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

The Halloween Graveyard

Posted on October 28, 2012 - by Tom Zuba

The other day, while mindlessly driving down a narrow, fall-colored, leaf-filled neighborhood street, I noticed that Halloween decorations were beginning to appear.  Pumpkins.  Ghosts.  Witches.  And then the graveyard. I slowed down to take it all in.  The Halloween graveyard. This particular family had elaborately constructed a very real-looking cemetery complete with a spider-webbed decorated iron fence, an ominous looking entry gate and more tombstones than I cared to count.  I smiled a little and shook my head.  Innocent and ignorant I’ve come to call them. Twenty years ago my response was different.  Twenty years ago, my wife and I […]

Read More
Open to hope

Still With Us: Son Visits Through Signs

Posted on October 27, 2012 - by Debra Reagan

The plans were set for a 9-day adventure with my sister. The excitement and anticipation were building. I had to pack carefully as our travels would cover different elevations and therefore different temperatures. The plans were to cover many miles and to experience as much as we could. After hours of traveling by plane and shuttle, I finally arrived at my sister’s house. The time had come and our excursion would begin the next morning. It has been over 7 years since Clint’s death and I often find myself speaking in a prayerful way to the heavens in hopes that […]

Read More
Open to hope

The Old Tree Keeps Memories of Boys Grown or Gone

Posted on October 27, 2012 - by Debra Reagan

The Old Tree There is an old tree that stands as a giant in our back yard. This tree stood tall on this land years before we built our home. I am thankful to the stranger that planted it. This giant sleeps through the winter winds and comes back to life each year. In the spring its branches hold the homes of many small creatures. Years gone by, the roots doubled as hidden recesses for plastic Easter eggs. This majestic tree still provides cool refreshing shade during the hot days of summer. A tire swing once hung from the mighty […]

Read More
Open to hope

Why Do People Say Hurtful Things?

Posted on October 26, 2012 - by Melinda Richarz Lyons

I learned a lot after I lost my husband, and one of the things I learned is what not to say to someone who is grieving. We are all different, but I found it hurtful when people would say things like “Oh you will see a reason for this someday.” Maybe that would be comforting for someone else to hear, but I found those types of comments very unsettling, to say the least. Our emotions are turned upside down after a terrible loss, and in my case I know I was overly sensitive. But maybe the reason words like that […]

Read More
Open to hope

Resilience After Natural Disaster

Posted on October 20, 2012 - by Sara Perry

    Posted by Sara Perry at 5/29/2011 1:33 PM | Healing After Loss: A Matter of Resilience “The resiliency of the people here in Missouri and across the south is one thing that’s impressed me the most.” (Richard Serino, FEMA The Washington Post, 5-24, Section A, page 8).   You have probably heard, read, or seen about the tornado that mowed down about a third of the city of Joplin, Missouri, on Sunday, May 22nd.  According to an Associated Press article on 5-27-11, the Joplin tornado was the deadliest on record since records started being kept in 1950. More than […]

Read More
Open to hope

‘I Want My Life Back’

Posted on October 20, 2012 - by Sara Perry

  “I want my life back.  And if it’s not happening now, I want to know when.”  Kenichi Suzuki   (Chico Harlan, The Washington Post, A14, Sunday, April 14, 2011).     The earthquake and tsunami in Japan hurt and killed countless people, destroyed homes, neighborhoods, and towns.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, a nuclear crisis followed in the wake of the two natural disasters.  Survivors who lived closest to the Fukushima Dalichi nuclear facility were required to immediately evacuate.  Others who lived a bit further from the nuclear facility were told to stay inside.  Others who lived still […]

Read More
Open to hope

Daughter’s Fungal Meningitis Scare Causes Anticipatory Grief

Posted on October 20, 2012 - by Harriet Hodgson

Last spring, my younger daughter had surgery to relieve nerve pain in her back. The surgery took about five hours. My husband and I supported her emotionally before surgery and afterwards. Though our daughter’s pain abated, it didn’t go away. She walked like a person in pain, leaning to one side, and progressing slowly. Her physician recommended injections to relieve her pain and she had a series of them. When we learned of the fungal menningitis outbreak we were worried. Thankfully, her doctor’s office called our daughter and said the injections she received weren’t contaminated. But last Friday the doctor’s […]

Read More
Open to hope

Finding Courage to ‘Do Something About It’

Posted on October 17, 2012 - by Chasity Glass

It was a blur of words, a daze of sentiments. Collecting my sadness, I closed my eyes. I looked inside myself trying to find a way to trust God again. I was mad at Him for leaving me behind. Yet, I prayed anyway and prayed honestly. Poppy, give me strength. I took a deep breath. Amen. Then shuffled my way to the front of the church. “Most of you know Anthony was an amazing writer. He was a great kisser too, but that’s not what I’m here to tell you about.” The church giggled. “I’m going to read an e-mail […]

Read More
Open to hope

A Forever Decision, Part 5

Posted on October 16, 2012 - by Anne Hamilton

A Forever Decision, Part 5 I am beginning to remember things about my daily life with my dog, Camilla, that give me pleasure. When she lost her sight, I would walk her up and down the straight sidewalk in front of our house. When we came to a step, I would say, “Step,” and stop her. Then I would reach down and take her paw and pat the top of the step so she could get oriented. Then we would walk on the steps. I feel a warm swelling in my heart when I remember it. To think that I […]

Read More
Open to hope

Mark Ireland Recaptured Joy After Loss of Son

Posted on October 15, 2012 - by Kathryn Williams Raths

Mark Ireland learned how to embrace joy again after suffering the loss of a child. He shared, “My biggest life challenge has been the death of my youngest son, Brandon, in January, 2004. I think it’s fair to say I have overcome the challenge of that painful event, seeing that I lead a fulfilling life and have recaptured joy—something that initially seemed impossible. I still miss Brandon’s physical presence, and occasionally shed tears at unexpected times, yet I’m usually able to keep my focus on happy memories.” Mark continued, “In terms of my spirituality, I’d say this affected me in […]

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2026 Open to Hope