I forgot to mention that Mom's Memorial Service will be next Saturday, October 24th at 11:00am here in Jackson at Grace Fellowship. If you need directions please ask for them by e-mailing me tarahooper@sbcglobal .net
or you can get a map online
The church's address is
8040 S.Hwy 49
Jackson, Ca. 95642
Thanks.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Mom has gone home........
I don't know how to begin this. Tears fill my ears as I type. Everything I can think of to describe the woman Mom was does not pay her attribute. So I am going to steal Leanne Christie's post from Facebook..... her words were great.........
Maxine is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instruction. Maxine carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her; their are many virtuous women in the world, but you Maxine, surpass them all!
Mom passed away this morning at 11:10. We all stood by her bedside singing her favorite songs she used to sing to the grandkids. Harmonies filled the air and peace was around us all. I truly felt the Lord's presence as he came to take his child home with him. Michael led us all in "How lovely is you dwelling place. Oh Lord Almighty." As we sang the chorus, "Better is one day in you courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts, than thousands elsewhere." She took her final breath. It was so very peaceful. I am so incredibly thankful to have known and call her mom for the last five years. She really was the perfect Proverbs 31 woman.
Mom, if you could read this, I would want to say thank you for blessing my life, giving me such an amazing husband and family to be a part of. You always had a song to share with the kids and I believe you will be looking down on all the grandkids, placing songs in their hearts for many years to come. I love you so much and wish I could have said that to you more often. But I know you know how much you were loved. Love is what held you here and loved is how you went home. Save my spot next to you in Heaven. I can't wait to meet with you again.
Maxine is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instruction. Maxine carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her; their are many virtuous women in the world, but you Maxine, surpass them all!
Mom passed away this morning at 11:10. We all stood by her bedside singing her favorite songs she used to sing to the grandkids. Harmonies filled the air and peace was around us all. I truly felt the Lord's presence as he came to take his child home with him. Michael led us all in "How lovely is you dwelling place. Oh Lord Almighty." As we sang the chorus, "Better is one day in you courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts, than thousands elsewhere." She took her final breath. It was so very peaceful. I am so incredibly thankful to have known and call her mom for the last five years. She really was the perfect Proverbs 31 woman.
Mom, if you could read this, I would want to say thank you for blessing my life, giving me such an amazing husband and family to be a part of. You always had a song to share with the kids and I believe you will be looking down on all the grandkids, placing songs in their hearts for many years to come. I love you so much and wish I could have said that to you more often. But I know you know how much you were loved. Love is what held you here and loved is how you went home. Save my spot next to you in Heaven. I can't wait to meet with you again.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
So close now........
This is the blog I have been dreading. I don't even want my fingers to type these next words. Mom has hours left now. She is transitioning quickly. Her lungs are starting to fill with fluid and her breathing a bit more labored now. I look at her now knowing these are the last few days with her and I just fall apart inside. We all stood around her bedside tonight and sang her the song she always sings to the grandkids. I wish I could sing it for you all. Maybe some of you have heard her sing it.......
We love you
We love you
Sing to (insert grandchild's name) we love you
We love you
We love you
Sing to (name) we love you
We also went around and each of us mom's recited the little "poem" she also made up for each one of our kids. So in turn, we made one up for her tonight. This was a happy time. We all laughed and it was fun. After we were done, some stuck around her bedside and cried. My son was one of these. Reality is setting in with some of the younger kids. Warren (Mary's son) was also there with Mary crying. My heart broke for my son and for Warren. It's a rare thing to see these two cry.
As I write this, some of us are taking shifts to stay awake with mom and let the rest of us know if anything changes and we need to come back to the house.
Monty's three girls will be here Thursday. I pray mom can hold on until then so they can say their goodbye's.
I'm sorry if this is scattered. My thoughts are not together and I'm having trouble writing this. I apologize. I will post more as things progress.
Tara
We love you
We love you
Sing to (insert grandchild's name) we love you
We love you
We love you
Sing to (name) we love you
We also went around and each of us mom's recited the little "poem" she also made up for each one of our kids. So in turn, we made one up for her tonight. This was a happy time. We all laughed and it was fun. After we were done, some stuck around her bedside and cried. My son was one of these. Reality is setting in with some of the younger kids. Warren (Mary's son) was also there with Mary crying. My heart broke for my son and for Warren. It's a rare thing to see these two cry.
As I write this, some of us are taking shifts to stay awake with mom and let the rest of us know if anything changes and we need to come back to the house.
