Happy Birthday to my Sweet Mama

July 12, 2022 Off By Donna Wuerch Noble

On July 12th, 1911, a star was born. That star was my mama, Edna Pearl (Halbert) Wheat. Today she would be 111. She made it to 94 before heading to her home sweet home in heaven! If anyone deserved heaven and all it affords, Mom did. I know she earned a jeweled crown by lovingly and adoringly, at age 19, marrying my 31-year-old dad and becoming mama to his two children (Rocky & Jeannie, ages 3 & 5), plus my biological sister, Lydell, a few years later – then me, Donna, 12 years later.

I know my readers must get tired of me talking about the loves of my life so much. But, when these loves altered the course of my life in so many ways to be the woman I am today, I must give credit where credit is due. This sweet woman was my greatest life influencer. She “marked” me for loving Jesus. She “marked” me for staying so tight with Him through the ups and downs of life that I’m still standing today.

The best parts of me came from her. If ever there was an angel on earth, it was her. She was my mentor, 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 always forgave — “It’s okay. God forgives me all the time. I sure can forgive you.” She unconditionally loved “It’s okay that they hurt my feelings. I love and pray for them anyway.” Her integrity and honesty were of the utmost importance to her and now they are mine, too!

She gave me boundaries that worked: “Let your conscience be your guide.” And those words always rang in my ears when I was choosing right or wrong.

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. She was and is my hero. Her example made me a better me. As I type this today, I realize my shortcomings and I determine to up my game to be more like her.

The reason why I’m emphasizing her today, as such a role model, is for you and me to realize — it’s not the things or treasures or inheritance or life insurance or jewelry — the tangible things that make us. What makes us, and the legacy we leave to our children, are the things that money could never buy.

Her 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, to give and to suck it up when I’ve been hurt or offended, to trust in God’s plans for my life and 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

To my beloved grandparents (John and Mary Pearl Halbert) in heaven, thank you for raising my mama up in the ways she should go! And, to my beloved mama, my children and grands’ mamaw, dad’s sweetheart and God’s one-of-a-kind original – Happy Heavenly Birthday, Edna Pearl! It won’t be long, and we’ll be having grand celebrations around the throne together! I can hardly wait!