Open to Hope

Feeling sad for a friend

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

2.I am 41 yrs old man. From my school days I used to like a classmate of mine. Though I loved her so much it was beyond my scope to express it. I used to love her within my own mind. Ultimately she was married to another person 18 years back and I was married later to a different woman. All went well until 5 years back when her husband died. I was shocked but stayed normal and could not meet her until recently. When I saw her personally, since then a pain started hurting me all the time. This […]

Death of a Sibling, Special Topics, Your Grief

How Friendships May Change for Bereaved

“Can’t make lunch tomorrow.  We’ll re-schedule,” said the note.  It was short, to the point and oh how it stung. It was nearly 3 months since my brother died, and this lunch with one of my oldest and closest friends was something I’d looked forward to for weeks.  With a brief email, it was cancelled — as were the next two. And so the friendship drifted, and the person who I thought would be my biggest support disappeared from my life. My story is not unique.  I’ve heard it repeated multiple times in different ways over the years.  Those we […]

Death of a Spouse

Husband’s Death, Father’s Death

Five years ago, my kids’ dad died from pancreas cancer.  At the time, I did not know what it was like to lose a parent. Both my parents were still living.  They were still married to each other and seemed pretty content. All that changed a few months ago.  My dad died.  Around last Thanksgiving, he was diagnosed with lung cancer…with bone involvement, so it was pretty serious.  He decided to take on treatment and fight this cancer.  He definitely had ups and downs, and we could all tell he was slowing down.  Slowing down…not stopping. He did his best […]

Death of a Spouse, Special Topics, Your Grief

Widowhood Means Doing Holiday Tasks for Two

Monday, November 29, 2010

The mood has changed. Not just my mood (although that can change every second, thanks to fluctuating hormone levels and no husband to yell at when I’m cranky for no reason). It seems like everyone’s mood has changed. You know…we’re pretty funny. We can’t just give ourselves a time to adjust to the fact that the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler. We can’t just sit back and relax and accept it for what it is. Nope. Because thanks to Target and Hobby Lobby breaking out the autumn decorations in June and Christmas stuff in July, […]

Death of a Child, Special Topics

What It’s Like to Lose a Child

Sunday, November 28, 2010

“Trust that you can learn from each challenge, regardless of how disturbing or painful. That is a God-given right inside of you. Invoke your right to learn from everything.” – John Morton Everyone asks what’s it like to lose a child. Disbelief How could it be?  This only happens to people you don’t know who are on the 6 o’clock news at night, in some town you have never heard of, “What a shame, how tragic,” you sincerely say to yourself as you reach for your magazine or get up to start dinner wondering if you should make a salad. […]

Death of a Sibling

Finding a Purpose After a Sibling’s Murder

Saturday, November 27, 2010

After my sister, Sandra, was murdered in September of 2009, I was pro-active in seeking help to deal with the tragedy.  I saw my doctor regularly, a family therapist and later a psychologist. I also found a wonderful support group through our local hospice. At first, I felt so weak, needing help dealing with the loss. As the weeks unfolded into months, I realized, with the help of all my support, that I wasn’t weak at all for needing help. I was strong for realizing I needed it. And even stronger for asking for help. I remember discussing in the […]

Special Topics, Your Grief

The Holidays for Suicide Loss Survivors

As suicide loss survivors, we can often dread the holiday season. Christmas music tells us to be jolly, but sometimes our grief is too heavy and we just can’t work up the enthusiasm. However, by giving ourselves permission to take care of ourselves, we take control and feel self-empowered – regardless of what the relatives may say. Here are some tips to help you along: Tip #1 – The most important thing you can do this holiday season, or at any time, is to put yourself with safe people who validate your loss. Tip #2 – Don’t feel you have […]

Open to Hope

my princess katrina

Friday, November 26, 2010

on 4/18/2008 my life changed forever i was told my 23 yr old daughter katrins was found dead on a bahroom floor in a battered womens shelter 2 days after her twin brothers daughter was born she died of a drug overdose and also left behind her 8 yr old daughter im searching for any type of support this small town i live in has no support groups please help

Open to Hope

my daughter princess katrina

my only daughter katrina died of a drug overdose on 4/18/2008 she was found on the bathroom floor of a battered womens shelter she left behind her child genesis she died 2 days after her twin brother had his first child a girl i live in a small town with no support at all please any one who experienced any cituation alike please i would love to hear from you sincerly a desperate mother

Open to Hope

my princess katrina

on 4/18/2008 my life changed forever i was told my 23 yr old daughter katrins was found dead on a bahroom floor in a battered womens shelter 2 days after her twin brothers daughter was born she died of a drug overdose and also left behind her 8 yr old daughter im searching for any type of support this small town i live in has no support groups please help