Hurting and in pain and looking for hope? In times of bereavement watch, read and listen to stories of hope and recovery.
Surviving siblings are sometimes called the forgotten grievers. Brothers and sisters lose their oldest witness, their playmate, the keeper of their childhood — and the world too often expects them to be the strong one. Here’s why sibling loss is uniquely complicated, and 7 ways to honor your grief.
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Mother’s Day after loss can feel like an emotional minefield. Whether you’re grieving your mother, a child, a sibling, or anyone you love, here are 9 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with grief on Mother’s Day, honor your person, and find a quiet thread of hope on a tender holiday.
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Mother’s Day usually stirs up memories of celebrating my Mom with my brothers and sisters when we were kids- showering her with all the snuggles, handmade cards and French toast from the Betty Crocker Boys and Girls Cookbook. Nothing said I Love You like delivering fresh flowers to her (right out of her garden).🌷 This year, though, I’ve been thinking a lot about my dear new friend, Marlene, who will be navigating her first Mother’s Day since the shocking death of her beloved son, BJ. Marlene shared the heart shattering news on social media last year, “No words […]
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Grief seldom moves in straight lines. Rather, grief can be more like the ever-changing weather over the ocean or like the relentless tides against a rocky coast. Some days it is mist. Some days it is stormy. And sometimes, it becomes stone. I meet people years after a loss who share, “I know it has been a long time, but it still feels like yesterday.” Their lives have continued. They work. They parent. They show up. Yet their bodies remain braced, as if the moment of loss is still unfolding. This is where the conversation about psychedelic-assisted grief therapy begins. […]
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When someone you love is grieving, the fear of saying the wrong thing can keep you frozen on the doorstep. Here are 12 things to say to a grieving friend, 5 things to never say, and the simplest, most powerful gift you can offer when words run out.
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How many times have we heard it, or perhaps we’ve even said something like it ourselves: “Oh man, the first year after they died was hard, but I think the second year, in some ways, has been even harder.” It doesn’t seem fair, and how can it be fair that the second year of grieving can feel more challenging than the first? If and when that happens for us, it can feel rather crazy-making. Did I do something wrong? Is this normal? How can this even make sense? Good questions, and the answers to the first two are likely “no” […]
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I’ve come to believe that some souls simply aren’t meant to stay here long. And I don’t say that lightly. It’s not something I understand in any earthly way, because truthfully, I don’t. There’s no logic that can explain why someone we love so deeply could be here one day and gone the next. If there’s a reason, I wish I knew it. But I don’t. What I do believe is that we’re each sent here to touch certain lives. To love certain people. To leave imprints that carry on long after we’re gone. Maybe our time, no matter how […]
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Death is the eternal mystery, a mystery that fills our souls with both awe and terror. The consequences of the death of one’s mother is not like any other ordeal in life. Daughters are often faced with resurrecting a new life without a road map, catapulted upon the ruins that remain, while enduring indescribable emotional pain. Based on my experience of my mother’s death, and the shared narratives with other daughters, I have spoken with, this journey is both courageous and terrifying. You will regain your balance, but you will not be the same person. I have never surrendered my […]
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Monday is my brother’s birthday, and he has been gone for almost four years. I have been more emotional for weeks, and I didn’t even realize it; it hit me like a brick wall the other day. Grief is crazy like that; how it can just come in and take over like a bad storm, and you don’t even realize it. Today I got a text from his wife, in a group chat with my other brother and his wife. Asking “Is the plan still on for Monday?” I was personally unaware of any plans for Monday. So, I had […]
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Grief is part of the human experience; however, the grief of daughters whose mothers have died is significantly different than other losses. Research is needed that does not quantify or reduce the suffering women experience to only numerical findings, but includes tools for grief empowerment. According to the National Alliance on Caregiving, over 53 million baby boomers are now caring for their ailing parents, and 61 percent of caregivers are women caring for a female relative, most likely their mothers. Because caregiving is considered a “woman’s job” (i.e., unpaid), women often suffer emotionally and financially from what is referred to […]
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Grieving Who We Were Before the World Changed I didn’t need another reason to mentally and emotionally struggle. It’s what I have always known, what continues for me. There is a quiet kind of grief that doesn’t always come with a clear ending. It’s the grief for the version of ourselves that existed before Covid struck, before uncertainty became the norm, and before we were reshaped by it. We not only lost loved ones, but we lost ourselves. We were quietly expected to continue, to move forward, but not everyone has been able to do that. Long-Covid is something many […]
