Amy’s Memorial Hoop

We are hoping to put a bench inside the Hooper’s Hollow park on behalf of our mom, Amy. 

For anyone who knew Amy, our mom, you know that she loved her Hoop, every single day.  The ‘hoop’ was almost an exact 5K - from our house down to Hoopers Hollow and back. No matter what kind of day she had - her rule was ‘you get home from work and you do not put on your comfy clothes until you have done your hoop!’ I still live by this rule.. don’t  put on your night time clothes unless you are prepared to be IN for the night. 

In a family of 5 kids... we have all had the opportunity to do her ‘hoop.’ We’ve done it tired, we’ve done it begrudgingly, we’ve done it hungover (sorry mom), we’ve done it to have long deep talks when we were in trouble. We’ve learned so much on these walks, and we will hold onto the memories forever. Now, we walk in her honor. 

Everyone thinks their mother was remarkable. Many of them are. But our mom was truly something special. I’ve yet to meet someone who knew her who wasn’t immediately affected by her positivity. In her own words, she was quirky, perky, and responsible. My sisters and I will  continue to be unbelievably cheery- and hopefully we will be a fraction of THAT quirky, perky. and responsible.  They are really important footsteps to follow in - and so we are starting small.... with her Hoop.

For anyone who ever reached the middle point of Amy’s hoop.... this bench is for you. For anyone who half-jogged trying to keep up with her.... take a load off, we’ve got you. For anyone who knew her, loved her,  take a minute and just imagine her energy. Note that she was still doing this walk deep into her chemotherapy treatments. If we end up with a fraction of her strength - it will be a success. She was passionate. She was unrelenting. She was remarkable. She was a face of unbridled energy and a force in the face of incomprehensible anguish.  We could all channel a little more of Amy’s ‘smile, sparkle, shine’ everyday.