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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How to Care-give and Not Kill Yourself in the Process

Posted on May 15, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

There’s a new kind of caregiver out there.
She (or he) is a savvy caregiver, isn’t a martyr, and doesn’t look defeated (all the time).
She (I use the feminine pronoun to apply to everyone)?has her act together (in some respects) and isn’t going to let her life and her plans be completely derailed–and yet she loves […]

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Finding “Self Help” to Deal With the Death of My Daughter?

Posted on May 14, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

Just last March my 48 year old daughter, mother of 5 young girls died of a cerebral hemhoridge.My older sister and 2 of my husbands brothers came over and stayed in our house for 3 weeks to help us in our grief. It did wonders. The day that they left I really broke down. I don’t feel like leaving the bedroom, I read a lot and watch tv, no cooking, neither my husband and I are hungry much. I let messages accumulate on the telephone.

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My Niece’s Baby Was Stillborn

Posted on May 14, 2008 - by Diana Gardner-Williams

My niece, suzanne, gave birth Monday, May 12, 2008 to a 6?8? little boy. The baby was still born. Her pregnancy was fine and she had been to the doctor the previous friday. Baby?s heart beat was strong and she discussed inducing labor with her doctor. They scheduled it for Saturday, May 17th. On Sunday […]

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UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections): Don’t Let Your Elder Suffer in Silence

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

If you?ve ever had a bladder infection (the common name for UTIs), then you know how very painful they can be.
If you haven?t, let me describe one for you:
Many times, you don?t realize right off what?s wrong.
You?re edgier than normal. You feel ?different down there,? but you?re not sure. Then, you get […]

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Poem: The Art of Longing

Posted on May 13, 2008 - by Robert Neimeyer

Poet/Professor Robert Neimeyer explores the struggle of those who have “driven the long cold road alone.”

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Dreams of the Deceased

Posted on May 13, 2008 - by Luellen Hoffman

Writer Luellen Hoffman explains why she began studying those who dream about their deceased loved ones

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The Last Goodbye: Clearing Out Our Deceased Daughter’s House

Posted on May 13, 2008 - by Harriet Hodgson

Seventeen months ago our daughter died from the injuries she received in a car crash.? Since that tragic accident we have walked with grief every day.? We have also become a GRGs — grandparents raising grandchildren.? My husband and I are the legal guardians of 16-year-old, fraternal twins.? Raising them is our new life mission […]

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Mother’s Day When You’ve Lost Your Mother

Posted on May 12, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Writer Carol O’Dell explores her conflicting thoughts and feelings on the fifth Mother’s Day after her mom’s death

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Is Grieving Different When You Lose an Adult Child vs. a Small Child?

Posted on May 11, 2008 - by Gloria Horsley

My 32 year old son died in Sept 2007 and I have been trying to deal with my grief. I came across your grief blog recently and am pleased to be able to have access to someone with your background. In trying to find books and websites to help me, I am finding that there is only one “category” called child to talk about the grief a parent feels. Do you think that the grief and grieving is the same for the loss of a child versus and adult? I believe it is different and I am looking for help for the loss of an adult son.

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Poem: A Badge of Courage for Grieving Moms

Posted on May 10, 2008 - by admin

Mother’s day is a difficult day for all of us who have lost a child. This what I wrote tonight. May it bring peace to those of us who have lost a child and a new understanding to those who walk by our side.
Mother’s Day is a terrible day for those of us who have […]

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