Intentional Living
The news of a terminal cancer diagnosis came as a shock to Jauwaun, a young mom who lost her own mother to cancer when she was a teen. Not wanting history to repeat itself, Jauwaun was faced with fear. Would she see her children grow up? Would they remember her? In…
Holding Hope in the Midst of Loss When April Kerner was diagnosed with end-stage ALS, her family’s world changed in an instant. Her husband, Bill, faced the overwhelming challenges of caregiving, grief, and the emotional toll of loss. Through Inheritance of Hope, he…
One Young Mom Learns What It Looks Like to Hold Joy and Sorrow After a sudden seizure led to a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, Jenae Dryden’s life changed overnight. As a young mom facing an uncertain future, she wrestled with fear, identity loss, and the weight of…
Love lives on through the legacy you create. Have you ever wondered how you can be intentional with your life? At Inheritance of Hope, we believe everyone has a legacy that matters. Whether you’re facing a terminal illness or simply want to live with purpose,…
On a cold afternoon, with a snow storm looming in the East, a group of people gathered at a meet-up event in Silver Spring, MD to discuss the launch of the Hope Hub™ DC North Metro location. Over ice cream and hot cocoa, current volunteers shared with prospective…
February 4 is World Cancer Day. For young parents facing terminal cancer, many questions and fears fill their minds: How do I tell my kids that I have cancer? Where can I find support for my diagnosis? What if I don’t get to see my kids grow up? Will they remember…
Life is busy, and finding time to read can be tough. That’s why we’re keeping it simple—just show up and listen to an audio recording of our current book. No prep, no pressure—just meaningful time together followed by a thoughtful discussion to leave you feeling…
Local community for families facing terminal illness coming soon to Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston! Hope Hub™ is coming to a city near you! We’re excited to announce that we have secured host venues in Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston—all we need now is YOU! What is Hope…
Did you know? January is Children Facing a Parent’s Cancer Month. We’re proud to join Kesem this January in celebrating Joy Out Loud: a movement empowering children facing a parent’s cancer to embrace the bright, bold joy every kid deserves. At Inheritance of Hope, we…
A new year is a new opportunity to be intentional with your loved ones. At Inheritance of Hope, we believe every moment matters and is a part of the legacy you’re building. It’s not about the size of what you do, but rather the heart behind it. Here are 3 simple ways…
A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a professional who works with medically complex families to normalize medical experiences, provide psychosocial support, and advocate for the needs of the family. The process of becoming certified is often a difficult one,…
This past month in Hope Hub™, families learned about courage. The very next week, 7-year-old Harbor started at a brand new school. She felt more prepared and full of courage, thanks to her Hope Hub™ community! She drew this picture to show her and her Mom being…
Shermia McDuffie was a mom diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who attended the North Carolina Legacy Retreat® in October 2023 with her mom and children. After hearing about the priceless opportunity to share what matters most with her loved ones through a…
Inheritance of Hope spoke with some of Holley Kitchen’s loved ones. They shared with us three pieces of advice based on how Holley lived out her last months. Holley battled metastatic breast cancer and passed away in January 2016. She serves on as a champion for…
While attending the Renew Conference hosted by Northeast Fellowship in New York, women from across the state were able to hear about Legacy Videos™. The conference’s theme this year was “Footprints of Faith” and attendees were encouraged to consider those who have…
Our St. Louis Legacy Retreat® presented by Kendra Scott happened in September! Not only did the Kendra Scott Foundation provide funds to support the event, they also brought 12 of their team to help serve Inheritance of Hope families facing the loss of a parent to…
Inheritance of Hope recently hit a milestone: our 50th Legacy Retreat®! St. Louis Legacy Retreat®, September 2024 When Inheritance of Hope (IoH) began in 2007, Co-Founders Kristen and Deric Milligan wanted to provide tools to help families be intentional with their…
CEO Roy Edgerton and his team at Analgesic Healthcare in Tampa, FL have partnered with Inheritance of Hope (IoH) for over 7 years, providing financial resources to support IoH’s Legacy Retreats®–a memorable getaway for families facing terminal illness to build…
This weekend we get to share joy and hope with families and show the love of our Lord and Savior through us. We are blessed to shine our light unto these families who are enduring pain and hopelessness. Where there is life there is hope, but where there is life there…
For adult oncology patients receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge provides a free place for them to stay during their treatments. Think of Hope Lodge as a Ronald McDonald house for adults. A cancer…
