It was the most ordinary of days when Mitch received a package in the mail addressed just to him.
As if that didn't make him feel important enough, this package contained a very special key that would soon open a very special door. Attached to the key was a letter that told him to keep it safe, for it would be the key to unlock his wish. Mitchie, with magic in his eyes, looked at his key with great curiosity. We loved seeing our little boy so excited … and it’s fair to say there was a little magic in our hearts, too.
Mitch was only 7 years old at the time and we struggled with the decision to take him when we did. “Perhaps he’s too young to really appreciate it”, we thought to ourselves. “What if we wait a few years? Maybe his wish will be different when he matures a little.” But we also knew the longer we waited the weaker he’d become. Yet Mitch was supposed to live to his mid-20’s and it stood to reason we could wait a little longer before things got much worse. But somewhere, deep in our hearts, we felt time was not on our side and we needed to go then. In retrospect I can see there was more than a hunch at play.
It wasn't long before Mitch was invited to meet the Make-A-Wish team in Salt Lake City. They were all so kind and loving and we were humbled by their goodness. It was clear that the people of Make-A-Wish genuinely cared and wanted to lift heavy hearts and give children a reason to believe that good can happen despite the difficulties they face.
During this visit Mitch would use his key to open a special door to a most unique room. I’ll never forget the look of wonderment on his face as he saw a room completely filled with light. I had never seen anything like it, and haven’t since. Every surface was luminescent and softly changing color. The floor seemed to hover over a large pool of what felt like healing waters. This room was magical. Mitchell’s eyes grew big as he cautiously made way toward the center of the room where he would leave his hand-written wish.
As we drove home that evening my innocent son had a look on his face I had never seen before. Though he looked out the window of our car, his eyes seemed to look past the visible horizon into a place of dreams and wishes. A place of hope. As his father, knowing what DMD would soon do to his body, I couldn't help but gaze with Mitch ... out there, to that place of hope … praying my son would be spared.
A few weeks later Mitch was invited back to the Make-A-Wish building to be granted his wish. He was then given a stain glass star upon which he wrote his name and some of the things he loved. It now hangs with the many hundreds stars from other children who also had their wish come true. One day I will go back there and try to find Mitchell’s star. But, for now, my heart is much too tender and I don’t think I could see through the tears.
Our family would soon go on a week-long trip to Florida to visit the theme parks and stay at “Give Kids the World” (think Disney meets Wisteria Lane, minus the drama). Mitch loved roller coasters and had such a good time. For an entire week all that weighed heavy, was made light. We just had each other and memories to make.
I am humbled by the love and generosity of Make-A-Wish, its incredibly kind and compassionate staff and donors who gave my broken son the greater gift … the gift of hope. And hope is no small thing.
We never knew how much time we had, so we did the best we could and made the most of everything. Mitch couldn't give enough hugs and kisses, and neither could we.
Whenever he hugged us he would close his eyes as if to drink in the moment softly and deeply. I miss the feeling of his arms around my neck; but I ache to love and comfort him even more.
Over the years his muscles became weaker and the tightness of his hugs ever faint – but the strength of his love and affections grew stronger by the day.
If love could heal broken bodies, this young boy would be immortal. There was no end to his love. No end to his goodness.
This little boy, with a broken heart, taught me how to love in ways I never imagined nor ever quite supposed. And while I’m racked with loss and sorrow I now search for answers only God can show.
Losing my son has been the bitterest of cups, it has turned my life upside down, but right-side up.
It was January. The air was bitter cold and the clouds lay low, thick as London fog. Up the driveway walked loving grandparents to deliver a special gift to lift the heart of a young boy who was very, very sick. We thought we had a little more time with Mitch but the hour was later than we imagined. In retrospect the timing of this little gift was more than a puppy, it was a tender mercy. Over the next few weeks this little girl would perform a very special role in helping calm the heart of my dying son – and would be by his side to comfort him as he passed away.
After Mitch was denied a heart transplant in November we started searching for a puppy because he always wanted one to call his own. We wanted our son to be happy with whatever time he had left and we felt this was one way to bring comfort to him. My wife and I explored every lead and looked in every corner, each time returning empty-handed. Then, one afternoon we got a call from Natalie’s father who said he found one. We were unaware that he had diligently been searching, too. He also felt moved upon to do something for him. We were so excited for Mitch and we were so very grateful.
