John's Fourteener
Donation protected
The Why....
Inspiration comes in many forms and the desire to pay it forward becomes real.
Four years after the loss of my beloved wife Lisa, I met a group of individuals, widows and widowers, coping with the same struggles and challenges, emotions, and feelings that I was facing. This group uses a weekend of exercise and hiking as an outlet for grief and bonding.
My experience with this amazing group taught me so many lessons of how to live and love again. It is a group no one voluntarily wants to be a part of or join as a member. Yet, in meeting these fellow widows, there is an instant connection – a bond that is beyond explanation. Each of us know what it is like to have faced profound grief, deep sorrow, and a sense of despair that can cripple you getting through a day.
My daughters and I benefited greatly from the support we received from our friends, family, and community. To this day, I am grateful for all of you who were there for us and continue to be. Yet, I know that not everyone suffering a loss is as blessed as I am.
As part of my path, I want to pay it forward – to sponsor others to participate in one of these weekends. But not just any person. I want to sponsor a Gold Star widow to partake and hopefully, find solace with others. A Gold Star widow is one whose spouse was a member of our military and was killed in war. Many military families struggle to make ends meet and as a widow, they may not have the resources to go on their own.
Many of you know that I am a Veteran and served 32 years in the Army. I understand grief at a very personal level and I understand the commitment and sacrifice of a Gold Star family. My life was shaped immensely by my military service and by the loss of Lisa. I want to seize the opportunity to combine these two important things in my life and make a profound difference for someone else.
On August 15-19, 2018, I will hike to the peak of 14,200 feet to the summit of Mount Lincoln, Cameron and Democrat in Keystone, Colorado. I will hike to raise the funds for a Gold Star widow to attend an upcoming weekend. I want to give another widow the opportunity to channel their grief and boldly embrace their future.
Please join me on this journey one step at a time.
Be happy!
John
Inspiration comes in many forms and the desire to pay it forward becomes real.
Four years after the loss of my beloved wife Lisa, I met a group of individuals, widows and widowers, coping with the same struggles and challenges, emotions, and feelings that I was facing. This group uses a weekend of exercise and hiking as an outlet for grief and bonding.
My experience with this amazing group taught me so many lessons of how to live and love again. It is a group no one voluntarily wants to be a part of or join as a member. Yet, in meeting these fellow widows, there is an instant connection – a bond that is beyond explanation. Each of us know what it is like to have faced profound grief, deep sorrow, and a sense of despair that can cripple you getting through a day.
My daughters and I benefited greatly from the support we received from our friends, family, and community. To this day, I am grateful for all of you who were there for us and continue to be. Yet, I know that not everyone suffering a loss is as blessed as I am.
As part of my path, I want to pay it forward – to sponsor others to participate in one of these weekends. But not just any person. I want to sponsor a Gold Star widow to partake and hopefully, find solace with others. A Gold Star widow is one whose spouse was a member of our military and was killed in war. Many military families struggle to make ends meet and as a widow, they may not have the resources to go on their own.
Many of you know that I am a Veteran and served 32 years in the Army. I understand grief at a very personal level and I understand the commitment and sacrifice of a Gold Star family. My life was shaped immensely by my military service and by the loss of Lisa. I want to seize the opportunity to combine these two important things in my life and make a profound difference for someone else.
On August 15-19, 2018, I will hike to the peak of 14,200 feet to the summit of Mount Lincoln, Cameron and Democrat in Keystone, Colorado. I will hike to raise the funds for a Gold Star widow to attend an upcoming weekend. I want to give another widow the opportunity to channel their grief and boldly embrace their future.
Please join me on this journey one step at a time.
Be happy!
John
Organizer
JOHN CONNER
Organizer
South Hadley, MA
