September 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Heritage Days: Recharging Hope and Recharging Togetherness
The Hope Town Square was buzzing with activity all three days. I am unsure of the total number of people and doubt if there could possibly be a way to determine that number, but I suspect it was a record or very close to it. Of course, the weather is always a factor, and it was fantastic. Food booths were extremely busy, with some running out of food, which is certainly an indicator of a very large crowd. Former CEO of Heritage of Hope for many years, Michael Dean, reinforced those points when talking with him.
I spent hours at our HSJ Online booth in the shelter house and had one positive experience after another. Time after time, I was uplifted by observing volunteers serving their not-for-profit organization and by families and friends gathering and enjoying: the company of one another, delicious food, shopping at booths, uplifting music, the pioneer village, the Sunday service by the Hope Ministerial Association, the flyover, and, of course, the parade of around 100 entries. From my booth, I noticed many taking advantage of the fall backdrop in the shelter house and snapping pictures and memories of smiling faces, some with their pets who did not always wish to cooperate.
Throughout each day, I gave away a lot of HOPE Always & Forever bracelets stressing how hope should definitely be found in Hope, Indiana. Heritage Days certainly presented evidence of much hope.
I also talked with a lot of people, some that I did not know and many that I did. Don and Patsy Harris, longtime residents of Hope, expressed how much they appreciated all the sidewalks within the square, and I am aware of much planning that went into that project. It is always a pleasure to visit with former students and their families. One conversation with a former student, Lisa Kimberlin, centered on her child, Ashley, who entered this world with spina bifida. After 64 surgeries and much mother care and love, Ashley is walking against all odds.
Afterward, I was thinking of how Lisa and Ashley still had smiles on their faces despite all the challenges in their lives. I will not forget their smiles, and I will not forget all the smiles during Heritage Days. A smile is recharging!
As Pastor Andy Kilps stressed in his inspiring message Sunday morning, let us recharge hope in ourselves as well as others every day, and our community and world will be a better place. When working with fifth graders at Hope Elementary, a former principal, Mr. Michener, shared with our staff that it takes 13 positives to erase one negative. So let each of us strive hard to stay positive in our recharging efforts.
