Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, August 28, 2017

The Love that Debbie Brought Us

DEBBIE WILHITE
October 17, 1966 -  August 13, 2017
(This beautiful picture of Debbie was taken in October of 2016 during her 50th Birthday Celebration.  Mark took her to the beach in Galveston for a few days to celebrate and have a great time together..  Those two always had tons and tons of fun and so many fabulous memories!) 
If you missed last Monday's post,  click HERE to read about the tragic death of my beautiful Daughter-in-law,  DEBBIE WILHITE, on August 13...  Now it is a week later since I wrote that post, and this news is still fresh in my heart and mind...  Time will continue to heal --but now,  just the little things get to me.

For instance,  as most of you know,  George and I share a devotional together each morning as we start our day.  In that devotion,  we pray for family and friends.  One of our prayers is to ask God's blessings on those who are brought together in Holy Matrimony.   As you know,  son Mark and his "Baby" (as he called Debbie) only got married on June 12 this year.. They had been together for a little over 2 years --but the actual marriage was recent.   I was SO happy to add them to our list of family members who are married.... Needless to say,  having to take their names off made me cry... Like I say--it's the little things....

I tried, for the week I was in Texas with Mark,  to stay as STRONG as I could for him.  BUT--there were a few times when I just 'lost it'... One of those times was when I got to see their adorable little home which they had moved into in early 2017 when Mark got transferred in his job.  (Mark is a Home Builder --and a GREAT one for sure!)   They were so happy to find their new home ---and when I went inside last week for the first time,   I was blown away seeing and feeling all of  the LOVE in that home...

They (mostly Debbie) had decorated their home ---and the love was so evident in every room...  I just cried and cried...  I could feel Debbie all around....  There were even some new recipes in the kitchen which Debbie had printed on Friday --so that she could make some new dinners for Mark...

WELL--you get the 'picture'.... There was just so much future for the two of them...  I'm sure that God needed that friendly, happy, joyful lady in heaven more than any of us needed her on Earth... It's hard to explain but now we know that Debbie is totally out-of-pain and with her Mama in heaven.  That doesn't mean that we don't miss her like crazy here on earth....

Today --I am sharing some cute pictures I took with my cellphone the day we were at Mark's  townhouse while walking around the various rooms.  You will be able to feel the love also... Hope you enjoy them.  No explanation is needed on the various photos.
































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This picture of Debbie was taken when she and Mark were on their Honeymoon Cruise in June.  Mark has the picture displayed in their home now.  Debbie's wedding rings and the necklace which she NEVER took off (which Mark had given her) are now displayed in and around  those gorgeous wedding glasses which were a gift from Mark's father and his stepmother.   I cried again when Mark sent me this picture/display...   



I cry every time I see this beautiful picture sent to me from Mark and Debbie after their June wedding.   The framed picture sits in our Living Room on an end table.   Debbie was so incredibly special to me...  Sob Sob.



Finally,  I love this picture of Mark and Debbie taken in April of 2016 .   (As you can imagine,  I have a huge collection of Mark/Debbie pictures--and am so glad for all of these memories.)
Thanks for all of the wonderful comments I received after last week's post...  Your thoughts and prayers mean the world to me.   Being able to write down my thoughts and share them on my blog and on Facebook helps me so much in MY healing... I'm not sure what I would have done without all of my friends/family these past couple of weeks....   As you know,  I needed your love and felt it... Thanks so much and please keep it coming...

Mark is doing remarkably well ---thanks to so much family/friend support.  He is back at work and able to get out and take walks...  A friend of mine sent him a book on Grief--and he said that he is really enjoying it also --and that it is helping him get those deep emotions OUT.   He is also seeing a counselor and going to a support group --all of which are helping him take that horrible step forward in his life... Keep him in your prayers also.  I'm so proud of him and how he is handling all of this...

Hugs,

37 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Betsy ~ What a lovely post showing so much love from and for Debbie. All of your memories are precious and are locked in your hearts.

Love, hugs and prayers for all of you, especially Mark.

FlowerLady

Ann said...

I like the style that Debbie decorated with. Her presence is definitely felt there. Keeping all of you in my prayers for continued strength in these sad times

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Betsy,

My thoughts and prayers are with Mark, you and your family.

HUGS!!

linda m said...

These are such precious memories of Debbie. You, George and Mark (as well as all of Debbie's family ) are in my daily prayers. May God wrap you all in His arms and comfort you.

Lagean Ellis said...

I can feel your pain but your love for Debbie comes through even stronger! Such a tragic loss of a special woman!
My prayers are with you, Mark and the friends and family who love and miss her!

Julie said...

Debbie did make a beautiful home and Mark has her many messages all around him to help him through these difficult days. Lots of love xx

Dorothy said...

Beautiful tribute to Debbie! I'm so glad that Mark is taking positive steps to help him through his grief! He WILL get THROUGH this difficult time, with God's help. Hugs & Prayers

George said...

This is a beautiful tribute to the love that Debbie and Mark had for each other.

David said...

Betsy, Lovely post and memorial to your sweet daughter-in-law. So sad :( . Prayers all around. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Connie said...

