AN EVENING WITH ARCHIE & THE BOYS

Tonight Natalie and I spent time with Paula, Padriac, Archie, George, and Isaac. These three boys have DMD, just like Mitch. This family was so gracious to have us over for dinner, and we enjoyed their company a great deal.

Watching the two younger boys wrestle around the floor and walk on their tippy toes reminded us of our sweet Mitch. Archie, the eldest brother, was smart and insightful. We loved talking to him.

The younger boys asked if Natalie could read a bedtime story, which she did. I think this was the highlight of the trip for my sweet wife. It reminded her of reading stories to sweet Mitch, and it warmed her heart. The boys sat attentively in their bed as Natalie read a children's book we wrote about Mitch called "The Thing About Giving." It's a story of Mitchell getting his puppy and what happens when we give: both the giver and the receiver are blessed.

We have one more day here, and honestly, we don't want to go quite yet. So many other families we want to love. So many stories we want to hear. So many heavy hearts we want to lift and hug.