Jims Celebration of Life slide shows

My last memory with my dad

This is the last Christmas that I had the privilege to spend with my dad, teacher, camping buddy, and best friend. I’ve chosen to write about this because it’s the last memory that my dad left with me, and it’s how I want to remember him.
My new wife and I thought what a fun Christmas it would be if we could have my family down to our new house in Castle Rock to celebrate with them. So we asked, half expecting to get denied knowing that my mom always has grand plans for entertaining at their house. To our surprise, they said they would absolutely love to be with us that day.
Vale and I were so exited to finally return the favor to my parents and take the load off of them for the holiday.
The day finally came. It was different than any other Christmas morning I’ve ever experienced as I’m newly married and I was in my own house. We were lucky to have Vale’s mom and her brother stay the night with us so it wasn’t as awkward to wake up Christmas morning without any parents! We checked to see what Santa brought for us in our stockings and it was time to get headed out to Vale’s Grandparents’ house to celebrate with the Skiff side of the family. They were all so happy to see us and sad that we could not stay longer. We had to get back home to meet my parents there, and Vale hadn’t even prepared lunch yet.
When we called my Mom on our way home we were happy to hear that they were running late. When my family showed up we gave the usual hugs and “Merry Christmas’s.” Then they each brought in their gifts for us. My dad did not have one as he kept his promise that he would not give Christmas gifts this year. I can appreciate that because we have always agreed that the best gift is just being in the presence of each other. We all settled in and my siblings and I caught up as we always do. I remember looking over at my Dad sitting on my couch just thumbing through our three small photo albums with the biggest smile on his face.
We decided to get the gifts out of the way so we all piled in my living room to gather around the tree. As we opened up our gifts for each other my Dad sat back and smiled as he took it all in. I always had a sense of how proud he was of all of his kids, but it was very strong at that point. At least once every other time he saw me he would say, “Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you.” My sister gave the most heartfelt gift of Christmas. Vale and I both received family pictures with homemade frames that later would have a larger impact then we ever could imagine.
After appetizers we ate Vale’s delicious stuffed pasta shells and garlic bread. My Dad was always so polite and the first one to tell a cook just how good their food was, so of course he told Vale what a great job she did. My house is not the biggest house for entertaining so we gathered around my coffee table so we could use the couch for added seating. It was a big change from my parent’s huge dining room table, but nobody said a word. Luckily this was not the end of the night. We had games to play!!
The first game we played was “Whoonew” a game in which you find out just how well you know the people that you are playing against. My Dad was smoking all of us through most of the game. I was lucky enough to pull off a come back and tied him at the end of the game. We played a couple other team games and my Dad’s team just kept winning! I talked my Dad and brother into having a Christmas beer with me called Old Chub. It was so dark that Adam was clearly not enjoying it, but Dad liked it so much that he poured it out into a wine glass so he could see just how dark it was.
It was getting late and we had a long night of fun and games. So we decided to call it. We gave out our hugs; I gave my usual bear hugs (I learn from the best). When I hugged my father I told him that I loved him. He said, ‘I love you too buddy,’ and that was it. They were off, and that was the last time I saw my dad conscious. I remember lying in bed with Vale that night and remarking just how lucky of a person I was to be surrounded by such a bright and cheery family.
My Father will be missed greatly for all who knew him and those who didn’t yet get to meet him. He was a very proud, strong, responsible, frugal, moral, and most of all happy man. He lived every day to the fullest whether he was at work or at play. He would always put a smile on your face and always have the right words to say. So whenever you think of him, SMILE.


On a final note I would like to personally thank all of our family and friends for your thoughtful cards, generous food donations, flowers, and time spent with me and my family over this past week. Your thoughts and laughter shared with us will be in our hearts forever.


In Him,
Justin James Hirt

Rad dad!