Betsy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The love you all had for Debbie and that she had in return is quite obvious. Wishing you all comfort and peace.

Chatty Crone said...

I hate that depression can rule over love, but sometimes it does. For if love won over - you and your family could have saved her. She was beautiful. I am so sorry. Love, sandie

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Debbie's death leaves such a hole in all your hearts. I'm so sorry.

A Colorful World said...

This is just SO SO sad. It breaks my heart that this beautiful woman, so filled with love and joy has been taken from all of you. God called her home, and I pray He will continue to comfort and guide you all as you grieve. Beautiful post. I especially loved the photo from the Honeymoon Cruise on display with he necklace, ring and champagne flutes. Much love and best wishes, dear Betsy.

Small City Scenes said...

Sweet post----how hard for Mark yet wonderful for him to still be surrounded by Debbie's love. You are right God has greater plans..............
MB

Betsy said...

Such a wonderful relationship you had with your dear Debbie. You can read the love in every word. Thank you for showing us their sweet home. I pray that you feel God's loving arms wrapped around you and that Mark would also. Thank you for sharing your heart with us Betsy. Blessings always,
Betsy

Latane Barton said...

Such a sad time and my heart breaks for all of you. Prayers indeed for healing.

Lady Fi said...

What a moving tribute - so full of love!

Lowcarb team member said...

Oh Dear Betsy,
Such an amazing and loving post.
My continued thoughts and prayers are with Mark, you and your family.
God Bless

All the best Jan

Arkansas Patti said...

Beautiful post Betsy. Your pain but also love comes through strongly. The blessing was the time you all shared, the heartbreak was the brevity. I am glad Mark is getting some counseling and the help of a support group. Keep leaning on eachother for support.
I do hope he is in a part to Texas that was spared. My heart goes out to those suffering so.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Oh my dear Betsy I am really shocked at the sudden turn this lovely family has been dealt . A celebration of life just weeks after a wedding is hard to grasp. Demons of bipolar you say I send you my condolences and will send all the positive vibes possible. You havev George to help you and all as well. I also pray that those living around Texas are spared some of the horrible hurricane mess that wevare seeing here in the news. I thank you for reaching out as I am also behind in blogs.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I can feel the deep sorrow you are going through, but at the same timeline this post,I can feel the special love you have in your heart for Debbie and Mark.Cherish those precious memories and allow the sadness to fade into the background.Of course that will take times cry when you need to and laugh when you can.Hugs.

Ginny Hartzler said...

It is impossible to believe she was 50. She looks 25!! Or maybe it is that I am just so old myself. But she was so beautiful, looked so young, was a great decorator, had a new husband and everything to live for. But our brain chemistry can betray us so much. This was a terrible tragedy and loss, but we know she is finally happy now, with no more tears or sorrow.

The Furry Gnome said...

Some time after our son died someone told me that the depth of grief you feel reflects the depth of love you have. That thought helped a lot.

Fun60 said...

It will take a long time to think of Debbie without shedding a tear but what wonderful memories you have of her love for your son. Try and stay strong for Mark but look after yourself.

Neal said...

Very, very nice my friend.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Oh Betsy...I am so very sorry. You, Mark and your family will be in my prayers. I also am praying for all who have been impacted by the hurricane in TX.
Love and hugs, Cheryl

Happytrails said...

What a beautiful tribute to Debbie!! It is apparent she loved Mark and you as well. I am so heart broken for you to have to go through this hurt!! I pray God wraps His arms around Mark and all those that hurt with her loss!!! I am glad you have the blog to write your feelings about Debbie...it is very healing!! She is so beautiful!!! Hugs!!

Velva said...

Betsy, I am so terribly sorry for your family's loss. Much love to your family and many prayers during this very difficult time.

Velva

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy...I feel so for you guys...I can feel the love you had for her. And I feel for Mark because I know how it felt when Roger had his stroke and how I thought I was losing him. And even when I didn't, for a while, it was hard to get off my mind that one day in the future it would happen for real. Or he would lose me.

Nancy Chan said...

This is a painful period of grief for your loss. May God's peace and healing be upon Mark, you and love ones.

diane b said...

Your grief is hard to imagine. I only hope that you all can come out of this terrible time and get on with your life and have more happy days in the future.

Betsy said...

A loving tribute. Good to hear that Mark is taking steps to handle his grief.
love betsy

Pat Tillett said...

A great and touching tribute and memorial Betsy.
Again, I'm very sorry for your family's loss.

Pat Tillett said...

A great and touching tribute and memorial Betsy.
Again, I'm very sorry for your family's loss.

Lux G. said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers.

Jeevan said...

Could feel the love all over there and nothing to say about those frames that etch positive energies across their home! How loves make life beautiful? Mark and Debbies life is a proof I could say and I wished it lasted some more. Glad to hear Mark is doing well and slowly breathing life

Take care and keep supporting him

Kay said...

I just had a quiet moment and had to come and look in on you especially when I saw the solar eclipse photo. Then I saw this post. Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! I am so very sorry. Debbie was such a beautiful woman and so loved by all of you. I'm sending you all my love from Hawaii.