Stories That Inspire Us / The Author Series, welcomed to today’s podcast, Monday, April 17, 2023, Hope Reger. Hope is the Founder of her program / group, Grief 2 Hope. She is also the Author of the Book: Grief 2 Hope / A Mother’s Memoir of Devastation to Determination.
“5 Seconds That Changed My Life Forever . . . “ From the knock at Hope’s door from (2) police officers on November 17, 2016 at 6:30am, Hope knew instinctively that this was no ordinary visit. She was handed a note with a name and telephone number to call. Once back inside, she called the number and then the person on the other end answered “Greene County Coroner”. The coroner asked her name and if she was Justin’s Mother. In that “5 Seconds”, Hope was informed of the traumatic loss of her son to murder.
Stricken with a shock of unimaginable grief is an understatement. As a Mom, she thought about how she could fix it; how could she help her son - that’s what Mom’s do. The enormity of losing her son hit her like a tidal wave, the grief she felt had to temporarily be put on hold as she began to notify her other son, family and friends of Justin’s tragic passing.
Her grief journey began and is still ongoing but there was a time during the initial phase of her grief where she was angry at the world around her. It was hard - nobody would have questioned her hate, her revenge and the anger she continued to feel. She ultimately found a way to honor her son. Hope found her purpose in life through the loss of her son to murder.
That purpose is to provide positivity, inspiration, and hope to others through her Grief 2 Hope program she created in honor of her son. Grief 2 Hope is a virtual peer grief support group that allows grievers a safe space to be their authentic self with support of others who understand and know exactly what they are going through.
To connect with Hope further, please check out her website and various social media platforms:
https://www.grief2hopesupport.com
https://www.instagram.com/grief2hope2020/
https://www.facebook.com/Grief2Hope2020
https://www.linkedin.com/company/grief-2-hope
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7K12G4V
Are you or someone that you know going through a similar story? How has grief impacted your life? Please share this podcast with them and have them reach out to Hope.
Let me know what you thought of today’s episode. Also, do you have a story you want to share? Your story will inspire others as Hope’s has! If you are interested in sharing your story, please go to my website and “register as a guest”.
https://www.podpage.com/stories-that-inspire-us/
Thank you Hope: “Grief changes your entire world, it can also inspire you to change the world”. This podcast is dedicated to the love and memory of Hope’s son, Justin - “Truly” you are changing the world as these are the Stories That Inspire Us!!