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Remembering Young LEGO-fan Mitchell Jones

(Written by Taylor of minifigME.com)

On March 2nd the LEGO community lost one-of-their-own. A talented and creative 10-year-old boy who was much loved by his family and by thousands of “unknown” friends around the world as they followed his journey on Facebook. Mitchell Jones, who was also a huge LEGO fan, passed away early Saturday morning in his family home. He had been surrounded by the extreme love that only a family like Mitch’s can bring, and was forced to leave much too soon.

Remembering LEGO Fan Mitchell Jones

I never met Mitch in person but was honored to have the opportunity to “meet” his family using the medium of LEGO. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Lyle, one of his close family friends who had come across my website and wanted to minifigME Mitch’s entire family. (UPDATE: minifigME.com is no longer in service.)

LEGO Fan Mitchell Jones Immersed in Building a New LEGO Set

While we were gathering their pictures so that we could put each of their faces on a minifigure (his Mom, Dad, siblings and his Aunt Sonya), and learning about their interests in order to more fully capture their personalities, we were told that Mitch had Muscular Dystrophy and because of a complication with his heart was only expected to live a very short time.

LEGO Fan Mitchell Jones Carefully Working on a LEGO Set

We have a son who’s nearly the same age as Mitch, who has also faced an arduous set of medical challenges, so Mitch’s journey touched our family in a very deep way. We rushed to get Mitch his minifigME figures in time and were extremely thankful to find that he received them before he had to go. We shed tears as we later saw on Facebook the smile that lit up his face as he opened his special gift, and we felt truly humbled by the experience.

LEGO Fan Mitchell Jones Opening His MinifigME Package

Mitch and his family knew what was happening and they valued every single day, every special – and even every ordinary – moment that they had together. I believe we should all aspire to do the same with our children and with each other. Every time we get a chance to play a game, build a LEGO set or even run an errand with our kids I think it would be an incredible tribute to Mitch to notice – even if just for an instant – how fortunate we are to have that moment together.

LEGO Fan Mitchell Jones with The LEGO Book

I believe Mitch is now at peace and I know from following Mitchell’s Journey on Facebook that his family is painfully facing the nearly unbearable task of grieving for their child with the same love, bravery and grace that they demonstrated throughout Mitchell’s illness. We wish for them moments of peace and that they can be uplifted by thoughts sent by the entire world, as well as the LEGO community, during their time of sorrow.

LEGO Fan Mitchell Jones Always Loved to Build

Mitch, like most of you reading this, loved building with LEGO. His Dad wrote in his journal, “It is a tender thing to see how softly he picks his LEGO up. He is so feeble and his hands hurt from the IV but he presses on with determination… as weak as he is … he insists on building with LEGO. He loves following instructions and seeing a desired outcome. When he was healthier he built with LEGO a lot. Sometimes his mom or aunt would help him. Mitch was always saving his money to buy another big LEGO set.”

Mitchell Jones Working on a New LEGO Set

But as Mitchell’s time grew short and body weakened it became much harder for him to build with LEGO and this saddened him deeply. We hope there are LEGO bricks in your next phase of existence, Mitchell, and that you are now completely freed up to PLAY ON!!! Your journey touched and inspired so many lives… and the world will miss you…

Remembering Mitchell Jones

I wanted to share Mitchell’s story with you as he touched our family so much and I believe he will touch you too. If you would like to learn more about Mitchell, you can follow his journey at Mitchell’s Journey on Facebook. Thank you for reading and giving me this opportunity to share.

{ 53 comments… add one }
  • The Yellow Ninja March 11, 2013, 10:20 AM

    That is so touching and yet so sad 😥

  • Jay-MOL March 11, 2013, 11:12 AM

    So sad 🙁 he sure did love Legos 🙂 🙁

  • Jay-MOL March 11, 2013, 11:12 AM

    He was so young! What kind of sickness did he have? 🙁

    • Håkan March 11, 2013, 7:26 PM

      Muscular Dystrophy. It’s mentioned in the article. Sad.

      • tammy March 12, 2013, 5:07 PM

        specifically:
        Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, a catastrophic muscle wasting disease which results in progressive muscle deterioration and is fatal by late teens/early twenties.

        • Legoman640 March 12, 2013, 9:14 PM

          So sad. 😥

    • MamoKris March 12, 2013, 5:02 PM

      He had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

      • Karin March 12, 2013, 5:57 PM

        If you want to help people with Duchenne, including Mitchell, my son Joey, and thousands more around the world; please visit parentprojectmd.org for more information.

  • Steven March 11, 2013, 11:49 AM

    What a brave young man, I so admire his courage and strength throughout his short life. All the best to his Family and friends.

  • Strider March 11, 2013, 12:01 PM

    So sad…Not sure what else to say. From the pictures it seems like he’s a nice guy. He’s building Bag End in one of the pictures, I got it too and it’s a great set 🙂

    • Strider March 11, 2013, 12:03 PM

      I didn’t mean that comment to sound rude.

