Open to Hope Articles

Articles Home

As You’re Grieving: Seven Questions to Ask Yourself

Posted on September 22, 2009 - by Harriet Hodgson

Losing four loved ones within a nine-month span made my mind go in all directions. I thought about my childhood, things I wished I could have changed, and a future without my loved ones. Most of all, I worried about my twin grandchildren, who lost both parents in separate car crashes. I also worried about myself and my new role of GRG – grandparent raising grandchildren. Grief worries can take over your life. I didn’t want that to happen to me, so I made a list of questions that pull me back to the moment. My list may help you. […]

Books and Prayers

Posted on September 22, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

When I was taking care of my parents, whom were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I prayed daily for God’s guidance. Through prayer I knew that no matter how bad or how difficult things became God would carry me through it. I read many books on the subject of Alzheimer’s. I read many books on the subject of Caregiving and I read many books on the subject of Dying. I was convinced I was an expert on the subject matter of Alzheimer’s, Caregiving and Dying and no matter what obstacle I confronted I would be able to overcome it. The reality […]

Dad Troubled by Accidental Death of Son’s Kitten

Posted on September 21, 2009 - by Cori Bussolari

By – Marty Tousley, CNS-BC, FT, DCC Question from a reader: I received a phone call last night from my frantic wife with my 13-year-old son screaming and crying in the background. He put the recliner chair down and it crushed his 12-week-old kitten. She died on the way to the vet’s . . . I am surprised at my own mourning because she attached herself to me quite a bit, napping in my arm or on my chest a lot. She could make us smile no matter what was going on, no matter how bad it was. She is […]

Take Care of Yourself

Posted on September 21, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

As I reflect back on the past when I was taking care of my parents, whom were both diagnosed at the same time with Alzheimer’s, I often found that it was very easy due to the stress of caring for them to neglect my own needs. I encourage every caregiver to take time for yourself, to maintain your own health and to avoid becoming over-stressed and vulnerable to other problems. By taking care of yourself, you are also making sure that you will be able to continue caring for your loved one. Here are a few basic ways you can […]

Deceased Daughter is Never Far Away

Posted on September 21, 2009 - by David Roberts

Before my daughter Jeannine died in 2003, I was never one to believe in things that I could not see. My version of reality was defined by hard evidence, not by intuition or feel. Jeannine has given me signs of her presence in a variety of different ways since her death. As a result, my new reality has been defined more by what I feel and experience, then hard facts. With that in mind, I would like to describe one of my more memorable experiences following Jeannine’s death. During college spring break in March 2006, my wife Cheri and I […]

Poems of Healing and Hope

Posted on September 21, 2009 - by Linda Wisniewski

Sometimes I forget how powerful poetry can be. Then I find a lovely book like Beloved On the Earth: 150 Poems of Grief and Gratitude, and resolve to read poems more often and share them with others. Brought together by editors Jim Perlman, Deborah Cooper and Mara Hart, this anthology includes work by poets you’ve heard of and ones you’ll be happy to discover. The book takes its title from a line in Raymond Carver’s poem, “Late Fragment.” I was pleased to find the book includes two poems by writers I know personally. The idea for Colorado poet Marj Hahne’s […]

Men, Women, Children Grieve Differently

Posted on September 20, 2009 - by admin

by Andrea Hilgendorf Grief is a painful struggle, but also a normal reaction to loss. There are many different ways to confront grief and each person deals with grief in a different way. Men, women and children do not and will never experience and express grief the same way. Although never truly resolved, grief must be expressed to reach a passage of healing. The transition for a man from grief to healing could be accomplished by performing physical tasks. On the other hand, a woman may talk with others and share her grief. A child will need encouragement from a […]

Trying to ‘Turn Grief Around’ After Brother’s Suicide

Posted on September 19, 2009 - by Art & Allison Daily

By Allison Daily — Does grief end? It’s a question that varies for each person and depends in part on the person’s relationship to the one who has died. The death of a child is different than that of a parent or grandparent. The death of a spouse is different from that of a sibling or best friend. Men handle grief differently than women do. I lost my brother Rod to suicide. I got the call, heard the gory details, and had to get my parents home and then tell them, “Rod has killed himself.” It’s been nineteen years since that day. I will […]

Poem: Mom and Dad

Posted on September 18, 2009 - by Deborah Tornillo

Mom and Dad You taught me as your daughter The meaning of life, To stop and look all around me, To reach for the stars and Appreciate everything that life has to offer. You taught me as your daughter The meaning of love, To have compassion for others and myself, Listen, learn and understand Everyday is a gift of life. You taught me as your daughter The meaning of death, To brave its storm and understand That life is a full circle. You taught me as your daughter The meaning of life, love and death And, not fear them, but […]

Poem: Remembering Dad

Posted on September 18, 2009 - by Julie Lange

These are the things you gave me, Dad, And these are the things I’ll prize… To find God in a field of corn And hope in each sunrise, To learn the greatest truths of all Seeing nature through your eyes. These are the things you gave me, Dad, And these are the things I’ll keep: A sense of soulfulness within And a faith that’s broad and deep, The pride that comes from a hard day’s work And the peace of a good night’s sleep. These are the things you taught me, Dad, And these are things I’ll treasure: That money […]