Open to Hope Articles

Do you want to read stories of others who have been where you are? Are you looking for bereavement help, and advice? Look no further. We offer over 7,000 articles written by our Open to Hope authors.

Articles Home

Open to hope

Book Helps in Healing From Child-Loss

Posted on March 17, 2013 - by Beth Marshall

Speaking with the Heart Strings group was different than any assignment I can remember. These ladies share a journey no one would ever sign up for, the loss of a child. There are no words to describe the unquenchable sorrow their families have experienced, yet somehow in this room, I could sense there was still hope. The monthly meetings offer a safe place to talk, share pictures and honor the lives of precious children with people who understand. At Heart Strings, it’s okay to cry, but it’s also okay to laugh. I asked the group if they knew of any […]

Read More
Open to hope

Tuning In To Your Body During Grief

Posted on March 15, 2013 - by Donna Miesbach

We all have an inner guide, and oftentimes it speaks to us through the signals the body sends us – signals of comfort or discomfort. Author Tom Robbins calls those signals “yuk” and “yum.” So how does that work? Say you’re driving down the street and you aren’t sure which way to go. Listen to your body! Or if you’re in the grocery store and you can’t decide between this product or that one. Listen to your body! As we practice following that signal on the little things, we develop a trust – and a confidence – in their accuracy. […]

Read More
Open to hope

LifeLines: Using Art to Heal Grief

Posted on March 15, 2013 - by Katherine Relf-Canas

By Katherine Relf-Canas and Nina Koepcke Art is often made alone. When an artist creates something outward-facing and externalized, usually isolation is the ideal environment. But isolation isn’t always good, especially when we’re facing grief. Isolation is not good for us when we are going through tough passages in our lives. It was the urge to create community through making art that helped propel two friends, both dealing with the death of a child, to create a unique art/therapy group back before that concept was common. The artists, Nina Koepcke, and Lois Stuart resided in the San Francisco Bay Area (San […]

Read More
Open to hope

Your Grieving Style: Is it Helping or Hurting You?

Posted on March 12, 2013 - by Harriet Hodgson

Until I lost four family members in 2007, I never thought about grieving styles. Then my daughter, father-in-law, brother, and my grandchildren’s father died. I was paralyzed with loss and wondered if I would always be unhappy. Thankfully, common sense kicked in and I decided to help myself. What did I do? I sat down at the computer and started writing about grief and recovery. My articles were short, with an average count of 500 words, and posted on a royalty-free website. National organizations found the articles and posted them as well. Writing helped me so much I made a […]

Read More
Open to hope

In Grief, the Body Never Lies

Posted on March 11, 2013 - by Donna Miesbach

When I lost my husband so suddenly, I just kept going. That was what I thought I was supposed to do, so just like the bunny in that battery ad, I shifted into high gear and I didn’t stop. Of course, doing that didn’t give me the time I needed to process what had happened. Neither did it allow me to take care of my body properly, and my body was really asking for help. All the unresolved stress I was feeling was impacting my body in serious ways. Then one day, when I was about at the point of […]

Read More
Open to hope

Pearls in Prison: Mother Opposes Parole for Son’s Murderer

Posted on March 11, 2013 - by Radha Stern

My sisters, Sheridan, Michele and Kristin, have passed on my mother’s pearls to me. I wear them when I feel I need extra love and energy. I wore them to the parole hearing on July 26, 2012. The parole hearing brought up a lot of feelings, thoughts and memories my family and I have not touched for some time. I realized with help from my dear friend Jaimee Karroll that when Christopher was murdered I was in shock, traumatized and numb. Sixteen years later, I am not numb and it has been very hard. The consequences of Mark James Taylor […]

Read More
Open to hope

Here We Go: Mother Prepares for Parole Hearing for Son’s Murderer

Posted on March 10, 2013 - by Radha Stern

I was visiting with my sisters in Seattle when a certified letter arrived in our mailbox back home. I had been checking the Parole Hearing website from Seattle and nothing was showing the schedule. Getting a certified letter is always unsettling, so when my husband Gary told me about mine, I was upset. What was this about? It never occurred to me it would be the prison informing me of the date. The letter announced that the first Parole Hearing for Mark James Taylor, who murdered my son, Christopher Robin Hotchkiss, on March 21, 1996, would take place on July 26, […]

Read More
Open to hope

The Importance Of Getting Help For Your Fears And Anxieties

Posted on March 9, 2013 - by Stan Popovich

Getting professional help for dealing with your persistent fears and anxieties is the single most important step in your recovery. Many people are reluctant to get the help they need for various reasons. Making excuses of not getting the treatment for your anxiety problems will not solve the problem. Here are a few reasons on why getting help is important. Getting professional help can lead to additional insights and suggestions to your stressful problems. A professional counselor can give you many ideas on how you can manage your fears and anxieties. This is important in getting better. Most counselors and psychologists […]

Read More
Open to hope

5 Tips For Supporting A Loved One Through Illness

Posted on March 9, 2013 - by Stan Popovich

Dealing with a sick relative can be very difficult. Here are some tips on how to help a loved one who is going through an illness. 1. Learn to communicate with your doctor and loved ones. Talk with your doctors on a regular basis so you can be informed of how to help your loved one deal with his illness. When you’re at home, get into the habit of listening to your loved one and giving him advice on ways that he can feel better. 2. Take advantage of all assistance available. Join self-help groups that teaching coping mechanisms. Support […]

Read More
Open to hope

When A Friend Struggles With Depression And Anxiety

Posted on March 9, 2013 - by Stan Popovich

What do you do when someone you know has to deal with persistent fears, anxieties, or even depression? Well the first thing you need to do is to get the person to seek the services of a professional who can lead them in the right direction and give them the help they need. In addition, here are some other techniques you can use to help the person cope. Learn as much as you can in managing anxiety and depression. There are many books and information that will educate you on how to deal with fear and anxiety. Share this information […]

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2026 Open to Hope