Open to Hope Articles

Articles Home

Supporting a Bereaved Parent, From a Distance

Posted on February 22, 2011 - by Marty Tousley

Question from a Reader: My husband and I are dealing with his mother’s grief over losing his father (her husband) this past January. His father passed away in a wonderful hospice in New Mexico. I have visited the online grief support Web site offered by Hospice of the Valley, and although it helps calm my nerves somewhat to see that other widows are experiencing the same acute grief emotions as my mother-in law, we are at a loss for how to help and support her most effectively as she is in New Mexico and we live in Arizona. We are […]

Three Things That Should Never Be Broken… Hearts,

Posted on February 21, 2011 - by admin

As I walk into the extra bedroom at my parent’s home, I notice the little frame on the dresser. A small simple frame, it holds a note that is written in my brother’s hand. On the note is written: “Three things that should never be broken; Hearts Promises And Friendships” There is a large space between the words Promises and Friendships, a space that hints at uncertainty and deep thought. It’s a space that haunts my mind. I wish Brother had thought about that last choice more thoroughly. You see, someone who was supposed to be his friend killed him. […]

Bereaved Grandmother Turns the Corner on Grief

Posted on February 21, 2011 - by Nina Bennett

My granddaughter was unexpectedly born still in 2003. My daughter-in-law had a healthy, uneventful, full-term pregnancy. There were no indications of any problems during her labor. The medical staff was as stunned as we were when Madeline was delivered without a heartbeat. My background is in behavioral medicine, and I have worked professionally with bereavement issues for several decades, but none of my education or experience prepared me to cope with the death of my granddaughter. I also felt powerless when it came to providing solace to my son and daughter-in-law. As I felt my way like a blind person […]

Grief Teaches Us Simple Lesson: Accept Death

Posted on February 21, 2011 - by Monique Antoinette

Grief is indiscriminate of categories as to how life ends, our race, religion, gender, or any other box asking to be checked off for validation. Grief counterparts like denial, guilt, rage, craziness, plus so many other bright colored ones, will at some point fit perfectly into a box on what I call The Human Application. The most appropriate box name for this human commonality should be Griever. Imagine being able to check this box off. It would tell the world that you were in need of a time out. It would tell the world you were in need of additional […]

my mind keeps denying that my dad is gone

Posted on February 20, 2011 - by admin

well i am 23 and single i used live with both my parents my parents had been married for 30 years and no matter how much they fought they loved each other like anythin, i mean they used to talk and talk all night still.. my dad was so good lookin and he used to look so young no one could tell he was our dad mum has been always ill and he has always been running here and there for her even he used to still do my and my sisters stuff like we were little kids, he spoilt […]

When Living in Grief, ‘Keep Walking’

Posted on February 20, 2011 - by Shirley Wiles-Dickinson

Within two weeks after my sister’s death, I knew, as did my husband, that I was not in a good place. I felt like I was walking around the edge of a big black hole. One missed step and I would fall into that hole. My husband gently suggested I go see my doctor. I heeded his advice and saw my doctor the very next day. She put me on an anti-depressant and set up my first appointment with a therapist. On my first visit, the therapist and I talked about my sister’s death, the tragic way in which she […]

I miss you Kenny

Posted on February 19, 2011 - by admin

My son Kenny died at 26 on this pass Thanksgiving Day 2010. Although he was a quadriplegic after being shot in November 2009, he was still here; at times he would smile, tell jokes and crack up laughing. I am so angry at the person who shot him, and never being caught, the nursing homes for not taking better care of him and myself for finding away to bring him home. After surviving being shot multiple time, we continue to pray to God for Mercy and Grace and a miracle. Why? But, I am so glad he gave his life […]

Deaths of Husbands Bond Two Young Widows

Posted on February 19, 2011 - by Catherine Tidd

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” –Unknown My friend’s husband recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. But as we all know…it doesn’t matter how long you’ve “known”…it’s always a shock when that moment comes. We were always meant to be friends, and I think we were always meant to have a place in each other’s lives. Our friendship is unusual because in the two years we’ve known each other, I’ve never once met her husband. He had been sick the entire time I’ve […]

My Beautiful angel is at rest

Posted on February 18, 2011 - by admin

Well i dont know where to start,My beautiful daughter was only 25 she commited suicide on the 1st dec 2010.She had spoke about it over the last few years on and off but on the night before she lay down with me and told me what her plans were,i didnt want to belive so off to work i went,after a couple of hours i had to leave as i just felt sick,i got home and i found her,i will never ever forget that day,it has been 80 days today and my god im struggling.I dont know what else to say […]

Winter is Widow’s Season of Grief

Posted on February 18, 2011 - by Kim Meredith

Every person’s grief has a season. Mine happens to be winter, and therefore it includes Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, this annual holiday of love and romance will always remind me of the darkest chapter of my life. As a child, I would get very excited at the beginning of February as I prepared my Valentines for our class party. First, I went to the local drug store with my mother and selected the perfect box of assorted small cardboard Valentines. Each one had its own thin white envelope on which I carefully printed a classmate’s name. Displaying my assortment on a […]