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Thanks for visiting! This section is intended to leave a note for us during this trying time. If you feel the need to lecture our family, please come find me directly. I would like to visit with you face to face. Respectfully - John

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	Robinwrote: You are in my thoughts and prayers for a blessed Thanksgiving, with peace, comfort and happy moments. I have been following your site for quite some time and have been inspired, awestruck, humbled and pained by the journey that your family was forced to take. I have not written to you, as I have felt that there was little that I might add that could compare with the emotion, knowledge and experience that you have shared with all of us. The solid faith of your family has been amazing and inspiring. God is good, even in the middle of something horrific. Thank you for sharing your life with us. God bless each of you today, and always. Robin Harris 3 days ago
	No namewrote: Thinking of you today. You are in my prayers. heather 27 Sept.
	Eternal Optimistwrote: Hello Team Whitaker, Our thoughts and prayers have been with you especially over the past week, during Mother's Day and Mitch's birthday on Friday. I wish we could have been at the game, it sounded like it would truly be night to remember. Even though our paths don't physically cross very often (sometimes I can't believe how seldom we run into each other being next door neighbors!!), know that you and Mitchell are ALWAYS close at heart. Tracy, I miss those Saturday mornings more than I ever thought I would! Thinking of you all, and special thoughts of Mitchell celebrating his birthday in heaven. Love, Amy & Nick 18 May
	Jwrote: We are friends of Mike and Vicki's in Dallas. Just wanted you to know we made Mitch's favorite Chicken Spagetti from your cookbook last night. It was great! I see why he liked it so much! We told our kids all about Mitch as we ate it. I am sure that it wasn't as good as his Grandma makes it, but just wanted to you he is our thoughts in Dallas this week! Although we have never met, I still read your blog and think of your inspirational story often. Thank you for all that you do and for sharing your story. It effects more people in a postive way than you will ever know! Thank you, Jeanne Rozas 17 Apr.
	Meiwrote: Keep fighting! Those words are such an inspiration to me. Last year I did my first event for the LLS in honor of a past participant - my friend who could not participate because she was serving in the army in the Middle East. As I learned more about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I was so touched by the patients and families involved. Your courage is so inspiring. As Tracy spoke at Cafe Nova last week, I knew that I would have to "keep fighting" and will be training for another LLS event. I saw Mitch's picture at Chik-filet. It brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing little man! 14 Apr.
	No namewrote: Hey Tracy, It was nice to see you last Friday...tough circumstances but great to see you. I would have loved to sit down and chat for a while. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy this blog. Sometimes I can get caught up in the routine of life and just parent on "autopilot" but looking at your site reminds me how precious my time is with my children and challenges me to "engage". I really admire the way you have handled this difficult time in your life. You have been so authentic yet continue to glorify Christ with your actions of kindness and grace. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for sharing and being such an inspiration!! heather 10 Mar.
	Alycia Finkbeinerwrote: John, Tracy, and Meredith, I still check on you and think of you often. May God continue to bless you! Love, Alycia Finkbeiner 24 Feb.
	Elizabeth Moorewrote: You dont know me but my best friend Emma Martz knows you and she told me all about your son and his story is truly inspiring. 22 Jan.
	No namewrote: John and Tracy, We are starting our Pasta for Patients campaign next week. I would like to ask your permission to use Mitchell's picture in my classroom during our fundraiser. This year my 4th hour would like to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Mitchell and in honor of my friend Casey. Casey teaches at Brink with me and has recently been diagnosed with lymphoma. You can email me at ashleyrice@mooreschools.com. 21 Jan.
	karenwrote: hey john and tracy, it's been a long time no talk. i was in john's class in college. tracy, i'm sorry that i never got to know you well as from what i have been reading you are a super, amazing person. your story has touched me so much. although my story is NO COMPARISON i have been sad recently due to the death of my 90 year old grandmother. she lived with me and i took care of her. i was holding her hand when she passed at ten after midnight last may. she lived a long full life and was ready to go. as sad as i have been your story has been a reality check. she had a long, fullfilling life and was ready to go. when i told my 4 year old that me-ma had gone to live in heaven and didn't have bo-bo's anymore and could walk, dance and even climb in his tree house, he responded with "oh my that is so cool, i bet me-ma is so happy to be in heaven." his innocence made me remember that anytime we are assured that a loved one is with jesus it is indeed a "cool thing". theirs is a life without pain or suffering and full of perfect happiness everyday. one month after she passed i moved out of my house and into a beautiful home overlooking a mississippi bayou that sits directly next to a cemetary that is over 200 years old. it is beautiful, with huge magnolia trees and hanging moss. it is the highest point in the city so it was barely touched by hurricane katrina. i have recently started running in this graveyard as it has several winding roads going through it. some of my friends consider it creepy but it gives me a sence of closeness to my precious me-ma. after reading tracy's blogs i will push myself even harder now and add talks to mitchell after i talk with me-ma. you are both inspirations to me now. whenver i get to feeling down i will try to redirect my thinking and send prayers your way. may the new year bring your family comfort and peace . karen rutland reeves 26 Dec.
