Because of Her

On July 12th, 1911, an angel came to earth. Edna Pearl (Halbert) Wheat. And, yes, she was a pearl! I cherish this photo of her and my one granddaughter, Alexia Wallace. I love the "before" and "after" of Alexia getting hold of that bottle.

I treasure photos like this, because they remind me of where the best of me came from. She was my role model and everything a mother should be. She selflessly gave: "Just give me the fried chicken neck -- that's good enough for me."

She forgave: "It's okay. God forgives me all the time. I sure can forgive you." She unconditionally loved: "It's okay that I don't hear from them much. I love and pray for them anyway."

Her integrity and honesty were of the utmost importance to her. I'll never forget the day as a tiny tot that I saw a candy bar on the floor in the grocery store and put it in my pocket. I reasoned that "If it's on the floor, it's okay to have it".

When I was found out, Mom took me back to the store. I had to make my wrong doing right. That lesson stuck with me like glue. She gave me boundaries that worked -- "Let your conscience be your guide."

Mom's honesty showed me that choosing right from wrong can be a cinch! She showed me undaunted faith and determination in the toughest of times when my daddy was so sick and when our finances were so meager.

I heard her praying for me and my siblings from her bedroom. She was unquestionably the most tender, kind-hearted, loving, gentle, caring and pure woman I have ever known. To this day, she remains my hero.

I am putting a spotlight on my mama -- not because of tangible things she left me. She didn’t own valuable treasures and didn’t leave an inheritance to me. Tangible things didn’t make me.

What makes us, and the legacy we leave to our children, are the things that money could never buy. My mom’s influence on me caused me to be honest, to love and care passionately, to put my faith in God during the best and worst of times.

My mom taught me to leave my family with something so much more than the things that can be bought. I intend to leave them the very best of me......and the very best of me is my precious mother's example. What are those things that you'll leave to your children and grandchildren?

"Her children rise up and call her blessed...." Proverbs 31:28

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom! The best of me is because of you!