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Wisdom from author Bernie Siegel, MD: Dr. Bernie Siegel often reminds us that when we believe death is approaching—or when we lose a job, a home, or someone we love—we should pause and ask ourselves a simple but powerful question: What do I feel the need to do to bring myself happiness? Then, begin doing it. He believes this choice can lead to a longer, healthier life than expected. He once shared that when he would call to check on funerals he had not been asked to attend, he often learned that the patient had not died after all. Now, […]
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It is the holiday season, and in those first year or two, the pain of not having my son home for the holidays was overwhelming. What hurt most was his absence—no longer buying him his eight Chanukah gifts, not watching him light his menorah alongside his sister’s, and alongside the family menorah that my wife and I light together. Going to my in-laws’ home on Christmas was just as difficult, seeing gifts under the tree for everyone except him. Simply knowing he was not there was emotionally draining for us, year after year. Over the years, this particular pain has eased little […]
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In a New Yorker article, Tad Friend quoted a psychiatrist who had ample experience with those who vaulted to their deaths from the Golden Gate bridge. The doctor singled out a case that especially moved him: “The guy was in his thirties, lived alone, pretty bare apartment. He’d written a note and left it on his bureau. It said, ‘I am going to walk to the bridge. If one person smiles at me on the way, I will not jump’” (Tad Friend, “Jumpers,” The New Yorker, October 5, 2003, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/10/13/jumpers). Sadly, he jumped, which must mean nobody smiled at […]
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Before losing my brother Carl after a car accident, I had always believed that when we died, that was it, the end of our journey. And in the early stages of grief, it was a dark time – to think that Carl was gone and I would never see him again. After Carl’s funeral, we were faced with the daunting task of collecting his belongings. Carl’s friends were amazing and provided support beyond what we could ever have expected. They brought their trucks and trailers and helped us pack everything he owned. Words can’t convey the surreal, gut-wrenching feeling of […]
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Navigating secondary losses “Grief does not change you, it reveals you.” John Greene When my daughter Andrea died, a part of me died. My world shattered in a moment, and I stood in the ruins, with no foundation. I did not know how to breathe and could not think of living in a world without her. Losing her was devastating, but unknown to me was that Grief was going to unravel like a ball of yarn to reveal so much more. As time passed, Grief kept showing up in unexpected ways. It wasn’t just the absence of Andrea that weighed […]
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Why This Topic Matters The death of a child is one of the most devastating and life-altering losses anyone can experience. For parents, it is not only the loss of a beloved son or daughter—it is the loss of future dreams, milestones, and a sense of identity that is often intertwined with being a parent. Friends and family often want to help but struggle to find the right words or actions. Missteps are common—not out of malice, but out of fear or lack of understanding. By identifying what parents who are grieving the loss of a child need most, we […]
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The 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 […]
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The 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 […]
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Grief is Not a Neat Package I hate grieving. There. I said it. A part of me did, actually. The part that abhors the tears I shed while writing this book. But I am not the only one with parts. Your soul comes prepackaged with them too. Have you noticed the maelstrom of reactions following your loss? Perhaps maintaining concentration has been hard, as your mind keeps slipping to memories of the deceased or fears about tomorrow. Your digestive system feels wonky. Reminders of your loss spur shame, guilt, perhaps even both. Maybe you avoid crying at all costs. These […]
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The Limitations of “Let Me Know If You Need Anything” Phrases like “If you need anything, just ask” or “I’m here if you need me” are commonly offered after the loss of a loved one. While often well-intentioned, these words can serve more to relieve the speaker than to provide real help. In my five years running a nonprofit grief support program and listening to participants, I’ve learned that such offers rarely translate into meaningful support. People often say, “I offered to help, but I never heard back,” as though their responsibility ends with the offer. Why the Bereaved Struggle […]
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Norman Rockwell Moment The reason I named this short story “Norman Rockwell Moment” will become apparent at the end of my story. So, you’ll have to read it to the end to find out. As a Hospice Chaplain, there are times I’m on call overnight for several nights a week. It was early one morning when I heard my phone ringing. You see, I set it close to my side of the bed to ensure I didn’t miss a call and wouldn’t wake up my wife. A little about how I act when I’m on call: I find that I […]