	No namewrote: John and Tracy, A very dear friend of mine that I work with has recently been diagnosed with Lymphoma. She is 27 years old, newly married, and getting ready to move into a brand new home. Of course, we are praying for her ceaselessly. We, her friends, are at such a loss because we don't know exactly what to do for her. She comes to work with a smile on her face and has such a great attitude despite all she is facing. Here is where she is right now: bone marrow testing tomorrow (12-23-08), decisions regarding fertility and the preserving of embryos, and chemo starting the 2nd week in January. You are such prayer warriors, so I know in my heart you will lift her up. I have shared with her the website for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and, during our Pasta for Patients this year, my classes will be remembering Mitchell and honoring Casey. Thank you for all you do for this cause. It's because of people like you that Casey has a fighting chance in her own battle. Ashley Rice 22 Dec.
	Timothywrote: Hi Whitakers, This is Annie Duggan, Meredith's orchestra teacher! I just wanted you to know that I am thinking and praying for you! You are such an inspiration! Thank you for making an impact on my life with your inspirational words! PS... I LOVE having Meredith in class. I think the cello was the right choice for her! I hope she gives you a concert over the break! 22 Dec.
	monica elginwrote: Tracy this is monica jarreds mom. havent been on in awhile but the first christmas is very hard and i am praying for you and your family this year. Again thank you for your plant you sent. Our family is working threw it. jarreds sister is getting married this sat and it is a very sad time without her brother. i hope your family has a great holiday. The lord is so gracious and even when we dont see his footprints that is when he is carrying us. iam so glad that we have him to lean on. God Bless. 16 Dec.
	Billiewrote: Dear Tracy, Since our God is sovereign, I know my meeting you at Sam's yesterday is not by chance. First - let me say how sorry I am for your loss. When I left, I prayed that you would have the joy of seening your precious son again. I was so thankful to read your site and find that you do have a real faith, and that you will have the blessing of spending eternity with your son. A perfect eternity where there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more illness and no more death. I can tell by your comments that you know I do not say these words lightly, but because they are true. Continue to gain your strength from God's precious, Holy Word. As I mentioned, my dear friend Kim Spady's son, Caleb, has a terminal brain tumor, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. Caleb will be 11 on Jan 7. She and her husband, Ken, have experienced much of your pain, and barring a miracle, they will experience it to the fullest. Even though my family has and will feel the pain as well (our 3 boys and their 4 are all great friends), I know it does not compare to theirs. Thank you for sharing from your heart. You will help me as I travel this journey with my friend. Billie Hamilton 9 Dec.
	No namewrote: Dear Whitaker Family, You do not know me, but I have been meaning to contact you since Oct. 19, 2008. It was on that day that I ran the Nike Woman's Marathon and Half Marathon in San Fran, CA. The night before the race, I was looking through a packet of Inspirational Stories that Team in Training had given me. I came across you son's story and the words you wrote about him. The next day during the race when I did reach that point where it was becoming somewhat difficult, your son's words came to me loud and clear. "KEEP FIGHTING"..."KEEP FIGHTING"..."KEEP FIGHTING". I thought of your family's story and all the other patients and friends I was running for. But your little angel was with me. For it was his wings along with the other lost souls that carried me through this race to FINISH STRONG. I will continue to run one mile at a timeas long as I am able and KEEP FIGHTING. God Bless you, thank you for sharing Mitchell with us. Theoni Limouris 6 Dec.
	Amy & Nick wrote: Dear Tracy, John, & Meredith, Thoughts and prayers for you were very much on our hearts this Thanksgiving. We are thankful to have you as neighbors and thankful that we knew Mitchell. You have all touched our lives and always remind us of God's goodness and the amazing power of faith. May His comfort and grace be with you every moment, especially during this holy season. Much love, Amy & Nick 28 Nov.