      • Missy March 12, 2013, 5:06 PM

        It doesn’t sound rude 🙂

  • nicster2000 March 11, 2013, 12:12 PM

    This is a tragic blow to the Lego fan industry! No person,especially as young as Mitchell,should ever have to experience such a tragedy. My regards go out to his family, and at least he was able to enjoy Lego,life and a Lego life while he could 🙁

  • Maxx March 11, 2013, 12:17 PM

    Thanks for sharing, I have a daughter nearly his age and I could not bare to mis her (even though she can be a pain in the butt sometimes:D).

    Glad he had something he enjoyed before he had to go:)

  • legostuff71 March 11, 2013, 12:17 PM

    So sad and yet I would like to beleive that LEGO helped Mitchell through the difficult days and that it kept his mind off of his illness. God bless Mitchell and all the other children that have lost or are still fight through difficult illness.( Ihad heart surgery when I was five yrs old.So, I under stand being sick as a child.)

    • Legoman640 March 12, 2013, 9:16 PM

      So do I. I still have asthma.

  • Eric at a LEGO a Day March 11, 2013, 1:08 PM

    So very tragic. My thoughts are with this little boy, and his family. I hope they find peace and comfort in his memory.

  • ninja of awesomeness March 11, 2013, 1:08 PM

    i don’t know i would feel if i lost a family member that i loved and cared for (because i’m not a perent in a KFOL) that’s really sad 🙁 if the parents are reading this i’m very sory for the loss they have. 🙁 🙁

  • Coz March 11, 2013, 3:44 PM

    Very sad when they leave too early. It is just Wrong for a parent to have say “bye” to their own offspring. Sweet Journey young one and may it be fill hope, love, and lego building. 🙁 You must always swallow every single moment. *I am a parent, I freak reading these.*

    • Karin March 12, 2013, 5:58 PM

      If you want to help people with Duchenne, including Mitchell, my son Joey, and thousands more around the world; please visit parentprojectmd.org for more information.

  • CD's Lego Blog March 11, 2013, 5:50 PM

    This is just so sad! The kid looked just so happy with his Lego. I hope he will rest in peace and as you said I hope where he is right now he can do what he likes best. Probably one of the most tuching stories on this blog yet.

  • Carolyn Stewart March 12, 2013, 11:36 AM

    MITCHELL loved to build legos, my son also loved legos too. Duchennes is horrible and i hope there is a cure, may be there is some way legos can donate legos to some of the Muscular Dystrophy clinics in honor of the boys who passed from this. GOD BLESS!

    • Håkan March 12, 2013, 12:59 PM

      What’s Duchennes? A disease?

    • Jenn March 12, 2013, 4:44 PM

      Carolyn-how do think we could make that happen? I would love to put something together for the clinics in honor of Mitchell.

      • Carolyn Stewart March 13, 2013, 3:23 PM

        Jenn i have been sitting here trying to think of way to make it happen, my son Emmanuel passed away from Duchennes he was 16 years old on September 26, 2012 and he loved legos and Transformers he has some not even opened yet, but i know when some of the children go to the clinics there is not alot to do. I would love to do that, in honor of all that have passed from this, and thanks to Mitchell and his family . I live in new jersey.
        Carolyn

      • Carolyn Stewart March 13, 2013, 3:42 PM

        I would love too my son also passed from Duchennes on September 26, 2012 he loved legos. I have been brainstorming all night. I live in New Jersey.

        Carolyn

  • Frank March 12, 2013, 2:00 PM

    Aw. So sad but touching at the same time.
    Hope his family the best.

  • Sharon March 12, 2013, 4:43 PM

    I have been following Mitchel’s journey for a while and was heartbroken when I heard the news of his passing. My own son, aged 3 also has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. A cure for this dreadful disease is in sight but the charities desperately need funds as they receive no government help. We are trying to do our bit by running auctions through a facebook site. https://www.facebook.com/DMDCharityAuctions

  • Joe Maynard March 12, 2013, 4:47 PM

    It was a tragic loss, my son also has DMD and also loves Legos, with this disease the boys like to put themselves in an imaginary world where they can jump and run without difficulty. I think the Legos help them with that!

  • Ansh March 12, 2013, 4:52 PM

    I have been following Mitch’s journey for sometime. Even though it broke my heart every single time I read an update from the family, I somehow became stronger after crying those tears for a little boy I had never met. The grace and strength displayed by his family is something we all could soak ourselves in and the grace and love with which they let him go is heroic.

    I blessed you a million times when I saw the post from his family on receiving the figurines from you. Blessings to you. And Mitchell’s family.

  • Karen Haedtke March 12, 2013, 4:53 PM

    Thank you for sharing this. This has been an amazing journey that has touched me in ways I cannot even explain. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and may they find peace knowing that he is now at peace.

  • Aaron Wolf March 12, 2013, 4:54 PM

    My son also has DMD and is also a LEGO fanatic. Today is his 9th birthday. God bless Mitchell, his family, and all our DMD boys!

  • Chris Jones March 12, 2013, 4:57 PM

    Thank you for telling the story of our son. He loved Legos so very much. We are grateful to you.

