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

Check Blood Pressure Regularly as You Grieve

Posted on November 11, 2009 - by Harriet Hodgson

I try to take care of myself, and most of the time I do a good job of it. Getting an annual physical exam is part of my self-care plan. My exam started yesterday and the test results were excellent: very low cholesterol and a normal heart rate of 72 beats per minute. Though I had gained 10 pounds, my weight was still in the normal range. But my blood pressure was dangerously high. A nurse took a reading just before I saw my doctor. “Your blood pressure is 200,” she said, “and that’s not good.” My doctor took another […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Listen

Posted on November 10, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Can you hear me? Calling out your name I do each and everyday. Can you see me? My tears are for you And, for Daddy too. Can you feel me? Feel my broken heart It’s torn, completely apart. Mom, do you miss me? I miss you so very much And, I miss Dad too. Will I hear you? When you call out my name Everyday I listen, just the same. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.deborahtornillo.com

Read More
Open to hope

Episode 8: Fred Luskin on Forgiveness

Posted on November 10, 2009 - by admin

Topic: Forgiveness Guest: Frederic Luskin, Ph.D. Frederic Luskin, Ph.D. is the Director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Projects. Dr. Luskin’s research demonstrates that learning forgiveness leads to increased physical vitality, hope, greater self–efficacy, enhanced optimism and conflict resolution skills. His research also shows that forgiveness lessons the physical and emotional toll of stress, and decreases hurt, anger depression and blood pressure. Dr. Luskin is a bereaved parent of Anna, and the author of Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness and Forgive for Love: The Missing Ingredient for a Healthy and Lasting Relationship. Click here to listen: […]

Read More
Open to hope

Giving to Others Helped Mom Make it Through Loss of Daughter

Posted on November 10, 2009 - by Jenny Hander

After my daughter passed away, I eventually grew tired of the hopelessness.  My Christian faith allows me to believe that the Lord will bring good from every situation.  I needed to find hope; reason to believe that good could come from our tragedy. As I began my desperate search for goodness, I looked around and realized we had many things that we no longer needed.  You see, my daughter was a twin; we practically had two of everything, including stuffed animals.  Our surviving twin daughter was hospitalized in neonatal intensive care for 89 days.  I thought of all the children […]

Read More
Open to hope

Mom’s Greatest Hero Was Only Four When He Died

Posted on November 10, 2009 - by Alice Wisler

I suppose my high school English teacher would like to think he made the biggest impression in my life. He loved to quote Shakespeare, Bryon and Keats. He could whip up a gourmet French dinner in a few hours. He knew Latin and spoke Japanese. “Class, class, you’ll thank me one day,” he’d tell us as we’d groan about the lengthy books assigned for homework. But the truth is, two decades later, I have another hero. My hero was only four, could not read or write and yet he taught me through his short life lessons no adult could ever […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Hate

Posted on November 9, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

It tears my heart apart I hate being sad I hate every minute of it. Nothing stops the pain It is so unbearable I hate every moment of it. I hate feeling this way I just wished It would go away. I hate life right now I hate how I feel. Need to run away. Yes, run and hide To that other side If I just run and hide….. It will be okay.. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.deborahtornillo.com

Read More
Open to hope

How to Support Families Grieving After Fort Hood Tragedy

Posted on November 9, 2009 - by Ami Neiberger-Miller

The horrific tragedy at Fort Hood has sent our nation into mourning, and many want to know how to express their condolences and support to the families left behind. Reaching out to express condolences is a natural and heartfelt reaction to tragedy.  TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, offers the following tips for those seeking to express sympathy and support to the families of those who died at Fort Hood. Be understanding. The surviving families are in tremendous shock in the immediate days and weeks following the death of their loved one. Understand that families may need to be […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Dreaming

Posted on November 8, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

When I would awaken From a dream so surreal Daddy use to say to me Dreams are not real. It’s just your imagination Running wild and free I’m right here beside you Holding you back to sleep. Daddy, I’m still dreaming And, I’m dreaming of you If dreams are not real Why are you still holding me? Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Get Over It

Posted on November 8, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

My question… How do you get over it? I’ve been recently told To get over it! Do you take a death And, just get over it? Or do you grieve that death And, then get over it? Am I blind at getting over it? Or, do I just get over it? I’ve been told, to just get over it. Okay, I’ll try my best to just get over it. Question…..Will I lose you If I don’t get over it? Then, I guess I will Because, you know what I’ll get over it…….. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo

Read More
Open to hope

Saying Inappropriate Things to Bereaved Parents

Posted on November 8, 2009 - by Sandy Fox

When on your grief journey, you may hear people say things to you that are not appropriate at all. Perhaps that person was only trying to comfort you or has never lost a child and has no idea what you are feeling or going through. Certain phrases and sentences to others may seem like a way to show they care and are thinking about you, but all it really does is make you mad. Some of those phrases and my reactions (in italic type) to myself or others include: “Your child is in a better place.” No, she’s not. She […]

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2026 Open to Hope