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Holding Space is a forthcoming hospice care home in the home of Gabriel Inton and Erik Iverson in West Asheville. We send monthly updates as the project progresses, and we invite you along with us. If you wish to me removed from the updates, please scroll to the bottom and click “Unsubscribe.”
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August 2018
Since our last update, Gabriel gets trained as an End of Life Doula, Erik pitches in as an on-call gravedigger, and cabinets for the renovated studio kitchen have been delivered!
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Gabriel is broadening and deepening his knowledge by participating in additional classes and trainings. He attended Center for End of Life Transitions’ (CEOLT) Advance Care & After Death Care Directives to work through the process, contemplate, and fill out his own wishes. He also attended an End of Life Doula Training through International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) in Raleigh. The many tools and topics in these courses have already infused themselves into his life and work.
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He continues his work as a Hospice RN at the VA, where they recently welcomed a small group from Asheville Threshold Choir to provide comfort through song to veterans nearing the end of life. Hopefully this is just the start of many collaborations between various groups in Asheville that provide support around death and dying. Up next is the Home Funeral & Death Care Midwife Training again through CEOLT later this month.
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Digging his new side gig
Through new friendships and connections, Erik has become an on-call gravedigger at the Carolina Memorial Sanctuary in Mills River, NC. In accordance with the guidelines for both Green Burial and Conservation Burials, graves are dug 3 feet deep instead of 6 which allows for the nutrients in the body to actually benefit what is planted above. Graves are hand dug, so no heavy equipment impacts plants or rolls over graves. As earth is removed when digging graves, it is removed in three distinct layers and replaced in reverse order, thus allowing for the earth to re-establish more quickly.
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New Studio Kitchen!
With the new flooring makeover featured in last month’s update, we were hesitant to reinstall the early 90’s cabinetry. We decided to order new maple cabinetry which was just delivered and scheduled for install later next week. Pics next month!
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Monthly Potluck Aug 15th!
Our recurring 3rd Wednesday potluck happens again this coming Wednesday, August 15th from 6-9pm at our home at 34 Blue Ridge Avenue in West Asheville. Bring a dish and a beverage of choice and enjoy meeting friends, neighbors, and colleagues. As always, this is a family-friendly affair. No pets, please.
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Finally, come bid your farewells to this majestic, 100+ year old Shingle Oak. Rare in this area, it is supposed by experts and historians that this tree may have been planted by Rutherford Platt Hayes, president of the Appalachian Forest Reserve and son of the 19th President of the United States. The developer who owns the front yard is slated to clear the land and begin breaking ground in the next week or two. We are saddened by the loss of grand trees and green space, but grateful for the home that we have.
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Thanks so much for your continued support as we work to make this dream a reality. We hope to see you soon!
In Solidarity,
Erik Iverson & Gabriel Inton
Holding Space
34 Blue Ridge Avenue
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)414-8086
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