There are so many amazing things to say about my Dad, and I want to share a few of them with everyone. My Dad is the best father a boy could ever ask for.... and I am not just saying that! My Dad had an unconditional love for every single one of us kids and would do anything just to make us happy. Just four days before his accident, he helped me finish painting my bedroom. That was his Christmas gift to me, because we were not spending money this year on gifts, in order to save for better things. Just that gift alone was the best gift I could of asked for, because it was the gift of giving and it came right from the love in his heart.
I can recall many times where I have looked up to my Dad and said to myself "I want to be just like my Dad!" He was the nicest person that was not judgmental at all. If there was anyone that desperately needed help, he would sit down and talk with them to find some way to help them out. My Father was a man that could sit down with anybody and have a deep conversation with them and even change their lives. He was easy to talk to, about whatever you wanted to talk about. He was a Godly man that always helped others.
One of the things that I will miss about my Dad is the crazy nicknames he would give to us kids and even my close friends. One nickname that he gave to me was, "Tatter Head." He would always call Justin, Adam, Larissa and I his little "squiglets". He would sometimes say "Evan Michael Hirt... he's a big flirt." But my personal favorite was when he wanted a hug from me he would say, "give me a hug ya big bug." I always loved hearing that from my Dad, and I would give him a bear hug just as tightly as he hugged me. Growing up, I was always making some kind of weird noise or saying some made up word or phrase that my family always laughed at. Looking back, I know that that crazy wild side of me came from my awesome Dad! :)
My Dad has made me a lover of the great outdoors, dirt bikes, motorcycles, craftsmanship, guitars, and many more things. There is nothing more, other than God and family, that my Dad loved more than being in "God's Country." He preferred being in the mountains, something I share with him also. I love being with the family at our lot in the mountains and love everything there is to do there.
Friday the fam and I went to go pick up my Dad's ashes at the mortuary in Boulder and it was pretty difficult. This still seems like it's not happening......seems like my Father is still around. His ashes sit on the mantle to remind us that it is really true. These next few months are going to be hard knowing that my Father isn't going to be around and doing all the things he used to do. With the help of God, family and friends I know I will be able to make it through. There is nothing that I am going to miss more than my Father. Thank you very much everyone for everything that you have done for me and my family. I appreciate your love and support.

Love, Evan

Good Bye…For Now

It has been one week since my Mom and I received Adams phone call about my dad being taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I was sitting in the passenger seat when Adam called my Mom’s phone, I picked it up because my Mom was driving. Automatically, Adam demanded that he speak to her. Right in that moment I knew that something wasn’t right. All these different scenarios of what might have happened went racing through my head. I put the thought of my Dad dying in the back of my mind hoping for the best and praying that God was embracing my Dad, healing whatever was wrong with him.

That night was rough, waiting to hear what exactly was wrong. Having several different doctors and nurses introduce themselves and say “Sorry to meet you under these circumstances.” I so badly wanted for God to miraculously heal my Dad and to show the doctors just how amazing our Lord is. Unfortunately the Lord brought my Dad home. I say “unfortunately” when in actuality my Dad meeting our heavenly Father is one of the most fortunate and beautiful things that could happen. It is only unfortunate to those of us left here on earth with an empty and hollow feeling.

On Sunday the 28th the hospital Chaplin was with my family and all of our friends as we gathered in a circle around my Dad’s bed. He began to read Psalm 23 and I couldn’t help but weep and wonder how it came to this? How could the Chaplin be reading THIS Psalm….. the one often read at funerals? How could it be that I just gave my Dad a hug the previous day and now he is brain dead??

It’s hard to believe that just yesterday my family went to go pick up my Dad’s ashes. I still feel like my Dad could be in the next room strumming on the guitar or out in the garage working on one of his projects. I realize that my Dad is no longer here on earth, but in Heaven with the Lord, and that is where he should be. After all, God’s timing is perfect! I’m so grateful for the time I got to share with my Dad. He was the most amazing father a daughter could ever hope for! (I know that sounds somewhat cliché, but I mean it with all of my heart!). He always wanted to make sure that I was doing well. He would always ask me how my car was running, if I needed money, how school was going. He was always there for me. I could talk to him whenever, about whatever and I know that he would listen with and open heart and give whatever advice he could. I’m so blessed to have had him as a father. So much of the Lord could be seen in him and I will miss him until the day I am brought home.

