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Dressing a Sister for the Afterlife

Posted on February 20, 2013 - by Dorothy Foltz-Gray

Below is an excerpt from With and Without Her: A Memoir of Being and Losing a Twin. My identical twin sister, a psychologist, has died in Lowell, Massachusetts, from a head wound inflicted by a former patient. We have brought her home to Philadelphia, where my mother and I go to the funeral home to help prepare her body. We go to the funeral home, a Victorian house converted for the dead. My mother and I meet with the cosmetologist who will prepare Deane for a family viewing. He works in something like the back of a flower shop, cool […]

The Inevitable Question: How Many Children Do You Have?

Posted on February 20, 2013 - by Sandy Fox

On a recent cruise, I sat with five other ladies for dinner. It was not until the last night when the inevitable question came up: “How many children do you have, Sandy?” one lady asked. That has to be the most dreaded question a bereaved parent must answer. Do you count your deceased child in your total? Do you pretend they never existed? What is the best way to handle this sensitive topic? I find the best way is to just say, “I have one child who was killed in a car accident.” The room becomes quiet and uncomfortable usually, […]

The Eulogy as Love Letter

Posted on February 20, 2013 - by Janet Gallin

When we think of the kindest things we can do for a parent whose time on earth is coming to an end, I wonder how many of people think of a love letter that will serve as the eulogy. It is not easy to watch a parent weaken, and in the world of what to do to bring joy and peace of mind, we often think of physical comfort and pleasure. For me, a love letter is the best answer. A love letter, of course, is one that focuses on someone’s finest qualities, the happiest memories and the valuable lessons […]

New Year, New Mindset

Posted on February 19, 2013 - by Anne Hamilton

Since September, 2012, I have been writing a series of articles entitled, “A Forever Decision” based on my experience of losing my beloved dog Camilla. In October, I found that my Uncle Steve has terminal cancer. Uncle Steve is my favorite uncle and is one of the most important people in my life. I continued writing about coping with the grief of his impending loss, as well as day to day challenges involved in caring for him. The articles grew into a larger work of art. I hope that my writing will help others who visit the Open to Hope […]

The Grief Process: Dealing with Painful Memories

Posted on February 19, 2013 - by Harriet Hodgson

February 23rd is the sixth anniversary of my daughter’s death. I’m not looking forward to it. Just thinking about the day dredges up painful memories and images. At the time, my father-in-law was in the hospital and being treated for pneumonia. My daughter, who admired him greatly, took time off from work to be with him. She sat by his hospital bed and worked at her laptop computer. “She was here all night,” Dad declared, a statement that wasn’t true, “and she cured me.” But my daughter didn’t cure Dad. In fact, she died two days before he did from […]

Teen Questions Reaction to Her Parent’s Death

Posted on February 18, 2013 - by Marty Tousley

Question from a reader: My dad died a little over two weeks ago. He was not sick. He was caught in an undercurrent and drowned. I did not witness it but I heard the stories and have been there enough to be able to picture it. He was not an amazing dad; he worked a lot to provide for us and that’s how he showed his love. I started school the Monday after it happened (he drowned on Friday and they found his body on Sunday). I am not crying that much. I can still have a good time. I […]

Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Workplace

Posted on February 18, 2013 - by Barbara Rubel

Is it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and go to work? Perhaps you can’t pinpoint why you feel the way you do, but something just does not feel right. You are not yourself and can’t understand why your mood has recently drastically changed. Dark winter months can cause a common disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), otherwise known as seasonal depression that occurs at the same time every year. SAD is a type of depression that occurs in those between the ages of 20 and 40 with the main sufferers being women in their twenties and […]

My Grief Journey: The Truth and Nothing But The Truth

Posted on February 17, 2013 - by David Roberts

It Is What It Is I am a man who has been redefined by circumstances beyond my control. My process of redefinition started when my 18 -year- old daughter Jeannine died on 3/1/03 of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. If Jeannine were here now, she would tell me to not make her death a focal point of my change in perspective. However, it is what it is, and I can’t deny that my transformation as a human being began with her entry into eternal life. I am secure knowing that she continues to teach me in spirit, and […]

For a Widow, Valentine’s Day Evolves

Posted on February 17, 2013 - by Katy Hutchison

By Katy Hutchison — Over the years, my experience around Valentine’s Day has softened and shifted focus. The first year after my husband’s death I wanted to crawl in a hole the minute I saw that first red and pink heart-shaped display in the grocery store. On February 14th I didn’t answer my phone and avoided the efforts of well meaning friends and family to “get me through” the day. I had every reason to wallow in sadness; and I took the opportunity to feel the pain of my loss head-on. The next year, I managed to create a space […]

Poem: The Survivor

Posted on February 15, 2013 - by Brandi Reyna

Most days I am able to function Go through with my routine Get up and go and live life Just like you did Just like we did Find the beauty in life The beauty of each day And be thankful for all God has created I still think of you every day I still miss you I still wish you were here I still experience new situations and wonder what you would think about them Would you like this movie Would you like this city Would you enjoy this as much as I do Then I have days where it […]