Hopper Family Values

  • Do not let fear or superstition keep you from leading those you love out of the darkness. All of us sometimes stumble and fall - it's our family and friends who help pick us up and lead us to the right path.

  • Strive to be honest, honorable, and courageous.

  • Always be the best person you can be.
    Don't worry if you sometimes fail.
    Just brush yourself off and try again.
    God forgives you and loves you anyway..

  • Every day, without your permission
    The world changes because of something you said or did.
    Your duty is to try to make those changes for the better.

  • Never run or hide from your problems,
    They will consume your spirit.
    Face them squarely and resolve them.
    Your goal is to bring peace and happiness to your family.

  • Try to leave a place better than when you got there...
    (Yes, both you and the place.)

  • Good is where you find it,
    Evil is what you make of it...

  • At the end of life, happy memories have value,
    Sad or angry memories are just a waste of time...


I asked my children often, from a time when they were too young to understand:
"How will a person know when they are grown up?"

"When they can stay out and play after dark."
"When they can drive a car."
"When they get married."

Finally, when they were in their late teens the answer came:

"When you can accept responsibility for your actions."

That's the answer I was waiting for...

I'm an old man now and I've learned a lot since then. I know the answer.
We are never "grown up". There is always more to learn.
We are continually "growing up".

We stop growing up when we die.

 

The children were each paid ($25.00 I think)
after they memorized the poem "Desiderata"
I suppose inflation might have increased that reward for 4 grandchildren...

Legacy...