  • Tiffany Waggoner March 12, 2013, 5:09 PM

    Very beautiful story. We all miss Mitchell, even those of us who never had the privilege to meet such a wonderful young man.

  • Eliana March 12, 2013, 5:12 PM

    Our tribute to the delights that a boy warrior, sweet and loved by all …. Nor knew him personally, but is regarded as being of my family .. I pray to God every day for this family, many angels, much protection and Micthell can be happy and resting in the arms of the heavenly Father and his parents look like a star now shines bright from heaven …

  • Eliana March 12, 2013, 5:13 PM

    Nossa que delicia de homenagem ao um menino guerreiro, doce e amado por todos….Também não o conheçi pessoalmente, mas é considerado como sendo da minha família..Peço a Deus todos os dias para esta família ,muitos anjos, muita proteção e que Micthell possa estar feliz e descansando nos braços do pai celestial e que seus pais o vejam como uma estrela que agora brilha e ilumina lá do céu…

    • Håkan March 12, 2013, 6:52 PM

      Note: This is basically the same post as above, but in Portuguese…

  • Taylor Johannesen March 12, 2013, 6:18 PM

    What a beautiful tribute to this boy and his love of Legos. Putting a smile on this child’s face is worth more then all the millions this company makes. Good for you Lego Co for doing things to make your young consumers happy.

  • Eden March 12, 2013, 6:29 PM

    You have summarized so well the many feelings and thoughts my own family has had sharing Mitch’s journey and his passing beyond the veil. Thank you.

  • Debra Chiabai March 12, 2013, 7:48 PM

    Thank you for helping to spread Mitchell’s story and for your kindness in making sure he got those special MinifigME in time. My son has Duchenne as well and he is also a HUGE Lego fan. I agree with the other parent that said that Lego lets the boys use their wonderful imaginations to act out the things they cannot do. Great article.

  • Patrick Sweeney March 12, 2013, 8:09 PM

    I was so pleased i took time to read such a wonderful story. What a great young boy and his excellent family and friends, very touching and sad. So happy he got to see MinifigMe in time. May God bless his family and friends and all who helped to make him so happy. Sincere condolences to his wonderful Parents, Family, Friends and the Lego community. Bless everyone of you. Thanks for sharing his story.

  • Wends of Journeys and Travels March 12, 2013, 8:56 PM

    I am touched by your generosity and for giving us an inspiring understanding of how precious, our little acts of kindness to a child who changed me and the way I see myself, my world and those surrounding me.

    this article speaks very well of how happy Mitchell was and is with his lego and forever, I will keep him and his smiles though we are miles away and heaven’s apart. 🙁

  • Debra Ellis March 12, 2013, 11:47 PM

    Thank you so much for making such a special gift for Mitchell that lit up his whole face. It made him so happy. God bless you.

  • Cari-Ann Barker March 13, 2013, 9:58 PM

    What a beautiful article about such a beautiful child and family. Thank you for that.

    Mitchell, I hope that you are now at peace sweetheart. I pray that Heaven has more LEGOs than you know what to do with!

    To his family, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful son with the world. I pray that you find peace, and continued support in your fight with this disease. GOD BLESS!

  • zane zx March 14, 2013, 12:28 PM

    Prase The LORD

  • Patty Rothbart March 14, 2013, 8:40 PM

    Dear Taylor,
    Your heartfelt sharing of this family’s journey touched me deeply. The love you felt for Mitchell and the happiness you helped to bring him is what being human is all about. Thank you and God Bless you. Sincerely,
    Patty R.

  • anna whiston-donaldson May 23, 2013, 10:21 PM

    Thank you for sharing this story about beautiful Mitchell! My son Jack was a huge Lego fan as well and wanted to grow up to be a LEGO designer. For his 12th birthday, my husband took him to LEGOLAND in California. A few months later, Jack was swept away by flood waters and died. Everyone wore crosses out of LEGO at his funeral. We will always be grateful for our 12 years with him and for how much joy his LEGO brought him.

    • admin May 24, 2013, 9:19 AM

      Anna, thanks for sharing. That’s just hearbreaking. Memories like that makes those LEGO sets and creations Jack left behind even more special.

  • NinjaMelissa June 30, 2013, 9:37 PM

    Oh, such a sweet sounding boy! May his young soul rest in peace in heaven with The Lord. Sweet restful peace to him and his family and cherish life and everyday with hope and love and prayers! Peace<3

  • The Quality Guy August 14, 2013, 4:00 AM

    It’s articles like these that make me still believe in the goodness of Man & that there are still a few good humans on this planet.

    This is truly a Triumph for Man moment! The fact that you went the extra mile to rush the minifigMe to Mitchell was, to say the least, inspiring.

    Thank you for your efforts, and thank you for this article. I’m only sorry that I read it far too late.

    • admin August 14, 2013, 10:54 AM

      There is no need to be sorry. Stories like this will continue to teach us lessons and inspire us in so many ways. That is the legacy of this brave young man.

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