Tom Wiswell - Dean's List! Ben Wiswell - Dean's List! Hannah Wiswell - Straight A's! WOWiswells!

The Wiswell family wishes you a Happy and Peaceful Holiday!

For our beloved Susan 11.03.16 - They thrive in the light of her love

For Susan -

Her last words to me, before she slipped into unconsciousness, were “ I love you all so much."

It has been said that the only real thing of value in this life is giving and receiving true and unconditional love...well, my beauties...this priceless gift from your mother to you manifests itself in you here today.   I can honestly say that, in my life's experience, I have never been witness to a more  complete, more generous, yet pragmatic devotion of a mother to her beloved children.   Please wear that love as a protective armor against the world's rough edges.

You know she lived for you 3 wonderful people...to watch you becoming your best selves was the true delight of her life...

I remember one fine September morning, waking up next to my love, hearing her say “ It's been so long since I have felt like myself.”

That's what this monster disease does...to too many...to the very best human I have had the privilege to know...

She fought so bravely, selflessly, caring primarily about letting us let her go with peace, love, and a profound serenity that leaves me breathless.

My woman/girl, a daughter, sister, mother, loyal and devoted wife, friend, confidant, a most trusted and loyal advisor, a graceful spirit of such sacred humanity...a woman in full.

She always wanted to do the right thing. She never seemed to lose faith that you, her closest friends and clients would do the same.   Perhaps her genius in this was that her faith in us may have elevated us, willing or no.

And so, we thank you all for being with us today, your kindness and support through the years, and being a part of our lives. We are especially grateful to Libby and Sue for making today happen. For Mary and Vanessa, I am deeply honored and joyful to be your new “breakfast buddy.” For all the “behind the scenes” acts of love and kindness that you have performed over the years, and especially now...there are no words. Thanks to my friends and coworkers at the Inn, and the Heilners for their endless acts of kindness. We owe an enormous debt to the skilled and dedicated Cape Henlopen educators, represented here today by the Donahues, Fredericks and Burkharts. Thank you to the Miles River Yacht Club Foundation for the wonderful work they do in Talbot County and the surrounding area, helping the underprivileged.   We are deeply and  humbly grateful to Ed and Cathy Scott, and the Allemall Foundation, for their contributions in making this life, and our childrens' education, largely possible.

I thank you, Yvonne, for your daughter. Your constant devotion to her and the shaping of her character made her the gift we share today. Lastly, I want to thank our children, Tom, Ben, and Hannah. You are the embodiment of your mother's spirit, intelligence, and love. As long as we stand together, there is no trial we cannot face.

And now, she would want us to continue moving forward, live happy and full lives, to “gobedo.” She would want me to “keep it real, Don.”

Yes dear, but first, please, will you allow me this for my friend, my love, my soul reviver?

By W. B. Yeats - 

 

When you are old and gray and full of sleep 
And nodding by the fire, take down this book, 
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look 
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep; 

How many loved your moments of glad grace, 
And loved your beauty with love false or true; 
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, 
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.
 

And bending down beside the glowing bars, 
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled 
And paced upon the mountains overhead, 
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.