On Saturday October 21^st, 2006, my Uncle David Mitchell, suffered a massive heart attack and passed. 

Talk about a major shock, he had just turned 60, and had many years before him, a devoted father, loving brother, a beloved Uncle, dear friend and skilled craftsman,  he often times would amuse us girls with stories of when he was a member of the Ice Capades. He would chew the ear off each Japanese exchange student my parents would host, reminiscing about the days when he was over there skating, where he met the mother of my cousin Tiffany.

My uncle was a Mitchell through and through, he was full of laughter and stubborn, he loved each one of us deeply and he could spin a yarn that would make you think he had kissed the blarney stone.  It was always a delight to come home for the holidays to hear him telling stories about the past, things that my grandparents did, that my mother did, even things we did as children. 

Uncle David was extremely close to my mother, calling her every Sunday to read the comics with her, to discuss how his week had gone or was going.  Often times he would drop by just to chat.  I loved it when I would be home for a visit and he’d call… He’d greet me with his standard “hey kid, How’s your trip”.

Uncle David had an impish side that popped out in the most unlikely times, this week my mom went to a viewing and she said, He had this smile on his face as though he was trying to say “Welp! I did it my way!!”

Uncle David, you will be deeply missed not only by your daughter, but by your sister, brother, nieces, cousins and dear friends.

This poem sums up how my uncle lived his life…  

Skate as though no one is watching you.
Love as though you have never been hurt before.
Sing as though no one can hear you.
Live as though heaven is on earth.