With one week to go, the work that originally seemed far away is slowly wrapping up. Last week, I reflected on some of the professional lessons that I have learned throughout my time with Hope Hollow. This week, I want to focus on how my time with Hope Hollow has altered my personal life and approach to life. 

#1 – Value the seemingly routine moments. Recently, Hope Hollow’s co-founder, Jane, told me a story that illustrates this idea. The story surrounds a cancer patient/Hope Hollow recipient who was struggling to eat following her cancer treatment. She had requested a bowl of her mother’s potato soup, but her mother did not have access to a kitchen as they were staying in a hotel during the patient’s cancer treatment. Upon hearing this, Hope Hollow’s co-founder, Jane, immediately went to the grocery store, with the mother’s potato soup recipe in hand, and purchased the necessary ingredients. At that moment, it appeared that a bowl of potato soup was only meaningful because the cancer patient had a meal that she was willing to eat. But, years later, that bowl of potato soup is held dear by the cancer patient, her mother, Jane, and others who have heard the story. Jane’s generosity, towards an individual she had never met, provided comfort for an individual who was going through the toughest battle of her life. 

While this particular story is remarkable, it is customary for Hope Hollow. On a daily basis, Hope Hollow finds a way to provide the requested support for its patients. The lodging, meals, transportation assistance, and emotional support provided by Hope Hollow are really avenues for Hope Hollow to provide meaningful, personal support for cancer patients throughout their journey. Hope Hollow really grows to know the people that they are supporting, which makes it easy to form lasting friendships and impressions.