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

Using a Recovery Program vs. Support Groups

Posted on September 27, 2009 - by Sandy Fox

by Sandy Fox Not everyone agrees that a grief support group is what all bereaved parents need. One psychology counselor, Maurice Turmel, says that support groups are just that; they offer support but no direction. He believes that these parents are simply recycling their pain and not moving forward with their recovery. He believes parents should go through a “proper recovery program” and incorporate a support group within the recovery program, if they chose to do so. In the end, he says, it doesn’t matter what took your child from you. The grieving and healing process you must undergo remains […]

Read More
Open to hope

Grief: An Ongoing Journey to Rebirth

Posted on September 26, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Grief: An Ongoing Journey I just want my joy back! It seems as if it were just yesterday when I spoke those words to my husband. He had just been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and I had just lost both of my parents to Alzheimer’s. Grief is an ongoing journey for me. There are good days and then there are horrible days. It is in my darkest of days that I find some comfort in my writing. It is through my writing that I’m finding my joy. Very recently I was approached with this question “What is reborn and […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Reflections of my Soul

Posted on September 26, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Reflections of my Soul Words in my heart Reflections of my soul Some are weak Then, many are bold. Grief is an emotion, a word That rapes the soul Leaving me lost And, out of control. Reflecting on God’s love And, my faith in him Mirrors my life With peace and joy. With my Lord’s help In the words I reflect Will bring me serenity And, my happiness. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” Copyright© 2009 http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo

Read More
Open to hope

Three Simple Ways to Reduce Stress

Posted on September 26, 2009 - by Gloria Arenson

We are now living in very stressful times. War, global warming and economic disasters plague us. Personal situations depress us, yet most of our stress arises from our negative thoughts and beliefs. We tend to think that what we think is the truth. What if it isn’t? If your thoughts are making you depressed or stressed try these three helpful tips to brighten up your day. 1. Get into a cosmic perspective. A very creative psychiatrist had a special lampshade in his office that reflected the stars in the night sky onto his ceiling when he turned off the lights.  […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: For All I Am

Posted on September 25, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

For All I Am They raised me with love And, never left my side Although I left them I’m still their child. They taught me life Love and compassion They taught me how to Find and live my passion. Every day that I live I’m an example of their pride There are days that I have failed But, more important I’ve tried. Mom and Dad have gone home To our Lord’s promise land Although their not here for me to see They will always be here holding me. Mom and Dad, thank you For all I am. Deborah Ann Tornillo […]

Read More
Open to hope

First Days After Losing an Exceptional Friend

Posted on September 25, 2009 - by Rhonda Belous

I could not afford to fly home for Christmas on my meagre salary and begrudgingly accepted my festive destiny: being alone. Well, technically, I was not alone, if I was to include the critters quietly doing their private research and development in my cupboards. To cheer myself, in an attempt to embrace “the experience”, I prepared to savour the chosen two or three scrumptious extravagances to enjoy over the next few days – shrimp and oysters (Mom’s old family traditions) and some cream cheese plus a bagel or two (my Montreal friends’ influence). And of course, a bottle of crisp, […]

Read More
Open to hope

Is Widower Ready for a New Relationship?

Posted on September 23, 2009 - by Art & Allison Daily

DKT writes in: I met a man on Match.com. We are in our 50’s. He divorced his first wife after 20 years of marriage. He was married to his second wife for about 5 years before she was killed in a car accident in January 2009, just 9 months ago. We have been on several dates. After we spent a day together at an event, we went to his house. Her shoes were still by the dresser and her lipstick was still on the cabinet in the bathroom. There are photos of her on the refrigerator. We kissed, but that […]

Read More
Open to hope

What Does Grief Look Like?

Posted on September 23, 2009 - by Art & Allison Daily

When my brother Rod killed himself the grief itself made me feel like I was going crazy. One minute I was okay and calm, the next I was hysterical. If we are in the depths of loss and grief, the intense emotions and sometimes lack of them often make us wonder, “Am I all right?” or “Am I doing this correctly?” Most of want to know we are doing something properly– even grieving. Think about it, that’s why there are so many self-help and ‘how-to’ books. For many people, those books are hugely helpful because they help us know either […]

Read More
Open to hope

The Importance of Journaling

Posted on September 22, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Writing has always been very therapeutic for me. I enjoy writing and especially enjoy writing poems. Writing allows me to express my fears, my sadness, my anger and yes, my happiness. Shortly, after my brother’s death I went in to a deep depression. I was blessed to have received therapy and apply what I had learned in ways that now benefit me. One of the best tools I learned was how to journal. Writing helps me express my feelings on paper and then later go back and read what I have written. When I feel angry – I will act […]

Read More
Open to hope

Poem: Daddy, I Miss You…

Posted on September 22, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

I see your eyes staring back at me as I look in the mirror each and every day. Daddy, I miss you. I hear your words of wisdom telling me keep smiling and always think positive. Daddy, I miss you. I feel your heart touching mine as I express my love to God and family. Daddy, I miss you. I feel your strength within my shoulders as I promise your son-in-law there will be a tomorrow. Daddy, I miss you. I feel your hands guiding mine as I express these words, my feelings, the best I can. Daddy, I miss […]

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2026 Open to Hope