It was in total peace and with no regrets that my mother, Mrs. Della Greene Wheeler slipped away from this life. She went home to be with the Lord at the age of 89 on Friday morning, April 1, 2011.
Indeed, she was an amazing woman. Although she was not famous, didn’t have a lot of money, and rarely rubbed elbows with the elite, to me she was amazing. She was a published author, but worked as a licensed practical nurse for over 30 years and on that income alone, she determined to provide for us in grand style. She made certain we had everything we needed and pretty near all we wanted. Whether or not she spoiled us is debatable. However, there are some things she did for which I could never thank her enough and will be eternally grateful.
My mom taught us not to want everything we saw. She taught us to desire those things that were of value. She taught us respect for authority. My mom modeled before us the worth of doing what’s right no matter what anyone else did or didn’t do. From watching her, I learned to love God with every fiber of my being.
When I was a youth, I complained because she made me act like a lady, but, somehow she knew what I could become. I griped because she wouldn’t let me hang out with just “anyone,” nevertheless, she held fast to what was best for me. It seemed pointless to me, for all those years of singing lessons, however, God knew what we would need down the road. For it was at her bedside on her final days and moments on earth that God allowed me to sing for hours to give back to her the sacrificial gift she had given me. God allowed me the time to thank her for pointing the way to Christ and making me the woman I am today.
For those of you who had the privilege of knowing my mom, I’m sure you would agree that Della had a way of brightening the day of everyone she met. She always had a song of praise to her Savior in her heart and on her lips. Her sense of humor and cheerful outlook stayed with her until God called her home.
I tried to prepare myself for these days. In theory, I was on point, probably. In reality, nothing could have spared me the pain of my mom leaving. I have concluded there are no words or deeds that will comfort me. I am fully aware that she is in a better place, I’ll see her again, God knows best, she loved me, and she knew I loved her – none of that changes the fact that she is no longer in my life right now. This is something that only time wrapped in God’s grace can heal. I know that one day I will remember my mom with a smile instead of these tears.
Thank you for your caring expressions of sympathy and thoughtful deeds. Your gracious spirit meant a lot to all of us.
Dell and the Family of the late Della Wheeler
Indeed, she was an amazing woman. Although she was not famous, didn’t have a lot of money, and rarely rubbed elbows with the elite, to me she was amazing. She was a published author, but worked as a licensed practical nurse for over 30 years and on that income alone, she determined to provide for us in grand style. She made certain we had everything we needed and pretty near all we wanted. Whether or not she spoiled us is debatable. However, there are some things she did for which I could never thank her enough and will be eternally grateful.
My mom taught us not to want everything we saw. She taught us to desire those things that were of value. She taught us respect for authority. My mom modeled before us the worth of doing what’s right no matter what anyone else did or didn’t do. From watching her, I learned to love God with every fiber of my being.
When I was a youth, I complained because she made me act like a lady, but, somehow she knew what I could become. I griped because she wouldn’t let me hang out with just “anyone,” nevertheless, she held fast to what was best for me. It seemed pointless to me, for all those years of singing lessons, however, God knew what we would need down the road. For it was at her bedside on her final days and moments on earth that God allowed me to sing for hours to give back to her the sacrificial gift she had given me. God allowed me the time to thank her for pointing the way to Christ and making me the woman I am today.
For those of you who had the privilege of knowing my mom, I’m sure you would agree that Della had a way of brightening the day of everyone she met. She always had a song of praise to her Savior in her heart and on her lips. Her sense of humor and cheerful outlook stayed with her until God called her home.
I tried to prepare myself for these days. In theory, I was on point, probably. In reality, nothing could have spared me the pain of my mom leaving. I have concluded there are no words or deeds that will comfort me. I am fully aware that she is in a better place, I’ll see her again, God knows best, she loved me, and she knew I loved her – none of that changes the fact that she is no longer in my life right now. This is something that only time wrapped in God’s grace can heal. I know that one day I will remember my mom with a smile instead of these tears.
Thank you for your caring expressions of sympathy and thoughtful deeds. Your gracious spirit meant a lot to all of us.
Dell and the Family of the late Della Wheeler
