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I’ve spent the last few years developing Mitchell’s Journey hope kits with the goal of helping those who struggle. Today I received the first part in an assembly line of inspiration and tools. In about 4-5 weeks we’ll begin shipping these to DMD families - and with the support of more donors, I’d like to send these kits to anyone who is looking for a little light during dark times. This is just the beginning of a much bigger effort to help people make sense of struggle, find glimmers of hope, and observe their lives (however dark things may seem at the moment) surrounded in points of light. I’ll post more as the other parts of this kit arrive.
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Special thanks to @ptctherapeutics for giving our foundation a grant to help this project launch and serve the DMD community. We’re also grateful for @agcutah for a donation to support this project’s mission to serve the greater good. #mitchellsjourney

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For those who don’t know, Mitchell’s dog Marlie, whom he received only a few weeks before he passed away, has been a tender blessing to our our son during his last few weeks. I’ll never forget how she comforted him the day/night he passed away. I’ll share a post about that tender exchange soon.

Ever since Mitch passed away, Marlie has been a curious comfort to us. About a week ago, just a few days before Christmas, she had her first set of puppies. These little pups have grown so much in the last week. Mitch would be thrilled to see his little grand doggies.

Our family continues to heal - every person in their own way, and on their own sacred time. Marlie has become something of an echo of Mitchell’s love and affection. Though a dog is not the same as a son, Marlie occupies a healing place in our hearts.

These little pups are tiny tender mercies and we are so grateful for them. We’ll only have them for the next few weeks, until we find a loving home for them. I share this photo from tonight to gladden a trembling soul or lift a heavy heart.

May 2020 be kind to us all, and may we find healing in tiny tender mercies, wherever we find them. 🙏🏼

Dear Mitch,

This time of year brings you back to me … in ways I can’t explain.

For you, the holidays were always magic. Sure, you loved Santa and things, but you treasured the magic of family and being together more – it's ironic that the gift you treasured most was the very gift you gave to others.

I find it interesting that your favorite time of year was always the darkest and coldest. There’s some beauty to that – for it is only in the dark of night that we learn to appreciate light and warmth.

My son, if you could see what your light has done to lift and serve others. Your life has inspired many to show up with their art, strangers who saw your story and combined their compassion with their passions and shared beautiful stories, strangers who are now friends remember your life and loss and honor it with theirs. If anything, you have shown me anew that the human family is one family.

All over the world, people are making changes for the better.

And they take that light, that spark of meaning and purpose, and become a light to others. Whether they’re serving friends, family or complete strangers … they are lights.

Though you were small in stature, the impact you continue to make is no small thing.

When I look back, I can see so many points of light. So many blessings, big and small. They were as real and miraculous as anything I know. The timing of your life and everything that happened in it was a miracle. You are, sweet boy, like all of us, woven in a tapestry of light.

I don’t get to hold you anymore, but I can hold you in my heart. That is all we can do when we lose the one we love. You are the wind in my face and the lift to my soul.

I treasure my memories with you.

Some of my memories are hard – and I hang on to them, too. I don't shut them out because they remind me how fragile life is – and the need to make the most of the time we have. For one day, we will all die and go to that place beyond the hills.

When I lost you, we were surrounded in darkness. But as I allowed my spiritual eyes to adjust, I saw there was more, much more, happening behind the veil of darkness.

Were we to see through the window of life and peer beyond, I think we’d be awestruck by how much light surrounds us.

We’d be breathless to know we have not, and never will be, alone.

But for reasons we don’t yet know, that door is shut and we must learn to see through the eyes of faith.

I cannot see what’s over there … but I can see what is right here. And I believe. I believe in the goodness of the human family. I believe we’re inspired to love and serve … to make the world a better place in any way we can … in every way we know to do.

I miss you. And though I don’t get to make new memories with you, I can make new memories because of you. I’m learning to live without you – and it’s hard sometimes. But each day I’m getting stronger.

Each day I’m inspired by others, who serve because of you.

I’m not afraid of the dark anymore. Instead, I look upward and search for light. And I see it everywhere.

Well, this is dad, sighing off, for now. Thank you. Thank you for being my son. My teacher. My light.

This holiday, I’ll remember that no matter how difficult life can seem at times, there are blessings along the way. I will look for them because I know, I just know, they show the way.

Love,

Dad

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One of Mitchell’s all-time-favorite treats was hot chocolate.  When it snowed around the holidays, he always asked if I’d make my ‘famous hot chocolate’.  At least he thought it was famous.  With a warm cup in hand, he’d sit by the window and watch the snow fall and enjoy his warm treat.  Our family has many good memories making hot chocolate.  I’ve shared this a few years ago but want to share it again for those who may have missed it.

There’s nothing original about this recipe; in fact, I’m sure Pinterest is filled with a hundred thousand variations.  But this was our simple recipe and it was something Mitch loved and some of you might like it, too.

1. Warm milk to a boil over the stove.

2. Add chocolate shavings (Mitch really liked Lindt Milk Chocolate)
   He would often take candy bars and use a cheese grater to make the shavings

3. Generally, 3 ounces of chocolate for every 2 cups of milk works well.

4. Slowly stir chocolate shavings into simmering milk and whisk until completely dissolved

5. Add chocolate to preferred taste

6. Whipped cream, with a puff of cinnamon and sprinkled graham cracker crumbs on top always made it feel extra special.  Sometimes Mitch even wanted crushed candy cane on top. 

As with so many things in life, what we do is often less important in life than how we do it.   Having hot chocolate was fun but making it together as a family made both a treat and a memory.  And memories are sweeter and last much longer.

With the holidays around the corner, I’m reminded that while we might give each other gifts this season… love, time and attention are some of the greatest gifts we can give each other.