I want to thank all of the people who have been praying and loving on us. My family is blessed and we wouldn’t be able to make it through these hard times if it wasn’t for God placing you in our lives. I love you all and pray that God blesses each and every one of you!

Much Love,
Larissa

Vale's Remembrance

I’ve known Jim for just about as long as I’ve known my husband, Justin. I remember just like it was yesterday the first time I met my future father-in-law. It was at the Hirt house in Longmont on the day of Justin and Larissa’s graduation party. Justin and I had only been dating for about a week, so you can imagine how nervous I was to meet his parents!!!! I think I got introduced to Linda in passing because she was busy being her beautiful self, playing hostess to a house full of friends and family. Justin introduced me to Jim and he, of course, talked my ear off! He was so genuinely interested in me and he just met me! When I left, Jim gave me that big bear hug that the Hirts are so good at and kissed me on the cheek and told me ‘Love ya girl’. I’ll never forget how he welcomed me into the family from the very first day. That’s a memory that I will cherish forever.

Over the next two and half years I was fortunate to spend a lot of quality time with my new family-to-be. I was able to attend a family reunion in Nashville, camping at the property in Red Feathers, choir concerts, holidays, birthday parties...there was a constant every time I was able to spend time with them, and that was the love and acceptance they had for me and expressed. Jim taught the family to be loving and accepting and God-fearing, and that showed through in each and every one of them.

Justin and I were so blessed to be married on October 25 on a beautiful day at a beautiful venue. All of our families were there which made it even more special. Words can’t explain how grateful we are that God allowed our parents to attend our wedding....it would not have been the same without any of them. It was the day that I gained even more of an extended family than I already have, and I love every one of them just like they are my family by blood!!!!

The Hirts were able to put a kink in their normal holiday traditions and allowed me to cook Christmas day dinner for them. The whole family packed into our cozy home, and we had a wonderful day of board games, laughs and food! I won’t forget sitting next to Jim during a game of catch phrase and him trying to calm down my competitive spirit...he was always so laid back (one of my favorite qualities that Justin inherited). It was such a great day and I’ll remember my and Justin’s last day with Jim forever.

The events that followed are all kind of a blur in my head right now. Rushing from a wedding to the hospital an hour away, not certain of what was really going on; worrying about my dogs who were at home (thank God for good friends, Eric). The 24 hours that we spent at the hospital seemed like an eternity; waiting for test results, waiting for Jim to wake up, hearing the story over and over again as new friends/family arrived. Justin and I drove back to Castle Rock quickly to get clothes and shower on Sunday and arrived back to the hospital to find out that Jim’s organs could not be donated...this was the end. I couldn’t believe it...everything just came crashing down in my head and it was finally real. This was really happening. I was losing my new dad, the kids were losing their father, Linda was losing her husband.

I have always had a horrible fear of death, but I think if there is anything good that comes out of this for me, it’s my realization that death is nothing to be feared. I was there as Jim died and I was surprisingly peaceful as I stood there holding onto his hand. I realized, with the help of the Hirt’s strong Christian faith, that Jim truly was going to a better place and we all will be so lucky when we get to join him. Life on Earth can be taken away at any second, but that’s ok!!! I know this and understand this, but it still doesn’t take away from the sadness I feel right now. My sadness is selfish though. I want Jim to be here to see his grandkids born; I want Jim to build a crib using his amazing carpentry skills; I want Jim to be here to see Justin’s successes as a business man; and I want Jim to be here to walk Larissa down the aisle. Three years ago I was battling with the fear that my dad wouldn’t be able to walk me down the aisle after he was diagnosed with brain cancer...I remember the pain I felt just imagining the scenario...I can’t fathom the pain of actually being faced with it. I am truly lucky and blessed that God took my dad’s cancer away so that he had the opportunity to see his only daughter marry into the most wonderful family in the world. Justin pointed out to me a couple nights ago as we were trying to go to sleep that my dad has just been promoted to being his only dad. I know he will gladly step up to the plate, and I know that is one of the reasons that God kept my dad alive. This has truly been the most difficult situation that God has put in my path, but I know that I will get through it. I have Justin by my side for the rest of our lives, until death do us part, and I will cherish every moment of my life on this earth and gladly embrace my forever in heaven.