	Scottwrote: I came across this site through a link posted on The Sporting News website. The message was titled "My 10 year old friend Mitch laid to rest" was on the subject line with a link posted to this site. I thought, I should see this site as a tribute to a boy who obviously left a big footprint on many hearts. As a relatively new father of a 17 month old boy at the young age of 38 yrs old, I find my heart breaking for a family and community that I have never seen or met. The pain of losing a child at such a young age is truly a tragedy, and one quite honestly, I pray I never have to endure. I am relieved to hear of your strong faith and reliance on God for peace and comfort because I just don't think you could gain it in a time like this from anywhere else. Take heart that your son has affected many in the short time he was on earth, a legacy and influence which moves friends to pay tribute to him on web sites, even as unimportant as a sports site. I will pray for you tonight and in the weeks to come, I pray for a peace that trancends all understanding, a peace that only comes from God. He is the Great Physician, not only of physical ailments but more importantly, a healer of the heart. I pray he heals your hearts. I think, God must certainly be shedding a tear for your family because he also once lost a Son. "May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, may He give you His peace" In Christian Love, Scott 15 Oct.
	Reesewrote: I am praying for your beautiful family tonight! 8 Oct.
	Bonniewrote: tracy, thank you for sharing all you have here. i remember once thinking 'time doesn't heal all wounds. time just makes us forget what it was like to live without this wound.' not one of my more positive thoughts, i know. i am sharing that thought with you now in an attempt to let you know you're not alone though. i wish i could somehow say something helpful (or... clever ... or tenderhearted... or spiritual) enough to make you briefly feel encouraged. know that at least i am reading your blog and i'm on the journey with you, although we are strangers. 6 Oct.
	No namewrote: Tracy- I wanted to tell you that the Barnes Elementary 5th graders were at Camp Classen last September when we received the news that Mitchell was not going to make it. Teachers and parents who know and LOVE Martha all gathered together in tears and prayer and lifted Mitch and your whole family up. Our hearts were heavy and because of that news we cherished each moment with our 10 year olds even more than usual. Mitch was at the forefront our our minds as we enjoyed all of the activities. Please know that we are all still praying for you and your whole family. Everyday we think of you and say a prayer for peace and comfort. Thank-you for sharing your blogs with us. They make us better parents...better people. Christi Bradshaw 5 Oct.
	Jen wrote: Hey guys! 101 comments for Steph = $101! Let's keep the momentum going on the Web. This blogger who read my blog offered to post a story about Mitch's favorite children's book. She blogs every Tuesday about children's books. Her blog is http://avtcoach.blogspot.com/. I'll give a $1 for every comment on that post up to 149. We gotta get to 250. This is about Mitch's story and awareness! You can leave a note on her blog about his favorite book. I know it will be a meaningful post, and this will just lead to more awareness. Love to you all. We never forget. (She's an Oklahoma blogger. I think she might be a pastor's wife. I can't remember!) 4 Oct.
	SHARONwrote: DEAREST WHITAKER FAMILY, JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. JERRY & I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR GOD'S PEACE AND COMFORT TO FALL ON ALL OF YOU SINCE MITCHELL WENT TO BE WITH JESUS. MITCHELL'S PICTURE HANGS ON THE BACK WALL OF MY COMPUTER DESK SO I CAN SEE HIM EVERY DAY. YOUR MOM SAID YOU'LL BE COMING TO NEBR. SOON, WE CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE YOU. ALL OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS, JERRY & SHARON ELLISON 29 Sept.
	No namewrote: Hi Team Whitaker! I am up tonight, and The Lord has laid your family so directly on my heart, it's unmistakable. I don't know you very well, but I got to know Mitch a little bit through volunteering at BFC in the Children's Ministry Department. What a terrific kid! I can't imagine how you must miss him. I don't really know what to say, just that I am up praying for you this very minute. I hope it's comforting for you to know that God cares for you so much, enough to wake brothers and sisters to pray for you as you are hurting. Grace and Peace, Angela Frazier 29 Sept.
	Amy & Nick wrote: Dear Team Whitaker, You have been in our hearts and in our every prayer today. We pray that God bring you peace and comfort and also give Him thanks that He saw fit that our paths in life should cross. Know tonight that you are literally surrounded with love. We are so lucky to have known such a special person as your Mitchell. love Amy & Nick 28 Sept.
	No namewrote: Many prayers are covering you today. Ashley Rice 27 Sept.

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