12/05/2025
*** Long Post ***
Our chaplain, Zach McIntosh, serves with dedication at Cornerstone Hospice, bringing comfort and solace to those in need at the Mike Conley Hospice House. Through his heartfelt words of love and remembrance, he creates a safe space for individuals and families to reflect on their cherished memories. Zach's compassionate presence and support are invaluable during this sensitive time, helping to foster healing and connection as we honor the lives of those we hold dear.
For those who could not attend, we invite you to share in the heartfelt message delivered by Chaplain Zach McIntosh. Below, you will find a celebration of the lives we cherish and the love that continues to connect us all. We hope this message brings you comfort and warmth as we honor the memories of our loved ones together.
"It’s an honor to welcome you to this Lights of Remembrance gathering, an evening of memory, of hope, and of love. Tonight is tender. We come carrying names and stories. We come with photos tucked into our pockets, memories whispered in our hearts, and tears that come without asking our permission. We come because someone mattered deeply, and because love does not end when breath does.
This evening, we gather to remember.
1. Acknowledging the Journey of Grief. Grief is not something any of us would choose. It comes uninvited, rearranging our days and our nights. It slows us down when the world keeps rushing forward. It makes ordinary moments feel heavy. And sometimes, it surprises us with a song on the radio, a chair no longer filled, a scent in the air, and suddenly our hearts remember all over again.
If you feel that tonight, I want you to know:
You are not doing it wrong. You are not behind. You are not alone. Grief is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith. Grief is the cost of love. And love, as all of you know, is worth every tear.
2. The Gift of Memory. Memory is one of the most sacred gifts we carry. We remember their laughter, how it filled a room. We remember their habits, some endearing, some exasperating, all unique. We remember the way they showed love perhaps through words, perhaps through quiet presence, perhaps through sacrifices we only recognized later.
Memory is not about clinging to the past; it is about acknowledging that a person’s life continues to shape us, even now. You carry pieces of your loved one with you: in the way you speak, in the values you hold, in the stories you tell, in the compassion you show. Tonight, we honor those pieces.
3. The Light We Hold. The candles we will light this evening are small, but they shine in the darkness. Every flame represents a name. Every flame represents a love story. And every flame represents a life that touched this world in a way no one else could.
In ancient traditions, light has always symbolized hope, hope that darkness does not have the final word, hope that love continues even when we cannot see it, hope that memory is a flame we can carry forward.
As you hold your candle tonight, may it remind you that your loved one’s light did not go out. It simply changed form. Now it shines through you. A Word of Comfort l. Whether your loved one passed peacefully or suddenly, whether the grief is recent or years old, each of you has walked a sacred journey. You have kept vigil, made decisions, held hands, said words you never wanted to say, and shown courage you may not even realize you had. And tonight, I want to offer you this comfort:
You did enough. You loved well. Your presence mattered. Even if you wish you had one more moment, every moment you did have was meaningful. And the love you carry for them? That is not something time can erase. Some of you draw strength from faith; some from family; some from the memories themselves. All are welcome here. Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you are held tonight by a community that cares."
