In God's Kitchen with Mitchell Blaine Evans 1985-2008

Mitchell Blaine Evans

21 September 2008 

My mother asked me to come and visit her in Utah so I did, leaving last Thursday and planning a return trip Sunday.

I was staying with my aunt when I woke from a deep sleep 3 a.m. Sunday morning. I couldn't get back to sleep so I got up and prepared for the day. 

Fifteen minutes after I was ready, my sister called. Her voice was tight and she couldn't get the words out. I didn't find out until I arrived that her oldest son, Mitchell, 23, had died.

During her preparation for his funeral, she asked me for a poem.  

I'm NOT a poet, though my college major was English. I was forced to read poetry, Shakespeare, and other books called "classics" but that is another subject. 

At first, I thought of an excellent poem John Keats had written (if I have a favorite poet, he is it).  Yet, when I was going to explain this to her, my tongue was silenced. As if a voice was talking in my head, I heard very clearly: "In God's Kitchen."

This should not have been a surprise. My nephew had been attending a community college in Salt Lake where he was enrolled in their Culinary Arts program. He wanted to be a Chef.

Taking the idea, given to me Tuesday, I had to get it finished and delivered by Wednesday. I wrote it partly during my preparations for the day and refined it while sitting in the parking lot of the local Office Max. 

I wasn't alone in the car. 

I had prayed that I would have the inspiration necessary - and if Mitch wanted to give his mother a message, that this was the time to deliver because I was out of time. 

Below are the inspired words to my nephew's poem.

In God’s Kitchen

By Michelle Erickson

I’m in God’s Kitchen

Waiting for you

Don’t worry about me

There’s plenty to do.

I’ll be busy

Until you arrive

Then I’ll show you God’s Kitchen

And all Paradise.

I’ll share all the sunsets

The mountains and streams

Everything here

Is better than dreams.

I’ve learned some things that happen

Are just meant to be

Please don’t despair over

What happened to me.

There are no answers

Your heart will understand

All I can tell you

Is that its part of the plan.

I know you miss me

And I really miss you

But I’m in God’s Kitchen

And there’s plenty to do.