Family Celebration honoring son, Bert, who died on 4/21/23

Bert Wilhite (Being crazy; Picture taken in 2018)
July 18, 1963- April 21, 2023

Hello Blog Friends,  Bert opted to have an outdoor celebration ---and not a traditional morbid and sad service...  It worked out well--and it's the type of 'service' I want when I pass away...

SO----Twenty family members got together on Saturday, April 29, at Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains for a Celebration of Life for Bert...It was awesome and was a time of healing for all of us. We laughed and cried as we told stories about Bert. We also enjoyed a terrific picnic lunch.

We had had rain for the past few days but Saturday was gorgeous. I told my sons that Bert 'sent' us the beautiful weather. I'm sure he enjoyed hearing the stories that we all told!!!! I am so blessed to have a fabulous family --and Saturday was definitely a day of HEALING. Thanks be to God. (The picture was taken about 2018---and I'm sure that expression on his face was him listening to our crazy stories!!! ha)

I was scared when we planned the celebration thinking that it would be too hard for me. HOWEVER --I loved it and it was pure healing for me. Thanks be to a loving God who takes good care of us. AND--knowing that Bert is in heaven which has to be a beautiful place, and knowing that he is now out-of-pain is a blessing.  

Thank You for being so kind and compassionate to me through these past THREE months. Bert had one of the worst kinds of cancer ---so it's a good thing, although I miss him terribly, that he only lived with cancer for those three months...

Love to ALL,

BETSY and GEORGE

Death of my Son

 

 Melvin Bertrand Wilhite III (known as Bert to the family/old friends and Tre to new friends)

July 18, 1963 --April 21, 2023

Thank You to ALL who have sent so many prayers and so much love not only to Bert--but to our entire family.  These past 3 months have been so difficult,  and let me just say how much I HATE CANCER.  God must have big plans for Bert since he took him from us WAY too quickly.

I have said this so many times,  but my other two sons,  Mark and Jeff,  couldn't have been anymore loving and helpful to Bert through this journey.  I couldn't have made it without them.  SO--a huge thank you for my sons and their families.

And I cannot write this without saying thank you to my ROCK,  George.  He has been with me constantly through this journey, and has given me more love than any one person deserves. Thank You to my Sweetheart.

These past 3 months, Bert and I have had some great talks about his life.  He has lived several places and experienced life in ways that many of us never have.  I'm sure I will be sharing more about these experiences over the next several weeks.

As a strong Christian,  I know that Bert is in a beautiful place and is totally out of pain.   He died peacefully with the family surrounding him.   He is now in heaven with his father (who died in July of 2022).

But--I will admit that I miss him TERRIBLY.   We have been texting each day (several times) with his Mama asking him how he felt... He would always text back telling me he was fine (even when he wasn't).  I almost picked up my phone this afternoon to text him.  BUT--He can't text me back now...   It HURTS so much....

I miss you Sweet Boy.  I will see you again someday in Heaven.   (Picture of my 'awesome' son was taken in 2021 on a family picnic celebrating his brother Jeff's 50th Birthday)