Open to Hope Articles

Articles Home

Loss of Child Makes Mom Appreciate Life Even More

Posted on December 19, 2010 - by Vicky Bates

There was a study in Denmark that said people who lost children were 18% more likely to get cancer. They think it is the stress of loss. I was one of those people. Friends were shocked to hear I had breast cancer. “That poor woman, first she loses a son and now she has breast cancer.” The fact that I wasn’t upset baffled them. Once you lose a child, nothing upsets you and nothing is too monumental to overcome. This is what’s true for me…every experience in life occurs, as it should. There are no mistakes or accidents. Losing a […]

my daughter and my best friend was killed

Posted on December 18, 2010 - by admin

my daughter was killed by her husband she married 2 weeks prior to her death that horrible night in nov.4,2009. her murderer took thier roomate hostage held him with agun for 12 hours he finally gave himself up at 5p.m. in the morning i just finished the trial about 2 months ago this is the hardest thing i have ever been through in my whole entire life i miss my daughter every day of my life i cry for her alot even though her murderer got life in prision that still does”nt bring my daughter back the pain from how […]

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2010 - by David Roberts

The pain of grief tends to surface with great intensity during “milestone” events. Birthdays, anniversaries and holidays are typical events that are associated with our grief journeys. The intensity of grief is usually highest for many during the first year that these milestone events are experienced. However, people will experience pain of varying intensity during these milestone events beyond the first year. There is no timetable to resolve grief and in many cases; journeys are lifelong. Experiencing pain at any time during the process is to be expected. Under normal circumstances, preparing for any holiday can be stressful as well […]

Bright Spots in the Midst of Pain

Posted on December 17, 2010 - by Kimberly Wencl

I was numb as I sat in the chair between my husband and my father. I could hear the funeral director talking. I could see his lips moving, but nothing was registering in my mind. Even breathing was difficult. In the past twenty-four hours, life as we knew it had ceased to exist. Our oldest daughter, twenty-year-old Elizabeth, had died of smoke inhalation from a fire in her duplex just a few blocks from the University of Minnesota, where she had just begun her sophomore year. Two of her roommates also died with her. How can this be? Liz is […]

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2010 - by Deborah Tornillo

Christmas lights sparkle Ornaments shine Rudolph’s nose so red Have I gone blind? Tears no longer blur My memories of you Why, this Christmas Do I feel joy too? The past few years Without you here Felt like I was drowning My heart ached so real. Everything I see And, everything I do A Christmas gift of memories Of the years spent with you. Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2010 Author, 36 Days Apart http://wwwdeborahtornillo.com

Each Holiday Brings New Elements of Grief … and Hope

Posted on December 16, 2010 - by Christine Thiele

As the holidays approach, I can feel the tension in my neck begin to build. I begin to anticipate how this year will look. What will we do? Who will be around us and will I make it through again? I’m an anticipator. I stressfully anticipate and imagine all that could go wrong, all that could go right and any of the possibilities. I am hopeful. I am sad. I am grateful and I’m angry…all rolled up into one big holiday stress ball (just put a ribbon on me and I’ll be ready to go). I begin to plan and […]

10 Tips for Surviving The Holidays After a Loss

Posted on December 15, 2010 - by Julie Siri

The Holidays are stressful: There are presents to be purchased, crowded stores, extra traffic, financial burdens and social obligations. If a person has experienced the death of a loved one, this seasonal stress is greatly magnified. Death brings about many changes that will affect the holidays. Perhaps your loved one always carved the turkey or prepared a traditional dish from an old family recipe. Patterns and rituals will be different this holiday season. There will be an empty chair at the table. Holiday cards may not have their usual cheery message, and how do you sign them. Even if people think they have been […]

Poem: Across The Waves

Posted on December 15, 2010 - by Dr. Jane R. Westerfield

Across the ocean’s waves, around the world Your message of sorrow came to me No matter that we’ve not met face to face, my Dear Friend, Through the written word, I know your heart as you know mine. Across the ocean’s waves, around the world I grieve with you and share the pain of your Loved One’s loss In the midst of such sorrow, we both know because of our Faith That God’s unfailing Grace is ever present. Across the ocean’s waves, around the world The graces of your Loved One’s life will continue to bless others Through you and […]

Poem: A Christmas Reflection

Posted on December 15, 2010 - by Douglas Colthurst

Is this day of joy to be while standing ‘fore my Christmas tree the holidays are filled with grief for many more than my time’s brief but they lend space to introspect contemplate what’s to be set and what’s to change despite one’s fret take, step down from merry-go-round produce a little smile for me malice gone from thy brow only to return anow but not for now, no not for now a respite to be for all to see God forbid its peace to stay yea, longer than these few days of joy and peace for man’s long plight […]

Multiple Meanings for the Pietà

Posted on December 15, 2010 - by Kate McGrath

Art and music have a way of touching me in a way that words do not. I have always found much solace in seeing brilliant colors like cerulean paired with subtle hues of baby blue. So too have I been comforted upon hearing brilliant tones highlighted by subtle changes in volume. One of my most favorite works of art though, is Michelangelo’s Pietà. A statue originally commissioned for a cardinal’s funeral monument, which shows the Virgin Mary holding her son Jesus after his death. While I prefer Michelangelo’s Pietà – because of its simplicity and elegance, I find the image […]