricate and full of endless possiblities.  

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THE WAY OUT
This morning we helped a local DMD family get a new wheelchair ramp installed at their home. They are the sweetest family you'll ever meet and we have grown to love them. This afternoon, when Tyler comes home from school, he will ride this new ramp for the first time.

“... the best way to change a negative circumstance is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

— Christopher M. Jones | Mitchell's Journey

We will share a video in the next few days that highlights this family and project.

The real heroes of this construction project are AGC of Utah and Jacobsen Construction. They did this. Their commitment to give back to the community inspires me to serve more, to lift heavy hands and to find new ways to help others.

On days like today, when we try to serve other families who will inevitably lose their boys, I tend to get a little weepy. Sometimes a lot weepy. My heart aches for their own burdens and I wish I could take it away from them. My grief has transformed into deep compassion for others - and though I still ache to be with my son, I am learning to channel that energy to help others. Therein lies that sweet heavenly paradox: when we try to lift others, we are also lifted.

As my wife and I left their home we both mentioned how much our hearts were overflowing with love and gratitude. Love and gratitude for this good family and for these good people who were willing to chip in and serve their community.

It is my experience that the best way to change a negative circumstance is to lose yourself in the service of others. I swear on my life this principle is true. It works. It helps. It heals.

• If you're hurting, go serve someone.
• If you're a little lost, help someone else find their way.
• If you're sad, help someone be happy. 
 • If don’t have the strength to stand, try kneeling and asking for help.

The way out of hard stuff is to help others through theirs. It may never take our pain away, but it will strengthen our backs so we can face another day. I hope everyone who read these words will find someone to serve today.

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The man on the left of this photo (see below) is Jacobsen Construction's teacher in their apprentice program.  I have watched this man for two years carefully teach and guide his apprentices.  He is a master teacher with a love for his craft.  What inspires me most about him is the other lessons he so authentically teaches ... the value of service and giving back to the community.    

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We cannot say enough about good about Rich Thorn, CEO of AGC of Utah and Rich Fullmer, head of apprenticeship and training.  These men, along with their entire company, are committed to make a difference in their industry and serve their community at the same time.  They don't give their core values lip service, they give their values action

AGC of Utah has been a wonderful supporter of Mitchell's Journey Foundation.

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TRANSCRIPT:

[Page H2305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

IN HONOR OF MITCHELL DEE JONES

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Matheson) for 5 minutes.

Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an 
inspirational young man from my district. Mitchell Dee Jones from 
Herriman, Utah, passed away on March 2 of this year after a lifelong 
battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Mitch was a beloved son, brother, friend, and Latter-day Saint. He 
lived life to the fullest and loved others selflessly. In the very best 
ways, Mitch was a typical 10-year-old boy playing board games, building 
with Legos, four-wheeling, camping, and enjoying the outdoors in Utah 
with his family. His sense of humor, of adventure, and of devotion to 
his family touched thousands. Both in his life and in his passing, 
Mitch's dignity and gentleness, strength of spirit, and quiet resolve 
reveal his exceptional character.

I hope you will join me today in honoring the life of this very 
special young man who brought others together, who touched lives in a 
profound way, and who inspired us all.

Mitch's parents, Chris and Natalie Jones, have humbly shared their 
family's journey with our community in Utah and with countless others 
around the world. They opened their lives and Mitch's story so they 
might serve others, bringing an important awareness and a better 
understanding of their son's condition and that of others with Duchenne 
muscular dystrophy.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to learn more about 
Mitch's story and about Duchenne muscular dystrophy by following his 
father's Facebook journal called ``Mitchell's Journey.''
This coming Monday, on April 29, the city of Herriman, Utah, will 
honor Mitch's life with the recognition of Mitchell Jones Day. Here in 
our Nation's Capital, we can join together to do the same by 
familiarizing ourselves with the disease that ultimately took Mitch's 
life.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic muscular disorder that most 
often affects young boys and is characterized by a progressive muscle 
weakness and degeneration. It is typically diagnosed early in life and 
is usually fatal in the late teens or early twenties. For some, like 
Mitch, the disease progresses quickly and affects the voluntary muscles 
of limbs and torso and eventually the involuntary muscle function of 
the heart and lungs.

As legislators, it is stories like Mitch's that should remind us of 
the magnitude of our decisions about time and resources. The course we 
chart for our country is real for families like the Joneses in every 
congressional district. I believe as a country we have endless 
potential to improve outcomes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and so 
many other diseases that our children face; and I think this should be 
a bipartisan effort.

As we work in service of our constituents, I hope we will all reflect 
on the Joneses in Herriman, Utah, and the priorities of real American 
families. These are citizens who inspire us to work harder, to do 
better, to solve problems, and to make a difference.

Mitch's legacy is one of love and compassion of an inspiring young 
man who faced every challenge with bravery and faith. Here in Congress 
we should strive to live and serve in the same way.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4449389/mitchells-journey

https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2013/4/25/house-section/article/H2305-2

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Here is a photo of Mitchell's brothers and sister I took yesterday afternoon. They are all growing up so quickly - I can't believe how fast time passes. All three of these children have endured profound and private grief over the loss of little their brother. Because of this, I have spent many nights on my knees praying for their well-being and that heaven will help them weather the storms of life. Teenage years are hard enough - and having to deal with such a personal loss at such a young age, I can see these kids growing up faster than I would have wanted. One thing I've learned on this journey is pain shapes us - it is unavoidable. I have also learned that our response to trouble has a lot to do with how pain shapes us: it can break us or re-make us. 

Ethan (center) was Mitchell's closest friend and brother. Today he plays a vital sibling role as the glue that keeps our kids together. He didn't ask for that responsibility, but he fulfills that well as he's learning to be a good young man and honor the memory of his fallen brother.