Tiahna Hoff

I traded in my "Princess" tiara for Angel wings on Friday, July 21, 2006, at 9:38 PM. I was born on Sunday, October 2, 2005, at 7:21 PM at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND. I was so excited to enter the world and meet my big brother Cameron that I came early at 34 weeks. Even though I was little, Dad and Mom took me home from the hospital just two days later. I was loved from the first moment Dad and Mom knew about me and if it all possible, I was loved even more when I entered the world. I was born with lots of dark hair and my Daddy's cute little nose. I was such a good baby for Mamma. I was so good that big brother felt it was his responsibility to wake me up and have me watch him play. He loves me so much, but it wasn't always that way. When Mom and Dad told him about me, he didn't even want to hear about me and that he would have to share me with Mom and Dad, but look at what all he gave up for me! He not only shared Mom and Dad, he actually let me have them all to myself for seven months while I was in the hospital in Minneapolis.
You see, I was diagnosed with AML/ALL leukemia or what I always called my "yucky cells" on December 19, 2005. Prior to my diagnosis, I had severe reflux, ear infections and what was considered a broken arm. However, once I was diagnosed with leukemia, the doctors realized that all of these symptoms were part of my leukemia. I was "Life Flighted" to the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital at Fairview in Minneapolis on December 19, 2005 with Mom and Dad. Cameron went to live with my auntie and uncle - the Toay family. My life was never the same. I never felt the sun on my face, the rain in my hair, the sand and grass in my toes and never saw the stars in the sky. Even though my life was confined to a hospital room in which I could only move about three feet because of all the monitors and tubes, I so enjoyed the little things like when Mommy would blow on my feet, catching my mobile with both hands and stopping it and smiling at anyone who entered my room (but only if they talked directly to me would I smile right back at them). I enjoyed getting a bath and laying in bed and playing with Cam. I enjoyed dancing with Mommy, watching TV with Daddy and I enjoyed Daddy's kisses (but only when he shaved).
I liked playing with my cousins and when Auntie Dawn and Uncle Brycie would spend time with me; they would make me laugh and take my picture. I really liked looking at books and having people read to me; I especially liked my music books and having Mommy sing to me. I liked to use my microphone, although sometimes I liked to eat it more than I liked to use it to sing. I liked to play with my hands and put them in my mouth and I could do tricks with my tongue. My favorite toys were my puppy and my glow worm that big brother gave me for Christmas. So you could say, I enjoyed the very simple things of life - mostly just interacting with people and smiling at them.
My favorite book Mommy sang to me was a book about the story of Jesus. Mommy and Daddy always told me about the love Jesus has for me and continues to have for me. My mommy was crazy, she always sang "Silent Night" to me even in the summer. One of my favorite songs was "Jesus Loves Me". Mommy and Daddy sang this song to me as I was leaving this earth. Even before I was born Mommy and Cameron sang "Kumbayah" to me when I was in Mommy's tummy. Daddy and Mommy always told me when they couldn't hold me in their arms that I was being held in the arms of Jesus. I'm even sure I felt His tears a few times. So even though God took me to Heaven when I was very little, he must have needed a "Precious Angel" to be with Him in Heaven.
I hope I left a little bit of me with all of you. In Heaven, I will be joining five brothers/sisters that never made it into the world, as well as my Uncle Shawn and Grandma and Grandpa Nitschke. If I could leave you with something, it would be to smile at the simple things in life and enjoy the smiles you receive as much as the smiles you give.


Leaving you with my smiles,
Your "Princess" now "Angel" Tiahna


Tiahna Dawn Hoff is survived by her parents, Dulcie and Tim Hoff, rural Moorhead, MN; a brother, Cameron at home; and grandparents, Robert and Linda Hoff, Perley, MN.


Visitation: Wednesday from 6 PM to 8 PM with a prayer service at 8 PM,
Hope Lutheran Church North, Fargo.


Funeral service: Thursday, July 27, 2006, at 2 PM,
Hope Lutheran Church North, Fargo.


Burial: Landstad Lutheran Cemetery, Perley, MN.