Open to Hope Articles

Articles Home

‘Noticing’ and Grieving Go Together

Posted on February 18, 2009 - by Chris Mulligan

By Chris Mulligan — Learning to “notice” during my first year of grief was more imporant than anything else in helping me survive my grief. It also provided me a major life lesson. I realized that noticing was the vehicle through which I have come to accept my life experiences as well as be able to move through them and learn from them. All the major events in my life — those that caused the most pain and eventually precipitated the most growth — have also caused me to reflect upon and recognize that the suffering was present for a […]

Many Widows Need to Spruce Up Resumes

Posted on February 17, 2009 - by Sandra Pesmen

By Sandra Pesmen — It’s possible that as a widow, you suddenly need to find a job, or upgrade the one you have for more pay and benefits. In either case, remember that your old resume probably won’t work in today’s world. If you haven’t updated it lately, it probably lacks power and punch and isn’t even suited to the “new workplace” that’s dominated by youth, computer wizards, and the Internet information. One guide to updating it is the new book, 30-Minute Resume Makeover: Rev Up Your Old Resume in Half an Hour, by Louise Kursmark (Jist Works $9.95). Kursmark’s […]

Trust Yourself When Grieving

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by Gloria Horsley

Dixie writes: I know my family is going through so much and I guess I feel I have to be the strong mother and that I am not supposed to fall apart. But everything has changed since my daughter died. My world is no longer the same. There are days that I just want to able to be left alone and let me touch her stuff and let me cry, but I feel I can’t do that because my family has never really seen me like that, even when my mother died. I had to be strong for my kids […]

How to Support a Friend Who is Grieving a Miscarriage or Infant Death

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by Monica Novak

By Chellie Bonebrake – The death of an infant or a miscarriage is so sad. Many times it’s difficult to know what to say, how to say it, and of course you may be wondering what not to say. Often those worries keep people from reaching out to support friends and loved ones who are experiencing this loss. Receiving support and condolences is very important to the grief process. This article is written to assist you in supporting a grieving parent. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT HELPS: 1. I’m sorry. This simple sentence conveys so much. It means you care, you […]

“Motherland”: Six Women United by Loss

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by admin

The movie “Motherland” will have its world premiere next month at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas. “Motherland” is a film about six women from diverse backgrounds who come together to take a unique trip: a 17-day intensive pilgrimage to volunteer in rural South Africa. Prior to the journey, the women did not know each other. However they had one thing in common: they had all suffered the death of a child. With grief in their hearts and the willingness to make a difference, this group of women traveled half way around the world to live with […]

Learning to Cope with Unmet Longings

Posted on February 16, 2009 - by Pamela Prime

By Pamela Prime — Children are the most beautiful gifts and provide the most extraordinary challenges to us. I often say to parents who are in pain that no one can hurt us as parents like our children can. They can hurt us with words and actions, with their choices or lack of choices, and with their criticisms and impatience. And no one can bring the kind of joy that comes from one’s children when they express their love and appreciation of us. Children are amazing teachers for us. I think this is because we love them so much that […]

Little Token, Big Meaning

Posted on February 15, 2009 - by Eric Tomei

You know sometimes in life the littlest thing can make the biggest difference. It can be the words you have been longing to hear, the smile from that special person you have been waiting for, or a token of someone’s gratitude for a job well done. This past Thursday I gave a mini presentation to a local Jaycee group about my mission to raise $1 million for Habitat for Humanity through the sale of my book I Miss My Dad… First, the Jaycees are a nationwide organization who’s sole purpose is to help people in need. They help […]

Journaling My Grief Experience

Posted on February 15, 2009 - by Beverly Chantalle McManus

By Beverly Chantalle McManus My birthday took place a week after Steve died. Although I did not feel like celebrating, my family members thoughtfully brought some gifts over, one of which was a journal. At the time, I gave it little thought. I was so consumed with grief, shock and pain, and the idea of sitting down to write couldn’t have been further from my mind. However, a few months later, as I began to settle into my new life without Steve, I started panicking at times, because given how my entire memory bank now seemed to be completely fragmented, […]

‘Weaving the Arts’ Grief Conference Set in Colorado

Posted on February 13, 2009 - by admin

Below you will find information on an upcoming, experiential learning conference focusing on the use of creative therapies to address issues of grief and loss. This conference is being hosted by Pathways Hospice: Programs for Grief & Loss (formerly known as The Hospice of Larimer County). Early registration?is now open until March 1, 2009. The conference dates are May 15-17, 2009. Go to http://www.hlchospice.org/Grief_Programs/Weaving-the-Arts.php for more information and online registration. Combining creative art therapies with grief theory is a powerful way to address grief and loss. This conference offers a way to expand awareness of the effectiveness of integrating the […]

Friends Keep Pushing to “Get Over” the Loss

Posted on February 13, 2009 - by Norman Fried

From Mary: We lost our most precious son Nov 14, 2006. He was 27, a firefighter, preparing for his wedding, had just bought a house on five acres, was so enjoying his life. He lived with us till a year before. We talked to him every day and saw him almost every day. He was my baby and my pride and joy. I miss him so badly, I cannot function. I am so tired of people telling me to move on! My life is over, my future is over, why can’t they understand this? What can I say to people […]