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SubscribeIn this powerful episode of the Open to Hope podcast, Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley welcomes grief advocate Melissa Kraus Shelly for a heartfelt conversation about death, resilience, and the human capacity to heal. Melissa opens up about her personal experiences with loss and the deep emotional terrain that comes with grief. With honesty and compassion, she shares how facing death—not just as an end, but as part of life’s narrative—has shaped her understanding of hope, strength, and connection. From the rawness of sorrow to the quiet moments of rebuilding, Melissa’s insights offer comfort to those navigating their […]
Read MoreNeed some tips on how to stay hopeful after multiple losses? Join Dr’s Heidi and Gloria Horsley and their guest Bobbie Milne bereaved mom and spouse for advice and support. Bobbie is the author of Not My Andrew and a coordinator of Eastern Pennsylvania region for The Compassionate Friends. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bobbie-Milne_-Maintaining-Hope-After-loss.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Read MoreThe Healing Touch of Nature In the immediate aftermath of the unimaginable loss of my 24-year-old son, Eric, from a car accident, I felt broken and lost. The pain in my chest and stomach were relentless and I had no appetite. My hands shook so much it was hard to write anything that was very legible. I was making my way through each day in a fog. My soul must have guided my body to keep doing what it does, one breath at a time, one step at a time. Some moments in the day I was stoic, other moments […]
Read MoreThe Sounds of Grief Since my mom died, I’ve been cataloguing the sounds of grief. So far, I’ve documented five. Sound I. My immediate, acute grief had a specific sound. You might recognize it. If you’ve ever balled up a soft object, buried your face in it, and screamed with all your might, this particular grief sound will carry a note of familiarity. I didn’t make it in time to say goodbye to my mom in the hospital room. So I said it later, while she lay on a slab in the morgue. When I got home, I walked into […]
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