August is Make a Will Month – a month focused on legacy. At Inheritance of Hope, we encourage all to be intentional with their legacy. We are excited to announce a new tool to help you be intentional about the future. Thanks to our partners at LifeLegacy, you can…
No family should face ALS alone.Two young girls, both with a parent facing ALS, found a community of people who “get it” right in their city. Through their local, monthly Hope Hub™ program, Harbor and Morgan have not only found the sweetest friendship, but hope for…
What do a lunch lady and Hope Hub™ have in common? We probably couldn’t have answered that either until last month’s Hope Hub™ Twin Cities gathering. That evening, one of our amazing volunteers greeted a brand new family that she immediately recognized…
Lord, thank you for another day to worship and serve you. Open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the things you want us to see and know, and what you want us to do with them. Prepare our hearts for your people. In Jesus name, Amen Inheritance of Hope was introduced to me…
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Refer-a-Friend program for our Legacy Video™ service! We believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving cherished memories. Now, you can share this opportunity with your friends and family by…
We are thrilled to announce that Inheritance of Hope has received a generous grant from the Choate Bridges Foundation! This remarkable gift was made possible through the efforts and advocacy of Jen Hancock.Our team had the opportunity to connect with Jen Hancock in…
The name “Inheritance of Hope” was very carefully chosen by Deric and Kristen Milligan. Hope is an essential part of this weekend and it is an essential part of our mission as you serve families here or if you serve in other areas such as Hope@Home™ Groups, Hope…
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) volunteer Addy Crow is graduating high school this spring. While preparing to send out invitations and announcements, she wanted to share about the hope families affected by terminal illness find through IoH’s programs. Addy (left) serving a…
In our efforts to serve young families affected by terminal illness, our Online Services team recently provided meaningful resource packets to Child Life and Social Work teams across the United States. The packets included coloring pages with encouraging quotes,…
National Legacy Day™ is May 21. Inheritance of Hope family member Ann Camden shares who’s impacted her. How do you measure the impact of a friend? Our yards are lush. More than 20+ years of friendship, many spent on our knees with soil crammed under our fingernails…
Moments turn into hours, hours into days, days into weeks, and then one day we will take our last breath, equaling our lifetime. National Legacy Day™ is May 21 – a day set aside to reflect on those who have given us a legacy with the gift of their life, their…
National Legacy Day™ is May 21 and we want YOU to be part of it! Share about someone who’s impacted you and you could be featured on Inheritance of Hope’s social media. You’ll also be entered to win IoH merch and a Starbucks gift card! How to enter:…
Do you have a passion for innovation and helping make things better? We’re looking for your help in revolutionizing our inventory process! Join us for a Zoom planning session where we’ll provide a brief overview of our programs, go over our current…
If you’ve been around Inheritance of Hope for long enough, you will likely have heard of Legacy Videos™. This free offering is a personal and intentional recording where you can capture your story. It’s a precious gift for your family and friends that will last a…
Meredith “Mer” Olsoe lost her father to cancer at age 5. At that time, Inheritance of Hope was not a part of her family’s circle of support. Fast forward to today, Mer is now a young mom living with her family on a hobby farm in Minnesota and serving at her local…
Are you looking for a meaningful way to spread hope and make a difference in the lives of young families facing the loss of a parent? Inheritance of Hope (IoH) Practicum Students Mallory Font and Gabi Garcia invite you to join their “Fundraising as Ministry” project…
Do you love serving behind the scenes? Want to help Inheritance of Hope efficiently manage supplies for families and volunteers across the country? You’re invited to volunteer for our inventory counting and organizing project at our headquarters on June 15!…
National Legacy Day™ is May 21! Did you know? Kristen and Deric Milligan founded Inheritance of Hope (IoH) on May 21, 2007. Kristen faced a rare terminal illness and looked for resources for her family but surprisingly found none. She and her husband decided to create…
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) Co-Founder, Kristen Grady Milligan, may have been the best legacy-builder ever–while living with cancer, she prepared cedar chests full of notes, gifts, and videos for each of her three children. Although young when their mom passed…
Supply chain causing Santa to be a little backed up this year? High gas prices and travel on planes, trains, and automobiles got you wishing for a flying fleet of reindeer? Here’s a little perspective: 1. It’s supposed to be a “Holiday!” A break! …
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) supporter, Kathy Brice, is no stranger to the uncertainty of illness. She herself has faced a cancer diagnosis. Kathy was introduced to IoH at a friend’s gathering in her Golden Oak, FL neighborhood with IoH partner Kendra Scott. The IoH…
