Grace Eulaine Hughes

The life and times of Grace Eulaine Hughes.
What a Beautiful ride?
Grace was her name and she totally lived up to the name. Grace was one of five children (the middle one) Two older brothers and two younger sisters. Grace endured some tragic events in her younger years, her father died when she was nine. Her mother worked long hours to provide for the family. Being the oldest girl it fell upon her to step up and care for her sisters. She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, and assisted with homework, she became their mother. That tragic event shaped who she would become. When she was twelve, she met her soulmate. Being so young, who would believe it was a forever love? They married out of high school and had three children all a year apart. She had her hands full for sure. But then tragedy would strike again, her mother was killed in a car accident. Devastating to say the least. Her youngest sister was only sixteen when Grace took her in and became her second mom again. Grace grieved but still took care of her family. She was a nurturing caregiver and mother. Never faulted, cried behind closed doors. She would smile and make you believe everything was okay when it wasn't inside. She was a beautiful soul with an infectious laugh, before she was thirty, she had two more children. She raised five children as a stay-at-home mom. When her youngest went to school, Grace didn't know what to do with herself and went back to work in the food industry. She landed a job for the Dearborn Schools. So, she surrounded herself with food and children again. (Imagine that) She would remain in that position until retirement. She didn't just raise her five children; she was a mother to all her children's friends as well, she fed them too as well as scolded them. Her children grow up seeing love and affection between our parents. The way they looked at each other was so beautiful. Everyone who knew them could see it. It made you want to believe in love. At the time when the grandbabies started coming- Twelve in total (and yes, she mothered and disciplined them as well). During that time of her life, her mother-in-law had dementia and moved her into their home and cared for her. Her five children never found their soulmates and ended up coming back home on and off for years, her door was always open and she would do her best to mend our broken hearts and get us on our feet again. Grace and Ronnie loved to dance- didn't matter if it was in the kitchen, on the street, or in a swimming pool. Music played and they were reaching for each other. This wasn't a period of time; it was throughout their entire time. They started taking dance classes, then two of their daughters took dance classes with them. What great memories. They raised 5 children on one salary. But mom always made sure we had plenty of gifts at Christmas time and took family trips every year. I often wonder how she did it, and what she sacrificed on herself to make that happen. Then the great grandbabies came into the world thirteen in total. She would cook and care for them whenever she got to see them. Later there was a great great grand baby. The love of her life had dementia and became her number one priority. Even though he was sick they still had love and devotion for each other. When he passed, part of her went with him. Again, she carried a heavy sadness in her heart with a smile on her face. Grace has faith in God and heaven and longed to join him and they knew they would be together again. But she remained active even though she had a lot of medical problems- she would remain active. She was a stubborn woman when she set out to do something there was no changing her mind, even if it meant the death of her. In her last years of life, she made many road trips when she should have been at the hospital. She wasn't going to miss those grandbabies' weddings. A few months ago, before she died, she found out she had a great-grandbaby who lives in Utah. She wasn't leaving this world without meeting him. The problem was she had a respiratory issue and the mountain of Utah was the last place she should go, but she was stubborn and determined to get there. Doctors, Family, and Friends all tried to talk her out of it, but we went anyway and she was so glad she did. Grace knocked on death's door many times and made recovery on pure will. Her love for her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren was her driving force. She needed to be a nurturer and a mother her entire life. We were all blessed to have her as a mother. She made an impact on everyone who knew her. She made us all who we are today whether you were blood or not. We belong to her and her love was abundant for us. She will be missed so much and even though our hearts are forever broken we will all put on our happy faces just knowing she is dancing in heaven with her soulmate and we know who will be cooking for from now on our Lord (God) in heaven- boy, is he in for a good treat! Our mother was the best mother and nurturer. Spread your heavenly wings momma, just as you spread your wings on the earth. Love you dearly.