One day years ago, I woke up to my mother crying, which was a most unusual sight. As it turned out, a very young family friend, the elementary school teacher in the adjoining second grade room, had been killed in a car accident. My mother had me sit that afternoon and write out a note of sympathy to my teacher, who she knew was a good friend. The essence of it was that each day God walks out into his vast garden and picks many flowers to take to heaven. Some are seedlings, some are in radiant full bloom and others have weathered through several seasons.
I had forgotten about this explanation of death until last week. I flashed back to my mother telling me that there are just some things that we cannot truly understand and have to have trust that, at some time, we are all called home to a loving God. On March 20, God chose a remarkably strong and very beautiful flower as Vickie Whalen left us. The analogy of a garden itself seems appropriate as when we think of our dear friend Eva, Vickie’s lovely mother, we immediately think of her treasured flowers and enviable gardens.
As I have watched life’s events through the years, I have come to the thought that each of us has a purpose on earth. Some of us fulfill that purpose earlier than others. Although Vickie was young, she lived a happy and action-packed life and certainly left an everlasting impact on all who knew her. Vickie personified the notion of a person being beautiful both inside and out.
Vickie was the youngest of Danny and Eva Whalen’s wonderful children. She was so close to her Mom and very proud Dad. Family and friends all remember Vickie engaged in dodge ball, softball and other games at the many family events hosted at the Whalen home. Vickie shared so much in life with her beautiful sister, Sam, and adored brother, Doug. Last week as her parents were talking about her athletic abilities, they noted that it came partly as a result of determination to keep up to her older siblings. Vickie was also an excellent student. On top of time spent with her many friends, sports activities and her academic pursuits, Vickie found time to work as a waitress. No matter how you knew her, Vickie left you with the same lasting positive feeling.
Vickie had a unique sense of humor. She was always smiling and she had the kind of smile that is contagious. Through the years, as we remember Vickie, it will always be with that knockout smile. Vickie cherished her grandparents, Ted and Gina Trzepacz and (the late) James and Phyllis Whalen. Vickie was also loved by many doting aunts, fun-loving uncles, close cousins and friends of all ages. I smiled when I learned that Vickie had been helping grandmother Gina make pierogies very recently as it meant another happy memory was made.
Vickie was also an animal lover. She leaves behind a most special companion, her dog Bo, whom she picked out and adopted into the Whalen family. Vickie shared many happy times and adventures with Bo through the years. He is an unusually calm dog who will now give and receive much comfort to her family in the days ahead. Bo is a dog with a purpose.
We will never understand why Vickie could not stay with us longer. Vickie now rests in the palm of God’s hands. Some things in life are not ours to comprehend; however, I know I speak for all of us who were lucky enough to know her that we are forever grateful for the gift of Vickie.
Mariellen Burke-Lenihan
