2 Years: Sorrows and Smiles
Selfie of Inhora executive director, Miles, with a blurred back yard and trees (and his wire repaired eyeglasses)
Founders Reflections After Two Years
Bless.
It’s been two years since I said “Yes” to opening a social model hospice home in Albuquerque. I had no idea what I was getting into. How beautiful it would be. How painful. How powerful. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
Inhora has seen your sorrows. It has seen your smiles. And it has seen both at the same time - I think of the family members who hugged us, thanking us for being there for them and for loving their loved one.
I couldn’t have imagined this journey, especially the stories I’ve been honored to be intertwined with - most of all the 40 Guests that we’ve care for from April to today. But also the volunteers, visitors, families, and donors. Every person who has done so much as thought of us, said a prayer for a Guest, and even those who oppose our adamant stance of honoring life to natural death (including our vocal position against MAID/physician assisted suicide). Or those who feel we’re wasting resources on those nearing death since they have little life left.
Each and every one of you are appreciated, honored, and loved - you are a part of Inhora’s story. You are part of my little story. I bow my head and my heart to you.
From being the “new kid on the block” that was sometimes met with hesitation and other times disbelief - to offering second to none care for those in their last days to weeks of life. Over the last few weeks I’ve been wondering why the 22 hospices we support keep telling us that we are the best end of life option. A few people have helped me realize the answer: our hearts are in it. We aren’t here to make a buck. We aren’t here to look good.
We’re here because we believe that our community deserves better than an understaffed, impersonal institution. We’re here because you and your neighbors have better things to think about when a loved one is dying than whether or not you can afford humane care for them. We’re here because those who are living their dying are human - and in my book, that’s enough to be worthy of love regardless of life choices and circumstances up to this point. And we’re here for those who are afraid of being a burden, afraid of dying alone, afraid of suffering, or afraid of losing independence - we are here especially for you, every step of the way.
And we’re just beginning.