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Blueprint for a Difficult Conversation: How to Stand Up for What You Need

Posted on March 21, 2016 - by Michelle Jarvie

In my last published article for OpenToHope, I shared the letter I wish I could’ve received after my husband was killed. It focused on validation and simplifying expectations for the truly important things to do in those initial months. It also held hope: for various coping mechanisms, helping others through grief, and in someday being a mother. Today I want to share another letter with you, one that helped save a relationship when I was intensely grieving and beyond angry with the world. Written seven years earlier, it concentrates on what is helpful and unhelpful while processing loss. For me, […]

It’s Never Too Late to Grieve

Posted on March 19, 2016 - by Judy Lipson

How do I make peace and forgiveness with myself for not grieving and mourning my sisters Margie and Jane for 30 years? It is more the regrets, of years lost, of memories forgotten, of a soul missing, of dreams shattered, of a hole in my heart. Was the the pain too hard? I got used to being so alone and having no one to share my grief or my sisters with. I had no one to walk with me on a path so complex and confusing I did not know how to navigate. I also lacked understanding of being my […]

Jon Reid: Depression or Grief

Posted on March 18, 2016 - by Heidi Horsley

Dr. Jon Reid, a Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Southeastern Oklahoma State, talks about depression following grief with Dr. Heidi Horsley at the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) conference. He’s a certified fellow in thanatology from ADEC. “How do I know if I’m depressed or just grieving?” That’s a common question from those who have experienced a loss. If someone thinks they’re depressed, they might wonder if medication is part of the answer. Medication isn’t necessary for grief, explains Dr. Reid. Grief is a natural response to a loss, but it can be hard to tell if/when […]

Continuing Connections to a Deceased Loved One

Posted on March 16, 2016 - by Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley

The founders of the Open to Hope Foundation, Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley, share how they got into the grief and loss field—it’s often a story with terrible beginnings. For this mother-daughter duo, it was the death of Scott at 17 years old that catapulted both of them onto their own unique journey. He was Gloria’s son and Heidi’s brother. Gloria was already in the field of counseling, but losing her son inspired her to specialize in grief and loss. For Heidi, who was in college at the time, she quickly changed her career path to also focus on the […]

Jill Cliffer Beratta: Healing Through Art

Posted on March 15, 2016 - by Gloria Horsley

A teacher of enrichment art, Jill Cliffer Baratta has an MFA and talked with Dr. Gloria Horsley about how art can help in the healing process. Baratta lost her father, and immediately turned to her love of the arts to guide her own healing process. Her father died 45 years ago, right before her twelfth birthday. Even then, Baratta knew that art was her own best healing tool. It inspired her to keep up with her work, and it kick-started her brain to keep creating. As an adult, Baratta was committed to taking photographs of her loved ones, especially with […]

Sharon Taylor: Father Loss

Posted on March 13, 2016 - by Gloria Horsley

A professor of psychology and the chair of the Women’s Studies department at St. Martin University, Dr. Sharon Taylor, talks with Dr. Gloria Horsley about father loss. Dr. Taylor’s father died at war when she was just a few months old. This was in 1945, right at the end of the war, and during this time nobody dealt with the issue of war. As a result, Dr. Taylor was raised by a grieving mother who never had a chance to mourn. She tried to move on, and everyone in the family was sad about Taylor’s father. His body was never […]

Chris Chaplin: Supporting Bereaved Children in the Schools

Posted on March 12, 2016 - by Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley

Kids and grief are a challenge at times. Chris Chaplin is a child and family therapist that works in a Portland, Oregon school. He talks to Dr. Gloria Horsley about kids needing support and acceptance above all when experiencing a loss. A lot of understanding is required to process the loss, and there are a myriad of ways they may need to express this. Many times, kids don’t know the best way. Our roles as an adult is helping children grieve, and identifying the challenges kids face. Specifically, Chaplin recommends for young children to find their own ways to heal. […]

Taking Care of Your Health While Grieving

Posted on March 11, 2016 - by Coralease Ruff

The Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends, Alan Pederson, joins the president of the Open to Hope Foundation, Dr. Gloria Horsley, to discuss the importance of health while in the grieving process. Grief is a natural response to loss, but it can be devastating. Special guest Dr. Coralease Ruff is featured, a registered nurse, professor, and international grieving consultant. When grieving, your heart rate can go up and your blood pressure increases. You may have digestive issues, respiratory system problems, heart issues, and your musculoskeletal system can be affected, says Dr. Ruff. Physical symptoms are common, and can be dangerous. […]

Inspirational poem about puzzles by author Laurel D. Rund

Makiko Matsumoto: Grief Support for Children in Japan

Posted on March 10, 2016 - by Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley

At the National Alliance for Grieving Children conference, Dr. Gloria Horsley connects with Makiko Matsumoto from Tokyo, Japan. Last year, she went to The Dougy Center in Portland and decided to start a similar grief support group in Japan. So far, the efforts have been great. However, it’s difficult to communicate with the members and to find children who may benefit. There’s no such thing as “grieving children” in Japan, which makes it difficult to talk about grief and loss. Children may not want to talk about grief because they don’t want to worry their parents. Matsumoto’s goal is to […]

Molly Pickett: Teens and Grief

Posted on March 9, 2016 - by Heidi Horsley

Dr. Heidi Horsley discusses teens and grief with Molly Pickett, who works with the Tamarack Grief Resource Center. Pickett began her grief journey at just 12 years old when her father died by suicide. She considers herself fortunate to participate in camps at Tamarack. For her, the biggest help was knowing that she was seen. She had people who were caring and compassionate. Tina Barrett, the manager of Tamarack, saw Pickett in the camps and told her what might be helpful. Pickett’s mother was in her own grief journey, and used silence as a way to cope. Teens need to […]