Happy Mother’s Day! Mother Knows Best!

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. And for the first time in my entire life, I cannot send my mother flowers, a thoughtful card, or even call her to tell her Happy Mother’s Day. You see, last year in October of 2019, she left this world to be with the Lord. Please know, I do not write this for sadness or pity, but rather the opposite, for celebration and honor of a life well lived, an example to us all! I want to share with you all the beauty, kindness, resilience, strength, and unconditional love she had for me, my family, and everyone she knew.

My mom was a simple lady, born and raised on a ranch in Northern New Mexico, she lacked for nothing and was grateful for everything. She passed away in late 2019 quite unexpectedly, and I had the absolute honor and pleasure to lead her only service at the grave site. I share below some highlights of the service out of deep honor and respect for an incredible woman, my mother!

October 19, 2019: We gather together today to commit Viola Bernice “Bunnie” Wheatley Foss, to her final resting place alongside her husband and one true love, Dean Gary Foss. We comfort each other in our grief and to honor the life Bunnie led. A life that was full of Christ, happiness, laughter, and love, through good times as well as in bad.

This is the way we will always remember Bunnie, that she lived her life as an example to each and every person she met that love is an action, not just a feeling. And the practice of giving of ourselves is the truest way to honor God.

Bunnie’s favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

The meaning of being a mother is virtually endless. A mother is a protector, teacher, disciplinarian, and friend. A mother is a selfless, loving human who must sacrifice many personal wants and needs for those of their children. A mother gives unconditional love. A mother works hard to make sure their child is equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to not only survive but excel as a human being. Being a mother is perhaps the hardest, most rewarding job a woman will ever experience.

Viola Bernice “Bunnie” Wheatley Foss, was born on November 7, 1940, in Springer, New Mexico. She was an only child to the beautiful, resourceful, and loving Caleb and Mildred Wheatley. Bunnie was raised on the CS Ranch northern New Mexico and enjoyed the simple country life. While she had no brothers and sisters, she had a very close extended family with Les and Linda Davis and their children of the CS Ranch.

Upon graduating high school in 1958, Bunnie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and became a medical assistant to a dermatologist. Once in Albuquerque, she met Dean Gary Foss and they married in 1962.

Bunnie and Dean were heavily involved with the church and made several lifelong friends. Many of these friends played a key role in my mom’s life after my father’s early departure to heaven 30 years ago in 1989.

She is survived and dearly loved by her children, Jeff and wife, Christine, Michael and wife, Anita, and Melissa; grandchildren, Brittney, Aubrey, Bryson, Hailey, Kaitlin, Suzanna, Kale, Hannah, and Caleb; great-grandchildren, Bryleigh, Evie, and Leighton.

Mothers Day 3.png — The FOSS’s

Dean, Bunnie, Jeff, Michael, & Missy

Bunnie went into the open arms of her Lord for eternity on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.

Bunnie was a simple woman but not to be underestimated. She was a strong Christian woman and loved her kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her dogs. She was loved for her spunk and admired for her strength and grit. She had a feisty nature and a joyful spirit. She was protective and a woman of deep spiritual belief and emotion.

Our parents taught us tough love, to be a devout follower of Jesus. They taught us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” as it states in Matthew 6:33.

Bunnie enjoyed quilting, knitting, crafts, and gardening, but most of all, sending handwritten cards to each of her children and grandchildren. From our oldest daughter’s first birth, Bunnie sent all three of our kids handwritten cards on every birthday and most holidays. As our kids went off to college, they went through the boxes were we stored the cards and were amazed and overwhelmed. Each card held a personal note to them sharing kindness and joy, celebrating them from a deep over-pouring love of a dear Grandmother. Faithfulness adds up. For better or worse, positive or negative, things we faithfully do can become detrimental and add up to big, bad habits or, they can become disciplines that bless our lives and others’.

I love that part of me is a Wheatley! I grew to love where my mom grew up and my grandparents deeply! The CS Ranch is a beautiful place where I ate the best food, made forts in the woods with my brother, learned to drive, and shoot guns!

While our earthly bodies are filled with sorrow and our hearts are breaking, this is truly a day of celebration for those of us in Christ Jesus! My mother is now sporting a new body with NO restrictions! She has no cough, no allergies, no bad knees, no back pain!

She has been reunited with my dad and all my grandparents! I imagine quite a celebration going on right now. It’s been ~30 years since my father and my mom’s parents headed for the heaven and I bet they all have a lot to catch up on.

It’s been said that “tomorrow is guaranteed to no one”. While on earth this is true, an eternity of tomorrows is guaranteed to anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

As we commit our mother’s body to her final resting place alongside our father, this day is particularly special as today is my parents wedding 57th anniversary. They were married on this day, 57 years ago, on October 19, 1962.

I love you mom! You will be remembered forever and one day, we will celebrate for eternity!

Call your mother and tell her you love her today! Even better, go give her a great big hug!

Never Give Up and Never Settle for Mediocrity!