On March 3-6, we welcome the newest Inheritance of Hope (IoH) families to our Orlando Legacy Retreat® presented by Kendra Scott. During the retreat, families facing the loss of a parent will create lasting memories at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios, gain…
Ten years is a long time. Yet here we are. When we first lose a loved one, it is almost impossible to imagine what a decade without them would look like. In 2012, knowing she had just a short time to live, Kristen Milligan herself probably could not imagine what…
In early 2011, Kristen Milligan decided to write a Bible study. Not just any Bible study, but one that was designed to be completed over fifteen weeks and serve as an accompaniment to training for a marathon. Kristen saw a marathon as a metaphor for thriving while…
The IoH family has grown so much in the past ten years that many people never knew Kristen. Here are a few things we would like you to know. She was kind-hearted, and the picture of grace and humility. She always gave people the benefit of the doubt. She kept a…
Originally posted in October 2019, we honor Ann and the legacy she created for her family. Ann passed away in July 2024, but used her time to live purposefully and give back to others facing what she faced. I didn’t know Holley Kitchen but I visualize her face when I…
Inheritance of Hope (IoH) was founded on May 21, 2007, which means the organization has been inspiring hope for 15 years! Families from 48 states facing the loss of a parent due to terminal illness have been served to date. IoH believes that “Every Family Deserves a…
As we finish up our LiveWeak series, we thought you would be interested to hear how Kristen finished hers. You may remember that she began with the idea of providing a Bible study to go along with training for a marathon. At the time, she was weakened from surgery,…
“LiveWeak” was Kristen Milligan’s way of embracing the unwelcome truth that she was not in control. Most of us know this fact, yet we instinctively fight against it. Putting on a brave face, keeping a stiff upper lip, being self-sufficient, pushing through–all…
The old standard “How was your day?” brings eye rolls, maybe an unintelligible grunt, or a monotone one syllable response. What can parents ask to better foster two-way conversations–conversations you both want to be a part of and truly hear? What was the…
Inheritance of Hope’s story began with one family’s decision to live with intention in the face of terminal illness. Inspired by Kristen Milligan’s example of meaningful, everyday legacy-building, this post shares simple and heartfelt ways families can create lasting…
Like the Legacy Videos, this is a great way to connect with and bless your family when you’re gone…Or in my case, when you lose the ability to speak! Yesterday was my wife’s birthday. I gave her these pictures with the QR Code. When she scans…
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 is…
We bet one of these ideas will make your dad feel special! 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! Let…
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…
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 with various…
In these days of uncertainty and limited social interaction, you might find yourself frustrated by the way your life has changed over the past few weeks (or even days). Those of us with ALS or other debilitating diseases get it. But if we can adapt, you can…
While the rest of the world learns to social distance, it’s business as usual for many of our Inheritance of Hope families. There’s nothing quite like a terminal diagnosis or deadly virus to quickly scrap plans and teach necessary health saving measures. For our IoH…
While the rest of the world ho-ho-hos their way through the holiday season, those with chronic illnesses might be quietly struggling to keep everything together. Add to that the stress of decorating, attending parties and shopping for gifts and you’ve got a recipe for…
Luke Milligan, the middle child and only son of IoH Co-Founders Kristen and Deric Milligan, knows how much his mom loved him. Kristen made sure her presence and love would be felt through gifts, videos, and letters long after her premature death forced her to leave…
The gifts that I have received from my Mom following her death have been of immeasurable value, but no more so than the ones I received from her while she was alive. The true value of her gifts have come from the knowledge that she was considering me and my future…
“This is important–you should do it even if you don’t want to.” –Rebecca Milligan Rebecca Milligan has invaluable advice for terminally ill parents. Still in elementary school when her mother, Kristen, died, Rebecca is now seventeen, and can honestly say…
October 26th marks the seventh anniversary of when Inheritance of Hope Co-Founder Kristen Milligan passed away. In those seven years, her children have reached milestone birthdays, high school rites of passage, started driving, and two have gone off to college….
We can all be intentional, even in the little things. In this article, Ashlea shares 3 practical ways that you can show love to others today. Being Intentional in the Small Things There’s something irreplaceable about intentionality, no matter how small the gesture….
