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What Doesn’t Kill Me…Makes Me Surrender

Posted on March 24, 2011 - by Christine Thiele

In the years since my husband died, many times I have heard the phrase: “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” I’ve been thinking about that lately and am not sure if I agree. There are so many different endings I could add to the phrase that would fit better for me…what doesn’t kill you…only nearly kills you…or what doesn’t kill you…you wish would kill you…or what doesn’t kill you … only brings you to your knees and beats the crap out of you…all of these have fit my life since Dave’s death. There are the positive endings too…what […]

I Miss My Kaila

Posted on March 23, 2011 - by admin

My daugher passed away 7 mos ago. A poorly performed homicide investigation was done and closed. Kaila, a beautiful, energetic, strong, caring, dedicated 1st time mom,decided to go chill with a few friends. She kissed me wednesday on her way out. We spoke several times that day. At 18 she was very responsible and since going to school, working, taking care of her son and taking care of me as I live with stage 3 cancer, she decided to have some “Kaila time”. She had wanted to come pick up her son for the night and i explained that i […]

Widows: Is it Time for Us to Tune Out?

Posted on March 23, 2011 - by Catherine Tidd

Is it just me…or does it seem like the world is going to heck in a hand-basket? Earthquakes, nuclear explosions, tsunamis, idiots in government. I hear even that sweet, young man, Charlie Sheen, is having issues. Everything that is going on in the world today is enough to overwhelm anyone if they really let it sink in. And I feel like, as widows, when we let something sink in…it sinks. We’ve had ringside seats to the fragility of life and that little mental picture is something that will never go away. When we see disaster, we’re picturing the family members […]

Writing a Book With Deceased Son

Posted on March 22, 2011 - by K. Paul Stoller

With the publication of my son’s book less than two weeks away, the cat will be out of the bag, and it will be known that less than two weeks after his passing (in 2007), I was getting contact messages from him. Two years later, I started writing the book that he wanted to pen; therefore, I would say I have a rather unusual perspective on grief. And while I am a physician, I don’t claim to be anymore of an expert than anyone else. But it did provide for an experience that is worth sharing. First and foremost, my […]

Spring Challenges Bereaved Mom to Find Hope

Posted on March 21, 2011 - by Amy C. Maddocks

Springtime is upon us, along with all the excitement of new growth, new life, and new beginnings. But spring doesn’t hold such new hope and life for everyone. Those who have endured the death of a loved one don’t always welcome the new seasons. My son died in mid-winter, so when spring came around, I scoffed at all of the new beginnings around me. It’s easy to get caught up in feelings of anger, resentment, and isolation. But it’s much harder to embrace change, learn from it, grow from it, and make a new normal. For me, it took time, […]

Grieving With Help After My Son’s Suicide

Posted on March 20, 2011 - by Jean Williams

We were not left alone after our son, Joshua, died by suicide. People from across the states took the time to listen and some cried with us. It would take pages to mention them by name, but because of who he was to Joshua, I’ll chose one. After Joshua’s memorial, when the hall emptied out and the doors locked, Dana, Joshua’s childhood friend, stood with my husband and me and asked questions. “Why do you think Joshua did this? What was his frame of mind like before it happened?” And other such inquiries. What Dana did from then on was stay […]

My brother

Posted on March 19, 2011 - by admin

My brother was taken from me in 2010. I am finding it difficult coming to terms with never seeing him or hearing his voice again. I try to hide my grief and upset from those around me but when I am on my own I cry as i think about all the times we spent together and what he will miss out on in the years to come. People say that time heals but at the moment I dont believe that anything will make this easier for me. Nothing will ever be the same again for me – any happy […]

In Barrens of Grief, Hope Still Blooms

Posted on March 19, 2011 - by John French

Losing a child is like falling into a fathomless pit, a deep well of sorrow that leaves an enormous void in the center of life. One moment, you are on top of the world, an instant later you are plummeting into the deepest depths of despair. Tumbling like a stone into utter desolation. Where sorrow pours out in a cascade of memories and mixes with the deluge of tears. The pressures are immense, and the solitude is unbearable. Since my son Brandon’s death in August of 2009, I have been struggling to pull myself out of this dreadful hollow. But, […]

Dad took his own life

Posted on March 18, 2011 - by admin

I grew up basically alone with my daddy. We didnt have much but man did i idolise him! He was my hero, my safety net and my protector. He was all I actually had as I was not close with my 2 sisters because of the huge age gap between us and my mother was not a factor in our lives. However throughout my growing years my dad suffered seriously from depression. One day he would be on top of the world and the next down in the dumps. but i still loved everything about him! when i turned 15 […]

OTH Writer Challenges Time Magazine Article on Grief

Posted on March 18, 2011 - by Suzy Yehl Marta

Recently, TIME magazine published an article, “New Ways to Think About Grief,” by Ruth Davis Konigsberg and it listed several myths on grief. Open to Hope contributing writer Suzy Yehl Marta, founder of Rainbows For All Children, wrote a letter to the editor, copied here: Dear Ruth, Thank you for your recent article, “New Ways to Think About Grief” on Jan. 29. I know you write frequently and in depth on grief, including in your blog and book, The Truth About Grief. Because you touch so many hearts and minds on this topic, I would love the opportunity to share […]