Love you momo, dad, Thew, mom and dad Hirt, Justin, Adam, Larissa and Evan,
Vale

New Years Eve without Jim

Another day is nearly done and I have accomplished so little. This is another sad day for it is the day Jim was cremated. I cannot imagine our life without him.

We normally have so much fun on New Years eve celebrating the upcoming year with friends. Last year we were at the Schlagels house till after 2 am!! Tonight the kids and I got out of the house and went to the Outback Steakhouse with Carol and Jamie Schrader. A welcome change and time to laugh again and seek solace in our family and friends. I realize though that things will never be the same again without my Jim joking and telling detailed stories as only he did.



Now I am going to backtrack some and continue my saga from yesterday.


I believe I left off when they found an enlarged spleen which caused them to reject Jim's organs for transplant. With that being the case, that opens up new questions and wondering was there something I missed? Did Jim have another medical problem that we were unaware of?

Since they could not harvest organs, it was now necessary to make the arduous decision to stop life support. We had left the hospital for a couple hours to refresh ourselves when our nurse Seth called us back to Jim's bedside. Upon our return, Vale's Mom, Vicky, and my brother Glenn accompanied us as we surrounded the bedside in tears. Each one of the kids said their own goodbye's whispering into Jim's ear and soaking his neck with tears. I clung to Jim's arms and hands and felt the heat of his body as his temperature was now 103.7 and his BP in the 80/40's. The Dopamine was turned off and his heart in sinus tachycardia at 112. He was just a shell of the man I had known and loved all these years. The wonderful, loyal, honest, God fearing father to our 4 children. I stood beside him in disbelief thinking about all the years together, the fabulous memories we made. How could it be that we were here? We had just had that great day in Rocky Mountain Ntl. Park snowshoeing!! As I whispered into his left ear I wept uncontrollably. "Don't leave me." Kissing him on the cheek it was so difficult knowing that his brain was dead but his heart beat so strong. That big ol heart he had for everyone. He gave so much of himself to me, the kids and to those he knew. Jim was a patient man and we balanced each other so well. I continued telling him how much he was loved and my prayer for him. The inevitable came next.

Seth had us leave the room for a few moments as he extubated Jim and turned off the ventilator. We stepped back to his side, hugging, kissing, holding his hands and gently stroking him. The monitor was still on as we watched the last beat of his heart at 7:11 pm on Sunday night December 28th, 2008.

We can only cope by knowing that he is in Heaven with Jesus. Jim is without pain. He is watching over us and will forever be in our hearts and memories.

As the new year approaches I am comforted by so many loved ones and all the supportive letters, e mails, notes, cards, acts of kindness we have been shown. I have a poem to share that seems appropriate as it is 11:50 pm and midnight is near.


When Tomorrow Starts Without Me


When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me
I wished so much you wouldn't cry
The way you do each day
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And each time you think of me

Please know I miss you too
But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
That an Angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand
And said a place was ready
In Heaven up above
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I truly love
I had so much to live for
So much yet to do
It seemed almost impossible
That I was leaving you
When tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me
I'm right here in your heart.

The hour is here...Larissa and I hug and pray for our journey ahead...The boys and Vale off to spend the last few minutes of 2008 with their friends. They had already wished us a Happy New Year with big bear hugs and love. Now my bed is calling me so..
Happy New Year to all...May 2009 bring you good health and joy! Enjoy every minute of every day with those you love. You never know what tomorrow holds.

God Bless and keep you in His care.

Love, Linda

My Tearful Goodbye

I am trying to get my thoughts collected enough to share with you regarding the last few days of my sweet husbands' life. This is definitely no easy task...but a story I want everyone to know. In many ways it is easier to put into words on the computer, than repeatedly share over the phone or in person. I get choked up and the tears flow easily until it seems my eyes are all dried out. So now here is my story of the love of my life, my dear Jim's' last few days on this earth.

