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.