Said goodbye to a precious friend this week. I cannot imagine anyone that has impacted my life more than Mr. Gayle Mitchell did. From the first time we met 18 years ago to today, he was a friend, mentor, father figure, stand in grandfather for my kids, traveling companion,chauffeur, and a million other things to me and to my family. His wife is one of the Godliest women I have ever met, and together they have brought more souls to the kingdom than any other couple I personally know. They have invested in the kids of Hempstead through "Kingdom Kids", "Children's Choice Daycare" and later through Jubilee Ranch. They have been true ministers of the gospel- God's hands and feet in their town. He will be missed by so many...
I went to the doctor's appointment with Mr. Mitchell, Mrs. Jan and his daughter Ann in the fall of 2013 when he was diagnosed. The oncologist said that even with treatment, his life expectancy was 3-10 weeks...that didn't give him enough time to get to Christmas. It was such a sad day. Very matter of fact, "this is pancreatic cancer and this is how it goes", and the doctor was very sympathetic. We left in a bit of shock. I went with Mrs. Jan to the store to get a notebook so that she could keep up with his treatments, times for medications, etc... We thought we didn't have much time at all. At the same time, people began to pray. Prayer chains that spanned the whole country were activated. People prayed for his comfort, for more time, and for a miraculous healing. He began chemo and God began his own treatments on the cancer growing in Mr. Mitchell's body. For many weeks, he attended chemo and doctor's appointments. He had scans and tests, he had blood work and he lost weight. He began to look very different and it was a little confusing. While we expected him to begin to wither away, he actually got healthier. While the doctors did more scans looking for the cancer to spread to other organs, they actually showed the tumors getting smaller. He did have bad days, he did require a hospital stay or two, and he did struggle with some side effects from the chemo. It wasn't an overnight kind of thing, but he got better instead of worse. After several months, the doctor just shook his head and said something like "We have no idea why you are still here- just keep doing what you are doing!". God was giving Mr. Mitchell more time...
That time was not wasted in any way. Each week, new things were being done at their ranch. An in-ground pool was put in for campers to enjoy. The kitchen had a cook's cabin added. A new art studio was put in. Legal matters were attended to and things were put in place so that Mrs. Jan would be in good shape whenever the day did come when Mr. Mitchell was gone. All in all, many people worked faithfully for months to give Mr. Mitchell the peace of knowing that Jubilee Ranch was going to continue on as his legacy when he was gone.
We saw him in the hospital two weeks before he died. He was in pain. He was sicker than he had been before. His liver was failing. His time was short. He went home on hospice and the countdown began. He was moved to the living room in a hospital bed so that he could be a part of what was going on as long as he could. Kyle and I went to visit with him one evening about a week before he died. We talked about trips we had taken together. We talked about our kids, which he and Mrs. Jan had such a big part in raising with us. We laughed about funny times and we discussed details of things that Mr. Mitchell needed taken care of. We asked if there was anything else that we could do for him so that he wouldn't worry. His response will stay with me..."I am not worried about anything at all". He had complete faith and confidence in his relationship with Christ. He didn't have a care in the world...he knew his reward was soon at hand. As we left, I stood up and kissed him on the head. "I love you so very much" I told him. We didn't use those words too often, as they were understood. I felt completely comfortable telling him this, though. I knew they were the last words I would say to him and I wanted to have no regrets of words unspoken. Kyle stayed inside for just a few more minutes to talk with Mr.s Jan, but I walked out. I had to. I got in my car and sobbed. I cried for the loss of this precious man. I cried for the memories of his kindness and example. I cried for Mrs. Jan and the loss of her best friend in the world. When Kyle got into the car, I didn't stop crying right away. I didn't have to- he totally understood. We talked a little bit and remembered sweet things about the many, many things the Mitchell's had done for us over the years. It was a quiet ride, full of lots of tears wiped away and sniffling. After 31 years together, it is so nice to know that Kyle and I can be 100% real in front of each other.
Mr. Mitchell lived another week and I saw him once more. Kyle saw him almost daily. He was surrounded by family and friends and felt the love and support of each one of them. On the morning he died, Mrs. Jan was right by his side. She showed strength through this that amazed me. She is truly an incredible woman...Gayle was always proud of her and would be to this day. The memorial service was Friday. So many wonderful friends and family members gathered together to celebrate the life of Mr. Mitchell. Kyle spoke with such love and admiration for this man that molded him more than anyone may have known. I said that the service was a celebration of a life well lived...and it was. I sure miss you Mr. Mitchell. You were one of my best friends. I cannot wait to see you again someday. It was a honor to be a part of your life.
