Open to Hope Articles

Articles Home

Parental Guilt After Suicide

Posted on February 20, 2023 - by Linda Zelik

Causes of Suicide Complex Suicide is tragically all too common today. And it is one of the most complicated and heartbreaking ways to lose someone you love, especially a child. The causes underlying this tragic act are complex and varied. Many sources report that a mental condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or personality disorders may be an underlying cause. Sometimes it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Additionally, teens and young adults can have mood swings, be impulsive, and lack perspective. They may see no alternative after a significant loss or other stressful life event. A […]

Are Psychics and Mediums Real?

Posted on February 18, 2023 - by Linda Zelik

Are Psychics and Mediums Real? I had never gone to a psychic before and, honestly, did not believe in them. I now feel differently. Back then, I had just lost my 24-yer-old son, Kevin, when I had the chance to visit a psychic in Sedona, Arizona. The following is my experience. True psychics are able to use extrasensory perception to identify information hidden from the normal senses. Mediums mediate communication between spirits and the living. When someone refers to himself or herself as a “psychic medium,” it is because they claim to have both “gifts.” While visiting friends in Flagstaff, my […]

About Your Room: Letting Go of a Son’s Belongings

Posted on February 16, 2023 - by Elizabeth Brady

Dismantling the Room Your blue camo backpack hung on the back of your desk chair with your Pittsburgh Penguins baseball cap on top of it for eight years. It was as you left it on the last day of school before the Christmas holidays in 2012. It was September 2020; I was in your room with a mug of dark roast and my phone. We had decided to replace the wall-to-wall carpeting upstairs. The installers were coming the next day and I was on deadline. Both Dad and Iz were out of town. The task of dismantling your room came […]

Grief Journaling for Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 12, 2023 - by Bunny Bennett

Grief Journaling for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day, like every holiday while grieving, is a difficult time to get through, especially after the loss of our “Valentine” or spouse. All of the aisles at the stores overflow with heart balloons, chocolates, flowers and cards celebrating love, and it compounds our feelings of loss and loneliness. However, if we keep in mind that we can still celebrate, it can help us through this time. Here are some journaling exercises that can be helpful in healing from any kind of loss because they remind us to be grateful for love and to celebrate […]

Valentine’s Day and Grief are Connected

Posted on February 11, 2023 - by Kelly Grosklags

Valentine’s Day and Grief Valentine’s Day and grief can be a very tender combination. This is a commercialized holiday, and it has a strong presence in the stores, social media, and advertising. There is an emphasis on romance. If you have lost a romantic relationship, this may be an extra painful time. I have also heard from many parents and grandparents that this day brings up pain as their kiddo will not be participating in the Valentine exchange at school. Truly any loss can get activated by this day because there is such an emphasis on being together and celebrating. […]

Memories are Gifts for Grievers

Posted on February 10, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

What could someone else do to help you as you begin your healing journey? In the beginning, you probably had plenty of food, volumes of cards and a house full of flowers, but what kind of gift would genuinely touch your heart? When you’ve loved and lost, memories are priceless treasures. What if there are stories about your loved one that you’ve never heard? The next time a trusted friend asks what they can do to help, ask them to write a favorite memory and send it to you via mail or email. Can you imagine going to your computer […]

Valentine’s Day Triggers Mother’s Grief

Posted on February 8, 2023 - by Janice Bell Meisenhelder

From the author of Surviving the Unthinkable: The Loss of a Child: Meisenhelder, Janice Bell: 9780979651120: Amazon.com: Books My firstborn, Melissa, was a hopeless romantic! She loved Valentine’s Day ever since she was a little girl. We always celebrated as a family with a special dinner and Valentine cards. My husband would give red roses and candy to all three of “his girls”: myself, Melissa, and her younger sister. As a teen, Melissa always had a boyfriend. and Valentine’s Day continued to be a major celebration. Melissa succumbed to cancer in June of 2004, at the age of 19. I […]

Husband Admires Wife’s Strength After Child-Loss

Posted on February 8, 2023 - by Ken Lefkowitz

This is an excerpt from Weave Our Destiny, by Ken Lefkowitz. This scene comes after the death of the second of two of his children, one stillborn, the other just one day old. “I never even saw him,” she said. “I never touched him. Never held him. Never kissed him. My arms feel so heavy, they ache from emptiness. I don’t even know what my heart is feeling. I’m numb.” She began to cry, gently at first and then more heavily. “I did get the chance to hold his hand. But I also watched him die. I kissed Matthew for […]

‘Are We There Yet?’ and Other Grief Questions

Posted on February 7, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

If you took road trips as a child, you probably remember the question parents forever answered: “Are we there yet?” As you begin to regain your equilibrium after loss, you may wonder: How long does grief take? As long as it takes. Each person has a unique timeline and way of coping with loss. Will I always miss my loved one? Probably so. But, hopefully over time the deep ache will become more bearable, and memories of the person you’re missing will be gentle reminders of the impact they made in your life. It’s OK to always miss them. Why […]

Communicating Your Needs When Grieving

Posted on February 4, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

“Call if you need anything.” You may have heard this well-intended offer, but chances are you never called back. Here’s a straightforward way to communicate your needs when grieving. As you think of something you’d appreciate help with, write it on a list, and post it on the fridge. Your list might include: watching the kids for a couple hours raking the leaves technical assistance driving carpool setting up auto pay for bills Whenever something comes to mind, add it to the list. The next time someone asks how they can help, snap a photo of your list, and send it […]