Never in a million years would I have guessed that this would be our last Christmas with Jim. We had a wonderful month from Thanksgiving to December 26th. We did so much together this year. I am so thankful we had 2 Thanksgivings, one early with our kids and friends in our home and one in Lansing Illinois with Jim's Mom and brother. We so enjoyed our visit and loved the fun times we spent laughing and reminiscing about old times and viewing photographs. We even went downtown to Chicago and went to our favorite Pizza eatery, Due's, from our early dating years. Sure brought back a lot of memories!!

During the month of December we had precious times together, going to my hospital Christmas party, Evan's Madrigal Dinner at Silver Creek High School, the Parade of Lights in downtown Longmont, dinners with good friends old and new. We hosted a final Christmas party on the 21st with close friends and lots of laughter. Our Christmas Eve was especially nice. Larissa made a wonderful Christmas eve dinner for us, as I was working at the hospital and had to do some very last minute Christmas shopping. I know....procrastination is my vice. Oh, and chocolate too!! I just didn't have the time this year to shop and we had made a pact that we just weren't spending any money on gifts this year due to the economy and the threat of job layoffs at Seagate. Jim, being true to his word, kept his promise. I broke that agreement though, because I just wanted to give a few things to everyone.

Christmas Eve brought us to 2 church services, at Calvary Bible in Boulder and the annual family tradition to go to the 11 pm service at Lifebridge. They were such great services!! We are always uplifted by worship. Christ is the center of our household. His love and ultimate sacrifice on the cross is the "glue" that has held us together for all these years. We stand knowing He is faithful and just. In Christ alone our hope is found....we have hope for eternal life through HIM. That night as we traveled to and from churches, we loved singing carols in the car and looking at all the Christmas lights. It truly was magical and so special to have those times together. Jim belted out those songs and harmonized with all his heart and soul. You just had to be there. Smiles


Christmas morn was sweet....watching old family videos, opening gifts and cherishing the moments at home with the kids and Elise, Evan's girlfriend of nearly 2 years. We spent the day with Justin and Vale in their new home in Castle Rock having a wonderful Christmas, playing games; Catch Phrase, Whonew, and Scene It. Of course the guys had to get some Guitar Hero in as well. Always guitars enter in when Jim is present! Even "play" guitars.

On the 26th we had a memorable day snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. This was a first for the family...except Adam, who made sure we were well equipped to handle the trek. I had given the guys aviator bomber hats for Christmas (those last minute purchases) and they all wore them that day. I was concerned that Jim might not handle the elevation or cold due to his cardiac history, but that was totally not a problem!! I was the one huffing and puffing at 10,000 feet (I should've known) and Jim was leading the pack way ahead of us. He loved every minute of our adventure and he took many photos along the way. We all agreed we would be repeat that again soon. It was such a special time, one that I and the kids will never forget!

Saturday the 27th would prove to be the worst day of our lives. Jim woke early showered and packed to go up to Crystal Lakes. He was determined to get some ice fishing in before we left for Florida for a week. You see my Mom's 80th birthday is Jan. 4th and we had planned a party for Mom and my entire family (all 6 siblings and grand kids included) He was a bit hesitant to go to Florida.... again worried about finances. He loves the mountains, and being out in the cold and snow doesn't bother him a bit. I, on the other hand prefer sunny warm beaches. We did compromise though, as soon as he got his opportunity to go up to his beloved Crystal Lake property.

Before he left, he gave me his Christmas present. He said that he was giving everyone an act of service as our gifts. Mine was to hang a kitchen towel bar that Adam had purchased. He got the task done and was off with Adam for a great day of catching trout in a frozen over lake!

