When Mitchell Whisenhunt passed away on Saturday, he left his family with a gift they will always cherish — dozens of letters.
According to KLTV, hours after Mitchell and Ashley Whisenhunt were married, Mitchell became extremely ill. After spending months working with doctors to determine what was wrong, Mitchell was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues. It can affect many vital body parts including the heart, joints, eyes and bones.
After fighting the battle against Marfan Syndrome, Mitchell passed away Saturday with his wife and 1-year-old daughter left behind. After Mitchell died, Ashley found more than 30 letters and notebooks of poetry written by Mitchell. According to KLTV, the letters are addressed to family members, the community and dozens to his daughter. KLTV reports that one letter begins saying,
"If this is being read, I have passed.” The letter goes one to say, "In this grieving period for my wife, the last thing I want her to worry about is the coming cost of my funeral.”
Many of Mitchell’s letters were addressed to his daughter. Ashley said he wrote letters for the special occasions in her life.
"Her 2nd, 3rd, 4th birthday, and on the 16th he wrote "Sweet 16" on the front, all the way up to her 18th birthday,” she told KLTV.
Ashley said she also received letters for special occasions such as an anniversary. She said the letters show that he was always thinking of others.
"I know he was thinking about us,” Ashley said.