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming. In this guide, you’ll find 5 essential ways that you can be intentional with your estate planning. Estate Planning: Where to Begin The term “estate planning” is daunting. You are forced to think about life’s…
Hollis Malkowski has never run a marathon before, but on November 5 he will race in the 2017 New York City Marathon. He signed up late, has not had much time to train, and was warned by his avid marathon-running aunt that this was not among his brightest ideas. He…
Displaying memorabilia like photos and items that hold significance to you and your loved ones is important because it has the powerful ability to create a special and nostalgic experience. Whether during times of struggle or celebration, catching a glimpse of your…
SET ASIDE TIME TO PLAN YOUR WEEK (MEALS, SCHEDULE, ETC.) Back to school season is hectic. In order to prevent your family from unraveling, consider placing a family calendar where everyone can see it and include activities, assignments, and meal plans for the week or…
Sheryl Sandberg shared movingly about what she has learned about motherhood through grief. But how do we help someone who is grieving? We don’t know what to say. So, too often, we say nothing. Or worse, avoid. When my family suffered devastating loss years ago, it was…
Our founder, Kristen Milligan, left a profound legacy with her family and the families we serve. As we approach the second anniversary of her death, we showcase members of our Inheritance of Hope family and what legacy means to them. Jacey Lawler has volunteered at…
Our founder, Kristen Milligan, left a profound legacy with her family and the families we serve. As we approach the second anniversary of her death, we showcase members of our Inheritance of Hope family and what legacy means to them. Larisa Gjivoje ran the 2013…
Our founder, Kristen Milligan, left a profound legacy with her family and the families we serve. As we approach the second anniversary of her death, we showcase members of our Inheritance of Hope family and what legacy means to them. Larry Lanham attended our February…
Are there friends or family members whom you rarely hear apologize? Their apologies may be long overdue. Here is the problem: we have a natural tendency to gloss over what we have done wrong. Perhaps we hope that if we don’t say how self-centered or thoughtless…
“Show kindness whenever possible. Show it to the people in front of you, the people coming up behind you, and the people with whom you are running neck and neck. It will vastly improve the quality of your own life, the lives of others, and the state of the…
I received the following on a card from my grandmother and I have had it displayed next to my bed since then. It really spoke to me. Live Deep Never stop learning, playing, or finding wonder in the world around you. Live the length of your life, but live the depth…
I was once asked in a job interview what the quote I live by was and my answer was the poem “Don’t Quit.” I was thinking of the attendees of the May Retreat and realized how fitting this is for all of them. I think this is especially true for the…
My brother-in-law is a treasure for so many reasons. He is the most thoughtful and compassionate of the 3 Thompson brothers. He is an extremely hard worker and a very loyal and dedicated man. He is smart and silly. He has three daughters and a lovely wife which…
I love to do puzzles, but it is much easier if you have the box top “big” picture to guide you. Life is not like that. We do not have the “big” or the “whole” picture at any given point. We get one puzzle piece at a time and over…
With 16 families eagerly and nervously getting ready to head to Orlando in the next day or so, much is being anticipated and much is unknown. This trip will changes lives, not only the lives of the families that are attending the retreat, but also the lives of…
I am not a cat lover. However, tonight when the car in front of me accidentally ran over a cat I shivered and shreeked. I felt sad for that poor kitty and the owner who was currently ignorant to that fact that the cat was gone. Why on earth did the cat bolt out so…
“Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trashcan that rolled into the street.” It really is the little things in life that mean so…
I’ve noticed something about myself over the past few years since I’ve become a mom. I view traditions in my family in many different ways than I used to, especially ones around holidays of special significance for us. It’s like I view them through…
As a parent, one of the many questions we have in life regarding parenting stems from a desire to care for our kids from a far. If that means while we are out of town, if we are dropping them off at camp or college, if we have a life-threatening illness that could…
I was reading an article the other day that proposed “life’s most urgent question”. It was not… 1) Where is the best sale today? 2)Who is the prettiest/sexiest/wealthiest person alive? 3) What is the most lucrative career? It was…. What…
We are just a few days away from Valentine’s Day, the holiday of LOVE. When I think of parents & kids… I think “Love is Listening”. Many of you just returned home from the latest retreat in Orlando. Some of you have attended past retreats….
I recently received an email that linked to an article called “50 Economic Numbers That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe”. The article was a slide show with captions covering how badly (even worse than we think) the economy is performing ranging from…
A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?” “I wouldn’t know what to say,” the girl replied. “Just say what you hear Mommy say,”…
One day she is a normal citizen and the next day….. SHE IS A FOURTH-GRADE SAFETY PATROL!!! My 9 year old daughter is so pleased with her new status in the elementary school. This special title (AND BADGE) is exclusively for “upper class men.” It…
My father-in-law is a Chaplain in the Air National Guard. He is currently deployed to Manas, Krygystan where he is serving at the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Chapel. This Transit Center ministers to many permanent party staff and also to hundreds of service men and…
My oldest, 9-year-old Elizabeth, has always loved horses. She even chose to have a horse-themed birthday party when she turned 6 years old. Despite her love for horses, she has never actually ridden a full-size horse. Well, this summer Adam and I decided she was old…
I don’t know what we did before GPS navigation. Now we just punch in an address and go. My family even gave our system a name…”Smart Sally”. We actually stole that name from another family but we like it so it stuck. Smart Sally has led us…
When my gas light comes on I know I have another 60 miles (at least!) until I will run out of a gas. I tend to push that limit and have been known to be a little risky when it comes to keeping my tank filled. My husband, on the other hand, rarely lets his gas tank…
Isn’t it a strange thing when you find yourself on an airplane seated next to a complete stranger for several hours? Not only are you seated next to this person but your arm hairs are touching, you can smell their breath and with one false adjustment you could…