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.  

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!

 

 

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...

 We bet one of these ideas will make your dad feel special! 

 

 

• Lots of dads are missing sports right now.  Have a ballpark or stadium-themed night with hotdogs, nachos, and his favorite game day food.  Don’t forget to wear your fan gear, and ask your dad about his favorite moments playing or watching games!
• Other fathers might be missing concerts or other cultural events. Let Dad be in charge of the playlist and entertainment for the evening--even if it means he sings along and plays air guitar!
• Write down your top ten favorite memories with your dad.
• Tell your dad exactly what you appreciate about him.
• Give him time for what he wants the most--even if it’s a long nap!

 

For Adam Hayden, “Storytelling is a pathway toward a meaningful life.”  This nugget of wisdom, shared in his speech at the 2019 End Well Symposium, drives the narrative of Adam’s every day.  Most people only think of death in the broadest of terms, but Adam, who holds a Master of Arts in philosophy, knows it is much more than an existential question.  As a four-year glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor patient, one thing Adam claims to be most proud of is what he calls his relationship with the end of life.  

 

Adam shares his story at the End Well Symposuim in December 2019 
(Photo - Katie Ravas for Drew Altizer Photography) 

It’s a friendship from the era of floppy discs and homemade scrapbooks.  Chris Douglas and Greg Loerzel met in the computer lab of North Dakota State University as aspiring engineers, and Greg’s wife Maria has proof of the many adventures they have had ever since. 

 

Chris (left) and Greg have been friends for over two decades

This story was originally posted in 2019, and we are honored to repost as we acknowledge brain cancer awareness month.  A year later, the Coleman family has continued to grow, adding two dogs, three cats, and activities for both kids, who stay busy w...