I don't know how to make this post. This morning at work I got the call no parent wants to imagine, let alone receive. My oldest son is gone. Tim died at his home in Auburn, Washington this morning. We don't know, and will never know this side of heaven, exactly what happened. But he seems to have gone peacefully.
Tim was born 12 August 1993. He had Cerebral Palsy, the result (we think) of an accident at birth. He had suffered a few health issues in recent years, but nothing gave any indication that today would be the day, or even year.
We take small but not insignificant comfort in this; for the first time in his life, Tim is healthy and whole. And he can see my dad again, 27 years gone. They adored each other. Tim cried "Poppa" for 5 years after he died and I have no doubt that if you has said "Poppa" to him yesterday, he would have started another 5 year streak.
The last few years have taken a toll on my faith, but I'm clinging to it now for dear life.
Tim taught me something that would otherwise have been just a good line in a favorite movie.
"It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life." - Bilbo Baggins
A can of Pringles, a Coke, and a DVD he'd seen a thousand times, and Tim was as happy as any kid at Disneyland.
Sadly, I now also know from experience another Tolkien quote.
"No parent should have to bury their child." - Theoden
Tim, you and Poppa take care of each other. I'll see you again soon.
Stephen Timothy Spencer, 12 August 1993 - 24 February 2026