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Twenty Years after the Death As bereaved parents, we need encouragement to remember and honor our children as often and as long as we wish. There is no time limit on grieving. Any time is appropriate to bring attention to the memory of a loved one. In my initial years following the physical death of my 19-year-old daughter, Melissa, unspeakable pain overwhelmed my life. Although I functioned, heartbreak ruled my existence. Ever so slowly color began to mingle with the darkness of grief. Now, twenty years after the death, the tapestry of my life is filled with peace, joy, love, […]
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A Hospital Chaplain’s Heart Working as a hospice chaplain, there’s never a dull moment. This is true for every patient who comes to our service. You pray, you say, and you do the right thing to give people peace at the end of their lives. My patients have been told they have limited time left; for some, they are more than ready to go. For others, they fight this reality. I want to share with you Lilly’s story. Sometimes, patients or family members opt out of having a chaplain visit during their stints in hospice care. There are various reasons […]
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Handling Grief Triggers Triggers are a natural and inevitable part of grieving. It is essential not to avoid them, as not all are negative. When we find ways to prepare and cope with triggers, we are honoring the lives of our precious loved ones. Triggers are anything that causes the emotions of Grief to transport us back to moments that feel as vivid as the day of loss, reminding us of our weakest point. Triggers creep around every corner and attack without warning. Have you ever been going about your day — grocery shopping, taking the kids to school, showering, […]
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The Wisdom of Age As I become older, my view of the world and the people who inhabit it has evolved. I would like to believe that growing older has allowed me to acquire more wisdom because of, in part, my own actions and choices as well as those of others whose paths I have been allowed to witness. The wisdom that I have today has also been due to the teachings that I have discovered as a result of the challenges presented by my eighteen-year-old daughter Jeannine’s death in 2003, as a result of cancer. Those teachings have allowed […]
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Nature and Grief Following the death of my eighteen-year-old daughter Jeannine in March of 2003, I embraced non-ordinary phenomena to help me develop new insights. One of the things that became clear to me was that we do survive death, and that our deceased loved ones communicate their ongoing existence to us. My willingness to understand the significance of signs and their underlying connections have allowed me to develop clarity and find my peace with Jeannine’s death. There are many individuals who don’t believe in signs or for whatever reason have not received them. However, there are different ways to […]
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The Broken Places I was watching a promotional ad on television recently for the show “Intervention” and saw a quote from Ernest Hemingway, which read: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” Actually, this quote is a passage from Hemingway’s novel: “A Farewell to Arms.” Hemingway was one of the great American writers of his time, who died in 1961 as a result of suicide. As an aside, Neil Peart of Rush wrote the lyrics to a hauntingly beautiful song called “Losing It” which in part alluded to the rise and fall of Ernest […]
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Embracing Mother’s Day without Mom Losing my mother is one of the hardest things I have gone through. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. That day, I lost the person who was my support, friend, mentor, and confidant. She was my mom, a strong, brave, and ambitious woman. I know that my strength and resilience are largely because of her. Her being such an amazing role model gave me the tools to overcome many challenges in my own life. For obvious reasons, since her loss, Mother’s Day has not been the same. The grief and challenges that […]
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Setting the Intention to Live Again That cruel knock on the door was not my first introduction to grief, but it was, by far, the most brutal. My kind, compassionate, and very handsome 24-year-old son, my youngest of four wonderful children, had not come home that night. My mother’s heart was extremely worried. But that loud knock shook me to my core, and something deep inside of me knew what it was. It was 5:30 AM. My daughter, Vanessa, who followed me downstairs to the door, was the only one home as my husband was out of town on business. […]
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Transform Trauma into Purpose Dr. Melissa Red Hoffman, an acute care surgeon at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, shares her powerful story of surviving two traumatic losses and finding meaning in their aftermath. As one of only 90 surgeons board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine, her unique perspective bridges the gap between acute trauma care and end-of-life support. A Life-Altering Loss At age 19, Dr. Hoffman experienced her first devastating loss when her father was murdered in Cairo, Egypt. He was 47 years old, on a business trip working on a pipeline between Egypt and Israel, when he was […]
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Finding Hope in The Darkness The Grief of the loss of my daughter deeply embedded itself in my soul. The loss of a child is a profound, life-altering experience. The journey through this loss is one of unimaginable pain that seeps into every cell of existence. The unbearable despair of Grief makes Hope inconceivable and feels unreachable. The weight of Grief is suffocating, making it seem impossible to see any light. Understanding Grief Grief is a whole-body experience. The harsh impact attacks a person with changes that influence us physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially, and in every way possible. Depression, sadness, […]