Mitch was in our basement playing a video game unaware the gift he would soon receive. I ran outside to greet my in-laws and take photos of everything that would follow. As my father-in-law opened the box to give me a peek my heart leapt from my chest and sprouted wings. I fought back tears because I knew what this would mean to my sweet son.
I’ll never forget the feelings I had when I first laid eyes on this furry little snowflake. Inside an old cardboard box was timid, sweet and loving little puppy. Carefully placed next to her was a Ziploc bag with handwritten instructions and some puppy food. She was also sent away with a knotted cloth that had her mother’s scent to comfort this sweet little girl as she stepped into a new and unfamiliar world. This old man and this young puppy were on a mission of mercy.
In every way, she was perfect. Just as sweet and shy as our little Mitchie, they felt like familiar souls. It was as if they were meant for each other.
I posted this video of their first meeting: https://vimeo.com/58228257
Every time I watch that video I feel a spectrum of emotions. One of my favorite parts is seen at 1:40 when you see Mitchell’s grandfather smiling as Mitch loved his new little friend. That image is heavenly to me. It shows the satisfaction one gains from heart-felt service and seeing joy in another. I can only imagine the face of our Father when he sees us being good and kind to each other.
Within minutes of meeting his little friend Mitch would name her Marlie and they went from strangers to soul mates almost instantly. Through her body language Marlie seemed to figure out quickly that Mitch was very, very sick. She seemed to know what we didn't know … couldn't know, at the time. Whenever she wobbled near my son she would lay softly next to him as if to comfort him. She almost never left his side.
This winter I will sit by my fireplace with my wife and other children with gratitude in my heart. They are all gifts to me and I treasure them. Although I am grateful for them, I will ever long for the warmth of my fallen son. And whenever I’m tempted to think the world as unforgiving and cold, when the fog of sorrow descends upon me and the pains of grief limit my view … I will remember this special delivery … this gift from a loving Heavenly & Earthly Father who worked together to bless the life of my son. And that warms my heart and soul.
During the time Mitchell was home under the care of hospice he received a lot of love and encouragement from strangers all across the world. There wasn't a continent or culture that didn't reach out to him in love and compassion. Mitchell was so humbled by that outpouring of love and concern and he read every letter, email and Facebook message that was sent to him. All the while he kept telling me, “I don’t understand, I’m just an ordinary kid.”
The day after Mitchell passed away we received an envelope in the mail with the return address “mystry helper #910”. Inside this envelope was a tattered $1 bill and a torn piece of paper that read: “Chris & Natalie, $ is for Mitch’s medicine. Sorry if it does not help. :(” When my wife and I read that humble note written by tiny, concerned hands we both sat on the floor and wept … and wept. What this young child didn't know … couldn't know … was the impact that gesture of love would have on us. It wasn't the money – it was the heart … and so it is with everything.
Another young child named Samuel sent a package to Mitchell that had a Ziploc bag containing his very favorite Legos. By the look of them, it was clear he took those Legos from his own personal collection. They were choice Legos that would have been the envy of any boy and it was a clear sacrifice on that young child’s behalf. This package was also accompanied by a most thoughtful and touching letter by his parents.
Other wonderful children, feeling after our son wrote letters, drew pictures, and donated their allowance to help him. We were so humbled by the goodness of these little hands and big hearts. Each of these young children was remarkable in their capacity to love a stranger and to be so free with their substance so as to bless someone in need. I wish it were possible to list every person who wrote and loved Mitch … but we have saved everything … and slowly, we’re working on it. Not a letter, package or gesture of love toward our family went unnoticed or unappreciated. And, to every adult who reached out in love and support of our family, we are just as moved and grateful. Thank you.
Mystery Helper #910, Samuel, and everyone who raised their hands and hearts to help little Mitch in any capacity, you are all simply amazing. I wish it were possible to meet each of you who reached out to my son and family … so I could look you in the eye, with tears in mine, and say thank you for your goodness, thank you for teaching me.
We hope to pay your goodness forward … and to make every day a day of thanks and a day of giving.