Mitch was 20 and Barb 17 when they met in the early summer of 1981 while living in the same apartment complex. It was the beginning of a lasting friendship and an abiding love … a romantic rose that never lost its blush. Not even now, 43 years later, as a small cough Mitch came down with in March has over the course of a season become the grim focal point now dominating their existence, even as the blush of their rose remains undimmed.
The spark that kindled their friendship came almost at the moment their eyes first met, and instead of finding fuel for a quick and dazzling display that blazed so as to leave one breathless, theirs found a niche in each of their hearts in which to glow, to stay warm. Instead of a bedazzling cacophony of blinding sparkles and sparks, theirs was an ember’s glow, a slow and quiet exploration that would not flicker or fade but would instead sustain.
They married in 1992 and were blessed with two children, a son now living in South Bend, Indiana, with his wife and their three children, and a daughter, her husband and their one and two-year-old daughters, who live with them.
Just because the blush never wore off the rose doesn’t mean life was a bed of roses. From April 2017 to February 18, 2022, the couple took care of Barb’s mom, who suffered dementia, they stood together, and even share fond memories that were interspersed between the tears, such as the time she packed her bags and left home. He followed her patiently until she tired, began to flag.
He swooped in valiantly and offered to help … she handed the polite young man her luggage and led the way home.
In July 2022, their daughter gave birth, and Mitch retired just so he could become “manny” to his beautiful granddaughter … “manny” being one rung above grandpa, whose sole job with grandkids was to spoil and dote, and a rung or so below a nanny, typically a woman who assisted with all aspects of child care, including such gruesome tasks as changing poopy diapers and laughing with the child after she turned green and threw up in the midst of gales of giggles from being koochie-kooed and tossed in the air.
No one in the family was happier than manny when a second granddaughter arrived in July 2022.
The extended family moved from Post Falls in July 2023 and he carried on as Manny, by far the best and most rewarding role of his career.
And then that cough. Nothing serious, but persistent, annoying.
“Bronchitis,” a doctor said. Antibiotics and breathing treatments brought no relief, but x-rays were clear. In May, Mitch and Barb loaded up and drove to South Bend to visit their son, but Mitch felt awful. On their return, Mitch returned to see his doctor,; and their world slowly, excruciatingly, exploded.
Lab results skewed off the charts, blood clots in both lungs. Local physicians sent them to Kootenai Medical in Coeu’r d’Alene.
There, amid the many other assaults found attacking his body, doctors added to the one that rips even the most jaded physician’s heart, that makes a mockery of hope.
“Stage 4 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer”
“This journey has been a roller-coaster ride,” Barb wrote. “We are so grateful to everyone for your support and prayers. Asking for help goes against everything I have ever believed, but I honestly don’t know what else to do. I have seen so many people who have been through similar journeys seemingly remain positive during every turn, but I am struggling to do that.
“I know God has a plan, but I don’t know if that plan includes healing Mitch. Or what we will do when he passes.
“Thank you for allowing me to share our journey. I have read and heard some amazing things about Mitch from friends and co-workers. I am proud to be married to such a warm, caring, loving man. If you can help or share this story, we appreciate it more than I can ever express.”
Mitch is undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He has had gamma knife surgery on four brain tumors.
Medical treatments, traveling one-and-a-half to two hours each way to go to appointments, hospital stays and having to take unpaid time off because she has used all her sick and vacation time is stressing the family, emotionally and financially.
“Times are so hard for everyone right now, but if you can help us out we would so appreciate it,” Barb wrote.
Online donations can be made to the “Help Mitch Fight Cancer and Ease Financial Strain” account on Go Fund Me,
or mailed to Mitch and Barb Skelton. 7 Cottage Lane, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805.
Mitch and I ran together as teenagers, he was my best man at my wedding. Boy, could I tell some stories. We have grown apart as we have gotten older. God please bless Mitch. It is my prayer that Mitch has accepted Christ as his savior. If it is his time to go I will see him in heaven. I also pray for god to be with those giving care to to Mitch. God bless.