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

What Does it Mean to ‘Get on with Life’

Posted on October 20, 2009 - by Alice Wisler

Of all the statements and spiritual platitudes quoted to me since my son, Daniel, died, the phrase that I hear most frequently makes me squirm the most. “You have got to get on with your life.” Recently, I quit squirming long enough to ponder the meaning behind this phrase that is usually said to the bereaved in the form of a command. Exactly what does this phrase mean? What are people implying when they say it? I was pregnant when Daniel died and three months later, I gave birth to a baby girl. Wasn’t that getting on with my life? […]

Read More
Open to hope

The Birth of Purpose: Foundation Emerges from Stillbirth

Posted on October 20, 2009 - by Nicole Alston

A mother’s viewpoint of grief: deep and profound Nicole Alston recalls: April 29, 2005, was our due date, and like any typical first-time parents responding to the initial signs of labor, my husband Paul and I dashed to the hospital full of hope and promise. After years of unexplained infertility and a miscarriage in 2003, we had rehearsed this long-awaited occasion countless times. However, there was no dress rehearsal for what happened next. Only minutes after being admitted and taken to a labor and delivery room, our lives took an unex­pected and painful turn. With a quick glance at the monitor, […]

Read More
Open to hope

Thanksgiving

Posted on October 19, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Dad passed away October 9, 2007 and Mom passed 36 days later on November 14, 2007. Today, I can now reflect back and remember how everything in my life had come to a standstill. For a year and half prior to their passing I spent every waking second of my day attending to them. They both had Alzheimer’s and, not only did it strip them of their memory and their life, more importantly it stripped me of who I am. I can now look back and realize that since February of 2006 my life has been on hold. The world […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Shine

Posted on October 19, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Shine There is a light that shines inside all Some days it is so warm and so bright Other days it is cold and just a flicker Leaving us afraid and bitter. When troubles have come our way And we lose our hope and faith Turn to our Lord, Almighty And ask for a little bit of his rays. He’ll give you back your light And, no more will it be just a flicker Instead, you’ll shine so bright Within his warmth and glowing light. Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2009 http://www.authorsden.com

Read More
Open to hope

Compassionate Self-Forgiveness (Part 2)

Posted on October 19, 2009 - by Irene Kendig

In this post, I’ll use my experience with Ringo (see Part I) to demonstrate compassionate self-forgiveness, a powerful tool in service to inner healing. There are four steps to this process. Step 1. I give voice to my feelings of sadness, frustration, anger and fear. I honor my process by creating a safe space in which I can allow whatever I’m feeling to come forward. I may cry, scream, yell or laugh; I just let it come out without judging it. I do this for myself and with myself in the privacy of a safe space. As I begin to […]

Read More
Open to hope

Compassionate Self-Forgiveness (Part 1)

Posted on October 18, 2009 - by Irene Kendig

I was reflecting today on my dog Ringo, who died after being hit by a car when I was fifteen. As I ran to his side, he acknowledged my presence with one last wag of his tail. I was devastated. I blamed myself for his death. I also blamed my mom, who was at work. I believed that, if she’d been home, this never would have happened. I thought Ringo shouldn’t have died when he did. We are spiritual beings having a human experience rather than humans with spirits. That’s a huge difference, so take a moment to let that […]

Read More
Open to hope

The Story of My Father’s Suicide

Posted on October 17, 2009 - by Kelli Karlton

Late one January morning in 2008, I fell asleep on the sofa, something I rarely did and haven’t done since.   I was awakened to my house phone ringing, then my cell phone ringing, again the house, again the cell. I wasn’t ready to wake up completely so I didn’t answer the phone, hoping they would just leave a message. The phones kept ringing and eventually my husband’s cell phone started to ring too.  My husband came over to me on the sofa and said, “It’s your Dad calling my cell.…”  I knew something was wrong at that point.  I got […]

Read More
Open to hope

Floating Downstream: What Loss Has Taught Me

Posted on October 16, 2009 - by Monica Novak

During summer breaks, my 12-week reprieve from the regimented early-morning school schedule, my three girls and I love to sleep in and lounge around in our pajamas all morning (okay, they lounge while I do dishes and laundry and try to get them to pick up their stuff that’s strewn all over the house!).  We spend our afternoons at the pool enjoying the sun with friends or visiting family in Indiana.  Our evenings are spent listening to free outdoor concerts or curling up on the couch for movie night – which in the summer can be any night we want! […]

Read More
Open to hope

First Halloween

Posted on October 15, 2009 - by Beth Seyda

I usually love Halloween, seeing all the little kids in their cute costumes struggling to hold up their trick or treat bags and trying to say “trick or treat”.  But that first Halloween was only a couple of weeks after our infant son, Dylan, had died, and I knew I could not be at home to give out treats this year.  I felt bad about it, but I knew that I would be in no shape to see so many kids. So my husband, Mark, and I decided to see an early movie and have dinner.  This would keep us […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: I Hear You

Posted on October 14, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Before I cross uncertain land I hear Daddy say to me. Little girl hold on to my hand And, remember to look both ways. If you should have any doubt Always call out my name. And, I will always guide you Through the unknown and the same. Keep laughing long into the night I hear Daddy say to me. Little girl wipe away your tears And, ride through life without fears. If you should have any doubt Always call out my name. And, I will always be by your side Through the joy and the pain. Compassionately go about your […]

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2026 Open to Hope