Patricia L. Wilkinson (October 17, 1946 - October 14, 2005)  

C. Cecil Wilkinson (September 16, 1946 – March 29, 2009)  

My mom was an amazing woman. A balancing force in our family, she supported and encouraged me to live up to my potential, and nurtured me with a love and tenderness only a mother can share. She lived a beautiful life of faith, service and love.  She died three days before her 59th birthday. The impact of having such a healthy, vegetarian, non-drinking, non-smoking parent of such great faith, service and love die so suddenly challenged me in a way I could not have imagined.  During this time the Divas provided an opportunity to focus on team and being in the now, and gave me an outlet to release any excess aggression, while dealing with all the emotions of loss and grief the following year. Out of that pain has grown a greater sense of clarity, strength and purpose.

I have discovered that all great tragedy provides us an opportunity to greater learning and healing, if we allow it.  That healing came for me though the works of many authors and spiritual teachers who appeared in my life at the exact right time, each time to deliver the message I was seeking. The quote "when the student is ready the teacher appears," became my daily reality. One by one these teachers appeared. Each one answered a life question or challenged one of my belief systems in a way that made it necessary for the next teacher to appear.  The mystery of life began to unfold and untold secrets were revealed.  The manifestation of new results based on my new way of thinking became self evident.  Learning to release my own judgment of self and others has eased me into a place of love that before that point had eluded me. Allowing the greater good to manifest in my life following apparent tragedy has led me to a greater appreciation of the role my mother played in my life and the even greater role she played in my life through her death.  Being able to transfer the life lessons that I have learned through this growth process has strengthened my relationship with clients and business partners.  This experience has given me a unique perspective on life, love, growth, and enlightenment. 

I can see in myself a reflection of her life and her strength. Her smile and positive attitude were infectious. What a wonderful experience we had growing up with our mother at home as our teacher, our friend and our mentor.  We played together as a family and mom and dad loved to do everything together- backpack, water ski, rollerblade, snow ski, or go to the beach, the mountains or the canyons. They enjoyed jumping in the motor home for a weekend trip to the desert or the lake. Mom was so full of life and loved spending it with my dad. My brothers David and Dale are my best friends, and we all maintain the sense of family that she shared with us. She loved her grandchildren Carrigan and Caiden, and would be proud of the most recent edition, Ethan.  My mom had a sense of peace because her faith never faulted and she lived in harmony with her values. She was a loyal partner and shared a loving relationship with my dad. My Mom is an inspiration in my life and the impetus for establishing the Wilkinson Foundation in her honor.  This foundation is to serve others and support the efforts of women and children.

After mom passed, dad married Ann, a woman with whom he had everything in common and the desire to move on and enjoy life.  She was an instant light and joy in his life.  Her blessing was actually a blessing in all of our lives. Ann cared for Cecil when he developed a Glioblastoma, which is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor, in 2008.  Her strength carried him as he dealt with the challenges of cancer, and he shared his faith to her and the community.  Dad, thank you for your demonstration of faith while being challenged in the most difficult way. Your example and mom’s way of life does impact the world. I thank you and I love you for all that you are and have been, and will be forever. We miss you here and are grateful for the time you shared with us.