It’s not hard to imagine Bekka Adam as a mermaid--yes, you read that right--a mermaid.  Once you hear this award-winning belly dancer talk about her philosophy, it is easy to see how magical thinking has led her to a place of generosity, because Bekk...

Inheritance of Hope was founded on May 21, 2007, and we mark this anniversary with a national celebration of legacy-building.  If you are not familiar with our story, IoH was started by Kristen and Deric Milligan after Kristen was diagnosed with a ra...

“Legacy Builder” describes Martha Tofteland perfectly.  Not only did she help her late husband Ryan leave tangible evidence of his love for their young children, but she donates monthly to Inheritance of Hope so that other families might access the same resources that helped them.  The Toftelands attended an IoH Legacy Retreat® to California when their children were just six and three years old.  Nervous about how sensitive topics might be introduced to their kids, who had not yet heard their dad described as “sick,” the Toftelands found that IoH gave Ryan courage and tools to begin the heartbreaking, yet vital task of creating legacy items for Finn and Liv, now ages nine and six.

 

The Toftelands hold on to smiles like these from their IoH Legacy Retreat® in 2018. Ryan passed away 18 months later, in February 2020, at the age of 40.

Facing yet another Friday night “in?”  Squares on your calendar a little too blank?  Kids whining “I’m bored” over and over?  Inheritance of Hope can help!

 

 

In 2017, Amy and Andrew Thomas attended an in-person Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat®  with their three-year-old son, River.  Amy was first diagnosed with breast cancer when River was just one, and then re-diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer two and a half years later.  Until their retreat, Amy did not know any other young mothers with a terminal diagnosis, and Andrew had not met other male caregivers with children still at home.    

The Thomas Family found Hope in NYC

How can we continue to support a family after their loved one has passed away? At Inheritance of Hope, our goal is to purposefully be with those left behind, to walk alongside those who grieve.  We know we could never fill the emptiness that remains, but we also know this space still beautifully holds memories and much, much more.  We acknowledge the loss just as we celebrate life and love.  

Our son died many years ago, long before the isolation of the pandemic.  My family and I were embraced with support in every way.  Embraced with hugs, handshakes--the kind where they shake with their right hand and their left hand squeezes your arm, and all those face-to-face conversations over coffee or lingering lunches where friends shared their empathy with warmth and concern.  They asked how we were doing and wanted to know.

 

 

Raising teenagers is difficult enough.  Trying to do so alone is downright exhausting.  Add in the complications that come along with a pandemic, and the fact that single parenting is a result of losing your spouse, and well, things could seem near impossible.  Some of our IoH dads are here to tell us how they are coping after being widowed, all within the past 18 months.  It’s not easy, but they are doing it, and doing it well, with hope.  

 

Read more to hear single parenting perspectives from Bill Burch, William Nobles, and Julio Peralta.

Who has been to a family reunion with former NFL players, the author of a beloved young adult adventure series, award-winning musicians, and THE Soul Surfer? We have!

 

All that was missing from our Inheritance of Hope eReunion were those extra pieces of your great-aunt's famous pie and her overzealous cheek pinches.  We even had a treasure hunt!

 

Breakout sessions ranged from yoga to financial planning and everything in between. Just as with our Legacy Retreats®, we had three goals: to help families make precious memories together, provide community, and give families facing the loss of a parent tools for what they face.  

 

Missed a session because there were just too many you wanted to attend? We will be sharing select video recordings soon! 

 

If home is where your family is, don’t forget your IoH family is always right there with you-- connect with us, and join the momentum.  Make your #GivingTuesday page, share your IoH story, and don’t be a stranger--we want to see you all again before our next reunion!

 

Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton shared the five key principles she uses to ADAPT to any challenge

 

 On Father’s Day, Inheritance of Hope celebrates our dads.  Like any family, we think our dads are the best!  We asked a few for their thoughts on being a father, or what they consider to be the most important advice they offer their children. Here i...