SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WTVF) — The twin sister of a Spring Hill firefighter who was killed as storms hit Middle Tennessee on Sunday has penned an emotional goodbye to her brother.
Mitchell Earwood was killed on Sunday night when a tree fell and hit him as he was outside his home. He was 35 years old.
You can read the full statement below from his twin sister Mallory Earwood Hicks:
Mitch spent his whole life worrying about me dying to CF, and it just goes to show how fragile life is for all of us. No one is certain for tomorrow. He was the most amazing father to Lyla (which by the way my greatest honor in this life was when he named his daughter after the nickname he always grew up calling me “Lila” .. he named me this when he could barley talk. He gave Lyla more than a life time of love and memories. He was always taking her on “adventures”, as they called them. He had a love and obsession for ancestry and history and making sure our family was never forgotten. So proud of where he came from. He made picture books with information to go with every ancestor for our entire family on both sides. He taught Lyla how to say the names of our great great great grandparents. He was also the youngest person to ever be accepted as a member in the Franklin historical archives! He was such an old soul, extremely sentimental (which now makes me see why God made him this way so he could leave behind so much sentiment and information that he could leave for Lyla and our family.) He was hilarious... made me laugh harder than any human being could! Such a cut up.. everyone knew and loved him for that! He was such a bright beautiful warmth when he entered any room. He was so soft hearted and tender. He loved his job and helping others, but he also had a hard time because his heart was so big to see such horrible things in this career path. He held many of hands on their last breath and calmly talked with them until they went to be with Jesus ..he is and always will be my twin and my hero!! On our last birthday Dec 10.. (the last one that I will physically get to share with my twin), I wrote this to Mitch:
(These words are how I will always feel about him and so much more I could never express in words.)
Happy Birthday to my one and only womb-mate! Mitch, wow what can i even say.. 34 years and 7 months together. From just a clump of cells we were made together! All of our milestones were side by side and we were each other’s whole world. I could never find the words or thank you enough for always being my twin brother, my playmate, my protector, and my supporter. There was always such a sense of comfort knowing you were always going to be there growing up beside me. I never had to feel alone. You always had my back and looked out for me. Sometimes just seeing your face across the cafeteria or through a crowd at school gave me such a safe feeling. From being womb-mates to roommates! From side by side cribs and bunk beds, to your very own room across the hall..you were always my guy. So grateful i still have you so close! You gave up so much at an early age because you knew mama had to focus so much time on my health to keep me alive. It was as if you had always known that i was going to need extra help because you were the most patient, content and laid back baby. You are and forever will be my hero and my security! There is a love that can’t be measured or explained between us! I love you Mitch and wouldn’t want to do any of this life without you !
This song I dedicate to You and Emmy. For being the wind beneath my wings all these years.
It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine, that's your way
You always walked a step behind
So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strength
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain
Did you ever know that you're my hero
And everything I would like to be?I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I've got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it
I would be nothing without you
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be
I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings
Oh, the wind beneath my wings
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings
Fly, fly, fly away, you let me fly so high
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings
Fly, fly, fly high against the sky
So high I almost touch the sky
Thank you, thank you
Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings