Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve at the Cemetary

This year, we started a new tradition. We went up to Cooper's grave, and lit candles. With Grandpa's generator, we lit Coop's little Christmas tree, and lights along the edge of the hill. We can see the lights from our home, and it helps us feel closer to Cooper.






First Christmas without Coop




We miss Cooper profoundly, but we are so grateful for each other!

Cooper's Scholarship Continued


This is the framed photo that is at Cooper's preschool. They were gracious enough to ask us if they could hang a picture of him on the wall.
Quinn and I have set up an account in Cooper's name. This will help those in need of assistance with tuition for their little preschooler. We will contribute monthly to this fund. If you are interested in donating, please contact us via e-mail at cooper10404@gmail.com.


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Funeral Transcript

If you weren't able to make it to the funeral, the link below will take you to where you can download and view the program.

Cooper's Heart

Paula Hart, a dear friend of ours, came to our home in early August. Our hearts connected and she experienced the sweet feeling of peace and reverence that resides in our home. Through her amazing talent, she was inspired to design a magnificent heart, which represents the change of heart we all have had because of Cooper's love.

We would like to share with you the sweet note that she sent to us after we received this beautiful heart:

August 13, 2009

Dear Quinn, Jana, Hunter, Carson, Kennedy, Duncan, Lincoln, and Cooper,

This whimsical, free form heart was a design I had been tinkering with for some time. Only very recently did I begin to apply it to some copper wire; twisting, bending, pulling, distressing, polishing, and transforming that simple wire into something special. Three weeks ago that wire heart was just another trial and error at the work bench.

After Cooper's accident, I searched my own heart for something, some token to share, to extend my love to all of you. On a whim, I put the two finished hearts I had on cords and threw them in my purse, thinking that they were far to simple to bring any comfort and that I possibly would decide not to share my homemade trinkets.

Upon arriving at your home, I knew I needed to share my simple gifts and when I gave Jana the heart, I found myself asking if we could call the design "Cooper's Heart". At the time I did not realize how much this would come to mean to me.

That evening in your home was one of the most sacred experiences of my life. The peace and comfort that filled me as I entered was amazing and I can only compare it to the feelings I have when I am in the temple. You were all yourselves, but there was an overwhelming feeling of love that wrapped itself around every breath. We were blessed by the invitation to stay for family prayer, and we were humbly taught as Quinn shared his testimony of Jesus Christ with a niece and nephew who were present.

This same amazing, enveloping comfort was freely offered at the funeral. There are no words to describe the spirit that was conveyed during that meeting.

To me, Cooper's heart has become a talisman. A physical reminder of who and what I have the potential to be if I choose to accept my divine heritage. It will forever remind me of the love, comfort, peace, and reverence I experienced while I was among you and the infinite love our Father in Heaven has for each of us.

Mere verbiage is far too limited to express my gratitude sufficiently for the beautiful gifts I have received from all of you. I love you, and again attempt to express my sincerest thankfulness for changing my life through your faith.

Love,

Paula Hart


You can view Cooper's Heart at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33132404&ref=em or visit Paula's personal Blog at hartofthemountain.blogspot.com where you can see Cooper's heart in the right hand column of her page.



Cooper's Scholarship


At Cooper's preschool, we decided to help others who may be in need of assistance in beginning their education by setting up a scholarship fund.

Cooper adored his school and his teacher Mrs. Shaack, and we wanted his love for the school to continue through helping others to have the same blessing.

Stay posted, we will give more information at a later date.







Monday, August 3, 2009

Obituary

Cooper Hamblin Kofford (a.k.a. “Coop”) was born October 4, 2004 and returned to heavenly surroundings on July 31, 2009. Quinn Macdonald Kofford and Jana Lynn Worsley Kofford (Orem, Utah. Married 23 years) are blessed to have been Cooper’s earthly dad and mom. Cooper is the fifth of six children. He is one of four boys and two girls. Cooper loved his sisters and brothers. He loved climbing into bed and snuggling with his sister, Hunter (13), and loved “playing house” with Kennedy (9). His oldest brother, Carson (12) taught Cooper about baseball. Duncan (7) loved playing legos and swimming with Coop. Lincoln (2) was Coops wrestling mate, car seat buddy, and “partner-in-crime.”

As his earthly family we are amazed at the depth of our love and respect for Cooper and his impact on our family. We will miss him very much. We have been and will continue to be enveloped by overwhelming feelings of love and gratitude. We are at peace—including an absolute blameless recollection of the circumstances surrounding Cooper’s last day on this earth. As a family, we have felt the love and support of our extended families, neighbors, friends and the community-at-large, and express our thanks. We have been blessed with clarity of mind and peace of heart and soul which stems from our faith in and knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s plan for all mankind and of Cooper’s progression in that plan . . . and its eternal significance for our little family.

We are certainly biased toward our son and brother and cannot say enough positive about him or his influence on everyone who knew him or came in contact with him. He was always on the go. At home, he was most comfortable outside . . .usually barefoot and in shorts (or a swimsuit)—sometimes even in the winter. He had soft, sun-bleached-blond hair that framed his perfect face and little body and accentuated his amazing deep blue eyes. His two huge dimples (one in each cheek), tan complexion, perfect annunciation of every word and syllable, and his sweet voice (combined with his unique twang) are part of what made him Cooper. He loved to giggle and to make others giggle with him. He loved swimming, riding his bike (training wheels triumphantly removed in May), going to Navajo Lake and Kanab, Utah, and eating otter pops like they were going out of style. He loved taking his brothers for self-made adventures into “Randy’s field” or to Betty Jo’s “bumpy road.” He loved chewing gum—which usually only further accentuated his perfect little teeth, ear to ear smile and deep Hamblin dimples. He loved to snow ski, going “faster” in the water tube at Lake Powell, and sleeping wherever and whenever he chose. He loved all of his friends, cousins, aunts and uncles and would interact and immediately engage anyone. He also loved both sets of grandparents (Cree-L and Ila Jean Kofford of Bountiful, Utah, and Steven and Cheryl Worsley of Provo, Utah) and the horses, kisses, Christmas treats and unconditional love they showered on him. We will miss such things as hearing him yell-back “I Love You” as he ran off to play. We will also miss kissing his soft puckered lips, his refusal to eat anything healthy, and his causing havoc in church. We will miss holding his hands (even though the rest of him wouldn’t hold still), riding bikes to go get snow cone treats, and just playing and laughing together. If you knew Cooper, you experienced a bit of heaven on earth. As parents and as his family, we are grateful to have been blessed with Cooper. Because of our convictions toward Jesus Christ, we absolutely know—with no doubt whatsoever--that we will be reunited with him someday.

There will be a family greeting from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2009 with funeral services beginning at noon. Both will be held at the LDS Hillcrest 8th Ward building located at 1035 South 800 East, Orem, Utah. Interment will immediately follow at East Lawn Hills Cemetery in Provo. In lieu of flowers, we have asked that donations be made to the LDS General Missionary Fund or Primary Children’s Hospital.

Letter from Hunter

August 1st, 2009

My Dear, Sweet, Little Cooper:

October 4, 2004 was the day we welcomed you into the world. I was so excited!! I loved and still love you with ALL of my heart! I remember the moment I first held you. I had never felt anything so special, and so precious in my life. I could not believe that I was lucky enough to call you my brother!!

I remember the nights that you would come down and sleep with me because you were afraid, or you were lonely. How I will miss waking up to your Tan, Warm, Little body! Even though you are not here to talk to me, or snuggle with me when you have a bad dream, I feel you! I am sure I will have plenty of experiences where I can “Feel you.”

People say death is a bad thing, when really, all it is, is someone you love leaving their body, and leaving you. Because of this tragic event, I have become so much closer to my Heavenly Father, My Family, The Spirit, and YOU!

I will miss you so, so much, but there is no fear! I know I will be able to see you again!! I know you are in a better place. I know you have looked into Jesus, and Heavenly Father’s eyes, and said… Please watch over my family… Please let them know that I am ok… Now what can I do to serve?

I love you more than words could ever explain! And there are many people that feel the same way! I cannot wait to see you on the other side! Don’t grow too much ok!?

I love you and I will miss you!!

Love,

Your Sister… Hunter!

P.S…. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Cooper Hamblin Kofford

(to view in full screen, double click on the slide show and click on "full screen")

Saturday, August 1, 2009