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In a compelling discussion on the Open to Hope podcast, hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley welcomed Julie Ryan, a psychic medium and medical intuitive, to explore the fascinating world of spirit communication and the transition between life and death. Ryan, who combines her background as a surgical device inventor with her spiritual abilities, shared insights into how people can connect with departed loved ones and understand the process of transitioning to the afterlife. From Business to Spiritual Practice Ryan’s journey into the spiritual realm began thirty years ago when she discovered Carolyn Mace’s book “Anatomy of the […]
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Create a New Vision after Loss It’s early in the new year, and social media is flooded with posts about resolutions and plans for self-improvement. However, for those who have faced a significant loss, the new year often brings a heavy reminder of loved ones who are no longer with us. It can feel as though the future holds little promise for those who are grieving. It’s important to create a new vision after loss. After losing my son, Josh, when he was 20 years old, I struggled to find joy in a new year, or really about anything in […]
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Cemeteries as Cultural Landmarks Situated on the grounds of Paramount Pictures Studios, Hollywood Forever Cemetery has served as a cultural landmark in the Los Angeles area since it was taken over and revamped by actor Tyler Cassidy in 1998. With the fires recently scorching the Los Angeles area, I felt compelled to share research I conducted on Hollywood Forever Cemetery a few years back. While homes and lives have been burned to the ground, community has strengthened, proving love is more powerful than destruction. This ongoing grieving period is crucial for the Los Angeles community, and I hope my research […]
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Death Positivity vs. Fear of Death ‘They’re in a better place.’ ‘It was their time to go.’ ‘Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.’ These statements are fillers that Americans are taught from a young age to avoid discussing death. Although every person will inevitably experience death, at a minimum their own death, the American norm of death avoidance is perpetuated in our communities without much thought to the impact it has on those grieving. These simple, relatively superficial one-liners are embedded into our conversational vocabulary with the intention of helping the bereaved, but all of […]
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In a deeply moving conversation on the Open to Hope podcast, musician and author Nate McClendon shares his transformative journey through grief following the tragic loss of his 18-year-old daughter Naomi, who died in an accidental fall from a ten-story building in February 2014. McClendon, currently serving as the community engagement specialist at Kansas State University’s Beach Museum of Art, brings a unique perspective to grief and healing through his background as a musician who has worked with prestigious organizations including the Grammy Foundation and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Evolution of Love and Understanding Ten years […]
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Valentine’s Day Memories “Random memories tell the stories of our lives…the difficult and joyous times that reveal who we are now, how far we’ve traveled, and who we’ve become because of our experiences.” Valentine’s Day dawned, and I awoke keenly aware that my first year without my husband was predestined to be an emotional one. It occurred just one month after his unexpected death. I wouldn’t be creating any new memories. Gary’s absence filled the house, and the relenting ache of early grief was overwhelming. I craved having just one more time. One more memory. Hearing his laughter and feeling […]
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The Roar of Silence is a poetry collection written in the aftermath of profound loss, when language breaks down and silence becomes the only honest response. After the death of his son, a father searches for meaning in the quiet that follows devastation. These poems do not attempt to resolve grief or offer consolation. Instead, they listen—to absence, to memory, and to the altered gravity of living on. Silence appears here as wound and teacher, as accusation and refuge, as the space where truth waits without explanation. Moving through themes of fatherhood, masculinity, inheritance, endurance, and love passed forward, The Roar of […]
A self-help book that guides readers through the grieving process after losing a loved one, offering practical tools and encouragement to find hope and joy again. Written by an author who experienced significant loss, the book helps readers understand their feelings, provides steps for healing, and encourages journaling to honor the memory of the deceased. It’s designed to be a supportive resource for navigating the overwhelming emotions of grief, including holidays and special days, and recognizing when to seek professional help. Key aspects of the book: Author’s experience: Marshall wrote the book after losing close family members, using her own journey […]
From the very first page, Grief Doodling invites action. Topics range from the benefits of doodling to why doodling is fun to doodling tips and responding to doodling prompts. The prompts, based on grief research, promote self-worth and healing. This is a hopeful book—something all grieving kids need.