Larissa and I had a leisurely day and had set out to now return a few of those last minute gifts I had purchased on Christmas eve. At 4:16 pm I received a call from a panicked Adam. He told us that Dad had fallen on the icy cold lake and was unconscious. He explained that they had spent 30 minutes getting set up in the freezing cold windy weather and after drilling 2 holes, having their buckets (used as their seats) blow away, decided it wasn't worth the effort to stay out there. After Adam made the first trip to return their gear, he looked back on the frozen lake and saw Jim laying face up on the lake downwind of where they had their fishing site and further away from the truck. He couldn't figure out why he was further away instead of heading closer toward the truck. He figures that the stupid bucket was carried away by the wind, Jim tried to run after it to retrieve it and slipped on the ice his feet going out from under him, slamming the back if his head on the unforgiving hard surface of the 18 inch ice with full momentum! The new aviator bomber hat he wore even with fur padding couldn't prevent injury. Jim sustained a 4 inch occipital skull fracture that the coroner said caused his cerebellum to forcefully snap backward then forward. This caused compression of the blood vessels to rupture. Jim was taking Plavix and aspirin for his heart so that contributed to a rapid sub arachnoid hemorrhage. He also had subdural hematomas. Blood filled his brain. A lethal head injury that caused brain death by the time he was admitted to the ER in Loveland. He had no pain, no response to any stimuli, fixed pupils with no cornea reaction. No gag no respirations and was on a ventilator. Adam tried everything he knew to do to help Jim and was very brave. I am so thankful that Adam was there with his best friend and hero. Adam and Jim have a very close bond. They are two peas in a pod! If Adam hadn't gone with Jim, he may have frozen on the ice and we wouldn't have had the time we did have to say our goodbyes. Tears are flowing now.

As we listened to the ER doctor tell us the grim news we sobbed in disbelief. How could Jim be taken from us? Why? So many unanswered questions. The next 24 hours were unreal. He was in Trauma ICU in the Medical Center of the Rockies. A two year old hospital, that recently received a world class level of care designation. And we can attest to that...His two night nurses Hillary and Alana were constantly caring for Jim. watching his vitals, urine output, and caring for us as well. We immediately called our near and dear friends, Gary and Ellen Hamor. Our church pastor JR Masteller was called and he prayed a beautiful prayer via the phone. The counselor Jeanne and Chaplin Art were there to meet our immediate needs.Trying to reach Justin and Vale, who were at a wedding in Highlands Ranch, took a bit of time but they finally were notified and arrived as soon as possible. Before we knew it Jim's room filled with more of our dear friends, Carol Schrader, Kathy York, Virginia and Frank Beggs, Steve and Laurie Hodgson, and all their kids Brie, Chelsea, Brock and his girlfriend Leah, Tracy and Elise Whipkey. We had so many calls to make! All the while prayers were being said by hundreds of people all through the night all over the nation. Praying for a miracle was our foremost hope. We all knew it would take a miracle to help Jim survive. We prayed and prayed and prayed. I was not giving up on my sweetheart of 41 years! I know that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28....a verse I have claimed for many years. I know God has no limits!


We kept a bedside vigil all night long. At 4am they did another CAT scan of his brain. Then an EEG. As daylight appeared, so did our day nurse Seth. So skilled and thorough with his care. He took meticulous care of Jim all morning as we waited for the neurologist to inform us of the test results. Even though we knew in our minds what the findings would be.... our hearts ached for him to wake up, show some signs of life. ANYTHING!!! Meanwhile friends from all over continued to pour in to his hospital room. Filling it with love and support, hugs and kind words of encouragment through eyes consumed with tears. I can't tell you how much that meant to me and the kids. Our friends are just like family to us, and have been right beside us all the way.


Dr Meredith arrived at 12:30 pm. He delivered the long awaited and dreaded news of the EEG. "No Brain Activity" We were devastated. With EVERYONE crying our eyes out we made the decision to donate his organs. I knew that Jim would want to give the ultimate gift of life. After reviewing the CT scans it was found his spleen was enlarged.

It is getting way too late....and I must get some sleep. This blog will be continued tomorrow.

May God Bless you all and Goodnight. I am forever grateful to everyone. Love and hugs Linda