Monty's three girls will be here Thursday. I pray mom can hold on until then so they can say their goodbye's.
I'm sorry if this is scattered. My thoughts are not together and I'm having trouble writing this. I apologize. I will post more as things progress.
Tara
Sunday, October 11, 2009
So Sorry
Hey everyone-
So sorry it's been so long. Mom and Dad just move over here from Garden Valley on friday. So far, it has been great to all be together. Monty flew out from Oklahoma on Tuesday, Mark Hooper flew in Thursday and Matthew and Sheela drove up Friday. Mikala has extended her stay until next weekend and with that, all seven kids (plus spouses and children) are here! It's amazing to see all of us together, in one place for a common reason....... to spend what time we have left with mom.
Mom isn't doing well. Her breathing has become labored, we made the decision to put her on oxygen last night to help her with that. Sheela has been such a blessing..... for those of you who don't know, she is a nurse! Having her there has been a huge help for those of us who don't know what to do! mom is sleeping for the most part of a day most days. She is exhibiting beginning signs of her internal organs and system shutting down. Blue spots are appearing on her feet and legs which tells us things are shutting down. She's not eating a lot, and sometimes doesn't respond to questions or comments made to her unless you repeat them multiple times.
Watching this unfold before my eyes is so very difficult. As I was there with everyone last night, I stood by mom's bedside and stroked her hair. I watched everyone talking, the kids running about and thought to myself, "Wow, my kids really don't know what's going on. That they are losing a grandmother." Tears came to my eyes and I had to quickly push that thought aside. But throughout this, the closeness of the family is so vital. I realize I am blessed to be apart of the Hooper family. As I was leaving, I was saying my goodbye's and sought out Morgan, Makenzie and Bethany. I found them in a separate room, practicing a song. I was invited in and they sang a three part harmony song Morgan has been writing for Jama. I stood in amazement, listening to my nieces sing harmonies that are beyond them vocally and was wow-ed by the lyrics and feeling that came from within each one of them. As we drove home, I thought to myself, what a testimony Maxine is leaving behind. She has touched so many, taught us all so much and we all have a part of her within us. I am most grateful for this.
So, if you haven't come up to see mom yet and would like to, I encourage you all to do so now. it is my belief that she doesn't have much more time here with us..... a month at best. Thank you all again, for your prayers and thoughts for the family at this hard time. But we all know that Christ has used mom in ways we will never fully comprehend.
Blessings,
Tara
So sorry it's been so long. Mom and Dad just move over here from Garden Valley on friday. So far, it has been great to all be together. Monty flew out from Oklahoma on Tuesday, Mark Hooper flew in Thursday and Matthew and Sheela drove up Friday. Mikala has extended her stay until next weekend and with that, all seven kids (plus spouses and children) are here! It's amazing to see all of us together, in one place for a common reason....... to spend what time we have left with mom.
Mom isn't doing well. Her breathing has become labored, we made the decision to put her on oxygen last night to help her with that. Sheela has been such a blessing..... for those of you who don't know, she is a nurse! Having her there has been a huge help for those of us who don't know what to do! mom is sleeping for the most part of a day most days. She is exhibiting beginning signs of her internal organs and system shutting down. Blue spots are appearing on her feet and legs which tells us things are shutting down. She's not eating a lot, and sometimes doesn't respond to questions or comments made to her unless you repeat them multiple times.
Watching this unfold before my eyes is so very difficult. As I was there with everyone last night, I stood by mom's bedside and stroked her hair. I watched everyone talking, the kids running about and thought to myself, "Wow, my kids really don't know what's going on. That they are losing a grandmother." Tears came to my eyes and I had to quickly push that thought aside. But throughout this, the closeness of the family is so vital. I realize I am blessed to be apart of the Hooper family. As I was leaving, I was saying my goodbye's and sought out Morgan, Makenzie and Bethany. I found them in a separate room, practicing a song. I was invited in and they sang a three part harmony song Morgan has been writing for Jama. I stood in amazement, listening to my nieces sing harmonies that are beyond them vocally and was wow-ed by the lyrics and feeling that came from within each one of them. As we drove home, I thought to myself, what a testimony Maxine is leaving behind. She has touched so many, taught us all so much and we all have a part of her within us. I am most grateful for this.
So, if you haven't come up to see mom yet and would like to, I encourage you all to do so now. it is my belief that she doesn't have much more time here with us..... a month at best. Thank you all again, for your prayers and thoughts for the family at this hard time. But we all know that Christ has used mom in ways we will never fully comprehend.
Blessings,
Tara
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