Spiritual Woman is like a dear friend, at your side when needed, reliable and ready to help. From the first page to the last, this daily guide empowers you. Read it in chronological order or pick any page and start reading. Keep Spiritual Woman on your bedside table. Stick it in your backpack or purse. Give a copy to a friend or colleague. Tell other women about it too, for we’re all in this life together.
Gary Sturgis’ Surviving Grief: 365 Days a Year (A Daily Companion) is a daily-reflection grief support book designed to be read one page at a time—one day at a time. It offers gentle guidance, comfort, and perspective for navigating grief’s changing emotions, with short, easy-to-read entries meant to help readers find steadiness and hope through the year. https://tinyurl.com/SG365GSturgis
Perry started writing after the sudden loss of his son, Andrew. This book is a compilation of the writings about his personal experiences after the loss. They are about his son and other topics that have resonated with his family, friends and many followers. This book is a resource to help bereaved parents and those who care for them, to understand and deal with the loss of their children. The profits from this book will be returned to the community. Either through Andrew’s Foundation supplying sporting equipment to those who can not afford the equipment, through supporting Bereavement groups and […]
Grieving Wholeheartedly, by Dr. Audrey Davidheiser
Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley welcome Dr. Natoshia Mitchell, who discusses her experiences with adversity after losing two children—one to stillbirth and another to domestic violence. Her son Trey Sermon plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dr. Mitchell is the author of When My Soul Cried: Healing, Forgiveness and Releasing and Shaking the Feel, and she founded the Arise By Faith non-profit. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dr.-Natoshia-Mitchell_-Grief-Faith-and-Resilience_-One-Mothers-Journey-Through-Unimaginable-Loss.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Looking for online grief support? Join Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley with guest Enya Flack, bereaved spouse and actress, as they discuss Infinity Garden—a customizable virtual memorial created by Tamark Berry for grieving families. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Enya-Flack_-A-Living-Tribute-Creating-Virtual-Gardens-of-Remembrance.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Struggling with change? Join Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley with guest Dr. Katie Eastman for practical tools on resilience and personal growth after loss. Dr. Eastman is the author of Uplifting: Inspiring Stories of Loss, Change, and Growth and co-author of Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Dr-Katie-Eastman-Transforming-Life-After-Loss.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Looking for an opportunity to express your grief? Join Dr’s Gloria and Heidi Horsley and their guest Elizabeth Coplan playwright and author of Grief Dialogues: The Play and Grief Dialogues: The Experience for a timely conversation about death, dying and grief. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Elizabeth-Coplan-Conversations-on-Loss-and-Grief.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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How can embracing hope and spirituality support the grieving process? Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter, Dr. Heidi Horsley for an open and heartfelt conversation with their guest, Dr. Eric Brewer. Eric is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Transform Church Ministries. He is a covid widower, and author of From Grief To Growth; A 31 Day Journey Of Healing And Renewal Through Love And Loss. Dr. Brewer founded and leads a national weekly support group for Black widowers. His Doctoral dissertation was on; Healing Hidden Wounds: The Resilience of Black Men and the impact of their […]
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Open to Hope is an online community offering inspirational stories of loss, hope and recovery. We believe hope is the bridge between loss and recovery.
