Chou-chou loses his Granny JJ

Yesterday we were shocked by the news of the sudden passing of Jarod's mom. We are still blown away and are little-by-little realizing the ways we will miss her every day, and at every milestone in Chou-chou's and our lives.

Jennifer Evaline (Longmore) Hobbs was such a strong woman at just barely 50 years of age. She was "hearty country stock" and wouldn't flinch at anything really. She knew who she was, knew what she liked and did not like, and made sure we all knew it. You knew where you stood with Jennifer, and I admired that about her, even if we didn't always agree. What seems saddest about this tragic event is that we can't help but feel like she got jipped, that her life was cut short. Jennifer had just completed her first semester of nursing school, a lifelong dream that she pursued after her divorce from Jarod's dad three and a half years ago. She'd taken two years of prerequisites and was proud of the B she earned on her final a couple weeks ago. For a "non-trad" who'd never been to college, her story was truly inspiring.

And yet, Jennifer did live a life more complete in many ways than some who live into their 90s. She raised five boys, now grown men, a lot of the time all on her own in northern Colorado. Her boys... she loved her boys so much. They were her life for so many years, and though she recounted many a time being disappointed that #4 was another boy (poor Justin:)), by the time baby Cameron came around she was relieved: she knew how to "do" boys. And yet, even though she had all boys and you might think life could get predictable, she treated each one differently and specially and could tell you all about each of their strengths and weaknesses and likes and dislikes... like only a mother could. Jennifer lived a life rich in family and love and was already blessed with three grandchildren (and two more on the way that she was very excited about). And she got her granddaughter.

In the last couple years, we all understood that Jennifer was beginning to put herself first for once in her life, and it was clear that she was on a path to a new kind of fulfillment that many women of her day didn't get to experience. I'm happy that she got to start that path, that she saw she could be successful as a mother and as whatever else she put her mind to. Jennifer was a very bright woman.

Most of all, from my account, I know she raised a wonderful loving man that I am so lucky to spend my life with. She raised Jarod to be as strong and steadfast as she herself was, to show compassion to others, and to always keep one's priorities straight. She wasn't much into etiquette and fanciness... no thank you notes or formal to-do events for birthdays and other occasions. But that's something I actually admire about her. You always knew she appreciated your sentiment, and there was no wastefulness in her household on frivolous material things. She was a penny-pincher, as you might imagine one would have to be with five kids to raise. But maybe that's a good thing. Jarod's as easy to please as they come, and I have her to thank for that- I only wish I could say the same about myself:)

I will miss big family dinners at Jennifers, where tacos, taco salad or spaghetti were always the fare to feed the army. I will miss playing demon with her- she was quick! I will miss going up to the cabin with her. I will miss her spontaneous sense of fun, her childlike energy, and her singsongy country drawl of a voice- it was one of a kind.

And of course, I am tremendously saddened that Chou-chou won't get to know his granny, and that Jarod won't get to see the bond between his son and his mother that I know he looked forward to. She will be missed.