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.

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Poem: I Carry Her in My Heart

Posted on June 18, 2008 - by admin

Some people may think that I am insane
Those ones probably have not encountered such pain
The pain of losing a daughter or a son
And knowing that from this life he/she is gone
To wake up in the morning, day after day
And ask “Where is my daughter? Tell me, I pray”
Although I know she is in heaven above
Yet, […]

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Navigating Change

Posted on June 17, 2008 - by Ariane de Bonvoisin

Writer Ariane de Bonvoisin explains the importance of the first 30 days when making changes

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Is Your Elder Loved One Considering Suicide? Warning Signs

Posted on June 17, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Don’t think it can’t happen.
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Elder suicide rates?are up in the United States and it usually start with depression–also a major factor in the elderly.
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It’s a deadly combination–life debilitating illness, loss of spouse, career, a terminal diagnosis, medications all?exasperate the situation.
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But it’s not the way we want it to end.
It’s not the […]

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What I Learned About Caregiving From my Dogs

Posted on June 17, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Life lessons are everywhere, and I was recently reminded of what it’s like to be a caregiver?by my two dogs–Kismet and Rupert. Kizzy (short for Kismet) is an Alaskan Malamute?and her son, Rupert who is part lab. (She had a tryst in the front yard before we could stop her). Miracle was, she only had […]

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Remember Loved Ones Forever with a Memorial Book

Posted on June 16, 2008 - by admin

Remember Loved Ones Forever
Create a Memorial Photo Guest Book
?Fill the Memorial Album with Cherished Photos
The memorial album is filled with photos that tell a lasting story about the lost loved one.
Have Friends and Family Share Their Memories
Have the album on hand or send it to friends and family members to view the photos and share […]

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Memories Flooding My Heart

Posted on June 16, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

As the cleaning, clearing away and releasing of objects phase of this
grief is continuing….

I just woke up at 4:30 am and could not go back to sleep. I gave up
and went to brush my own teeth and it hit me to clean out the bathroom
cupboards below the counter on Joseph’s side and his shelf in the
medicine chest. It is surreal that the Spiderman bath bubbles, the
Power Ranger, Batman and Spiderman toothbrushes are more reminders of
silly, child centered themes. Yes, even have their own story of the
routines in the daily habit of brushing teeth…with the alphabet ball
playing songs to encourage this longer brushing habit holding the
attention span just a little easier with a built in fun distraction…

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When an Employee is Grieving the Death of a Child

Posted on June 15, 2008 - by admin

The Situation: $37,500,000,000. Businesses are accustomed to putting a price tag on lost productivity and increased insurance costs associated with conditions from diabetes to those from life problems including substance […]

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Are Dads More Difficult to Take Care of Than Moms?

Posted on June 13, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Author Carol O’Dell Discusses Dad’s Just in Time for Father’s Day

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Father’s Day When Your Father Has Died

Posted on June 13, 2008 - by Neil Chethik

By Neil Chethik Father’s Day is just ahead, and for more than 100 million Americans whose fathers have died, it will be a day of missing Dad. Because I’ve written […]

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How Will You Remember Your Loved One?

Posted on June 11, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

We avoid thinking about or dealing with death at every turn.
Even caregivers who are caring for their aging parents try not to think about the inevitable end.

Cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, combined with age will eventually claim the lives of those we love. And sadly, by not fully anticipating and participating in […]

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