I have thought about what I was doing on this day......all day today. LOL! I can't say it any better than when I typed this sitting next to Mitchell 3 years ago. I had his headphones on him playing U2 while I listened to the same playlist on my own iPod. Keep fighting.
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9/26/2007
Day 23.........Peace and Patience
Dear Team Whitaker....... I address this a little differently today since each of you is a vital part of our team. Your words of encouragement, prayers, and support are inspiring and humbling. Team Whitaker is blessed indeed. You.........the Body.........are doing the Kingdom proud. We love you all.
Better pull up a chair............today's entry may take awhile........LOL
How is Mitch?
Well, Mitch isn't here........but isn't in Heaven yet either........I think. His body is still here but sweet Mitchell is visiting with the Lord right now. He just looks like an angel sleeping in our room.....albeit an angel with a slight rasp in his throat :).........and he just continues to hang here for a bit. He isn't in the least bit of pain and is totally at peace. I must say that our hearts continue to groan and anguish over our precious son......God has certainly been merciful and having him with us in this state, while difficult, is so much better than the pain that he was enduring even 2 days ago. We have made, as Tracy so eloquently alluded to yesterday, many decisions for Mitchell throughout his life. At this point, as his physical presence rests on every little rise and fall of the chest...........we are going to let him "leave" us on his terms. I spend a whole life time teaching him how to fight, finish what he starts, never quit, and go full speed.........so I will let him decide when it is time to "lay his armor down".
Mitchell is a very linear......logical.....slightly OC......bright and inquisitive boy. He just does not forget things.......at times to the amazement of his mother and I.......and REQUIRES some type of schedule in order the his world to rotate on axis correctly!
In light of the boy that I know he is.........and the fact the God made him that way..........I just have to laugh as I picture the exchange that has been going since about 1am yesterday morning:
Mitch: Hi......God is that you? My dad told me "run to the light" while I was in the hospital and that you would be waiting.
God: Hey Mitch.......how are you my son? It is great to see you......I have a place prepared for you up here.......you are gonna love it"
Mitch: Cool.........my dad told me it would be great. Hey, I have a few questions that I would like answered first........is that Ok?
God: Fire away........I got eternity, bro......so I will answer them all until you are comfy.
Mitch: What is eternity? How does the schedule work.......you know just so I know what is up.........and when we finish that one I would like to know how the weather works up here and on Earth.........what is the temperature up here anyway.......are you in the middle of an upper level low pressure system.........do you get the weather channel up here..........is there cable........can i have video games...........is that really warm feeling that i have inside me the love that i have in my heart for you now being set free in your presence..........where is my grandpa perman........i would like to know where the baseball fields are..........do we get uniforms...........you know that my dad sez there is no place in baseball for white cleats --- so you might want to change up the angels "look" over there........ok, so if eternity means that we never run out of time --- how does that work with scheduling stuff...........why did i have to come up here so soon and what were you thinking when you picked me.........my dad said that you love me more than he ever could - tell me about that........where is jesus at..........when are mom, dad, & meredith getting here? I have got some more.......but those were on the top of my mind.
God: Ok.........let me explain My love and eternity.........because you will love the answer........hey Mitch........no need to take notes, pardna........no there isn't a test up here because you already passed it down there!
Folks - you might chuckle at that example........but I know that is happening as we speak........in very precious tender moments between my son and his Heavenly Father........as his earthly father cries with a smile. In short, Mitchell is well..........for now and eternity.
How are we?
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I WILL strengthen you. I WILL help you. I WILL uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
We hurt more than words can express.........but we are certainly in the midst of a peace that passes understanding. I won't write for Tracy since she can do that herself. As a father, it is very difficult to let go of all the dreams, hopes, and days that you planned on sharing with him in this life. He and I have a relationship that is very deep. Many of the trials Mitchell faced during his time here forced him to grow up pretty quick.........but that also allowed the two of us to bond in a very special way. There is a Mitchell sized hole in me that will take awhile to fill.......but God's Grace is sufficient........and He understands my pain..........and will heal it. I had many dreams for my son........the foremost among those is that he would grow become a Godly man of influence. And though it hurts to let the others dreams go.........I am so proud that he got the most important thing right. Well done, my son. I love you.
How are you?
So many of you dear friends have sent notes, made phone calls, stopped by to visit to express your love, care, and concern for us...........that I just wanted to take a moment to check on you. Team Whitaker is well. God is good.
Question for you all:
Why does it take something like this........that shocks us to our core and makes us ache and yearn.......for us to truly evaluate our life and how we spend our time!?! Do not let the passing of this boy shake you..........God has a plan.
A perfect plan that is beyond our understanding. Mitchell's life is a testament to Christ and should affirm your Faith........or shake you to question why you don't have a daily walk with Him. This life only makes sense in the presence of the Almighty and the framework which he provides. Your circumstances can change on a heartbeat.......as our story illustrates........but God does not change. He is always good. He is always love. He is always just. He is always there. The kindness that you have shown to us........do that for others........when times are good and when the chips are down. That is what being Salt and Light is all about.
This life is nothing more than a set of opportunities that we are provided in order to influence others for good......or bad.
The true measure of your life is rooted in the relationship that you have with Christ..........and how you let that (vertical) relationship shine among (horizontally) those you come in contact with on a daily basis.
Maybe it is time that we all ask ourselves: How ya livin'?
We love you all....john
gomitchgo
Posted on
Sun, September 26, 2010
by John Whitaker