My husband of 12 years died 10 months ago. I am looking toward Thanksgiving with much trepidation. My husband always baked and carved the turkey, who will do it this year…What have people done to cope with the holidays, any advice?
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Just read your link about holding hands, I didnt realize until I read that – how much that is missed. We too always held hands and they fit just right….I dont think there would ever be another hand that will fit so perfectly. Holding hands helped me feel better, safe, and loved. Jimmy had a motorcycle accident 2 blocks from my house on may 13 2008 – he was in hospitals and nursing homes for a torn spine until sept 11 2008 – the day he came home after much therapy , he learned how to walk again with a […]
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I spotted her from the parking lot as she dashed into Wal-Mart that afternoon. I hurried to the entrance hoping it was my friend. She stood alone in the main aisle, head slightly down. She hesitated, glanced left and then right, seeming uncertain as to which direction to go. Then, in a burst of decision, she pushed the shopping cart at mach speed, straight ahead. I recognized that push. I remembered that walk. I tasted that familiar curdle of anxiety in my throat again. I knew it had to be one of her first shopping trips since her husband died […]
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The fall and winter holidays can be particularly difficult for bereaved families. Marty Tousley is a psychiatric nurse and certified bereavement counselor. In her article, Getting Through the Holidays, she says, “Holidays can create feelings of dread and anxiety in those who are bereaved. The cliched images of family togetherness and the often unrealistic expectations of a season filled with picture-perfect, joyful gatherings can cause tremendous stress for those who are not grieving, let alone for those in the midst of the painful, isolating experience of loss.” The first, and most important thing is that it is perfectly normal and […]
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This year Veterans Day, Nov. 11, marks the third anniversary of my husband’s funeral. And as I got ready to hang the flag out front, I recalled the special sensitivity and kindness of my consultant at Shalom Memorial Park and Funeral Home, in Arlington Heights IL. On Nov. 9 that year, as our family was dealing with the details of death, he telephoned. “Did you say your husband was in the United States Marines?” he asked “Indeed he was,” I answered. “Well, since the funeral will be on an American national holiday, I believe the Corps will be happy to come to the cemetery to […]
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The leaves fall in clusters from the huge branches overhead laying a thick crimson-orange blanket over my yard. School has been in session for a couple of months now, and special family celebrations are fast approaching. Holidays, birthdays and other special occasions are a time when faith, family and friends are what matter most. Bereaved families with children have the challenge of redefining their family celebrations while grieving. It is not uncommon for families to question whether they should participate in their special occasions or just skip it. Non-participation and denying the surviving children an opportunity to take part and […]
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I hugged my dear friend one more time, and began the gloomy drive back home to Delaware. The day was dark with torrents of rain. Blurred headlights passed to my left, while the traffic lights overhead valiantly flickered through the fractured glass that had become my windshield. With my heart aching at the loss of someone dear to me, the poor visibility mirrored how I now viewed life – through a distorted lens. It seemed as if the whole world was enveloping me in tears I was determined not to shed. A quick glance at the clock on the dashboard […]
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Last weekend, we had a free movie weekend from some of the pay movie networks. I love this! I can watch all the movies I want and since I can’t afford pay movie channels anymore, it feels like such a luxury. Being a couch potato, I was looking forward to watching movies, a few cable TV series and just relaxing with my kids. So on Sunday, we were looking for a family movie to watch together. Marley and Me was one of the choices. My older son was worried about how sad it would be. I assured him it was […]
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The holiday times roll in, and suddenly it’s so easy for me to overextend myself. Parties with co-workers, lunches with friends, get-togethers with relatives — it all seems like so much fun in the beginning. Then I look at the calendar in bewilderment, noting that I don’t have an evening to myself for two solid weeks! It happens to all of us, but for suicide-loss survivors, there may be a tendency to overload to avoid the pain of spending the holidays without a loved one. Know that you can always cancel. You don’t have to be Superwoman or Superman during […]
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Five years ago when my husband died in a cycling accident, the last thing on my mind was finding a new man to love. Horrified by the unexpected jump from wife to widow, I struggled to regain both my sense of self and my will to live. When I first was able to entertain the thought of marrying again, I would be rendered mute when asked to utter the phrase, “till death do us part.” Those four words mean something completely different to me now that I know what parting actually feels like. As my heart slowly recovered and love […]
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Open to Hope is an online community offering inspirational stories of loss, hope and recovery. We believe hope is the bridge between loss and recovery.
