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.

Articles Home

Open to  hope

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 […]

Read More
Open to  hope

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 […]

Read More
Open to  hope

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…

Read More
Open to  hope

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 abuse and depression. For the first time there is data available on the impact of grief in the workplace and the annual cost of grief from the death of a loved one is more than $37.5 billion. The grief following the death of a child is intense, long-lasting and complex. It is perhaps the most devastating loss a parent may experience and poses unique challenges for you, the employer, who […]

Read More
Open to  hope

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

Read More
Open to  hope

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 about how sons deal with the death of a father, Gloria and Heidi asked me to write something here about coping with Father’s Day after Dad is gone. For my book, FatherLoss, I interviewed several hundred people about the death of their dads. And some were actually a little relieved on Father’s Day after their dad had died. This was especially true if they had a troubled relationship with their dad. […]

Read More
Open to  hope

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 […]

Read More
Open to  hope

The Power of a Great Dad

Posted on June 10, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

My Daddy died at the average age men die in the US (78 years old), from the most common disease men die from–heart disease. Yet, Daddy was anything but typical. He was a big teddy bear of a guy who made my world right again.
I was adopted at the age of four years old–and my […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Improve Your Relationship in Two Easy Steps

Posted on June 9, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

There’s no way to stay in a long-term relationship and not have issues.
Hurts, frustrations, “you weren’t there for me,” “I can’t believe you said that, betrayls and disappointments are all a part of being human.
Whether you’re in a committmed relationship, married, have children, adult children, siblings, and even friends must eventually hit this road block […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Can You Grieve Too Much?

Posted on June 5, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Grieving is natural. It’s good for you. It’s necessary.
But can you take grief too far?
What is “too far?”
What’s right and necessary for one is dangerous for another.
I recently watched “Reign Over Me”about a man (played brilliantly by Adam Sandler–not his usual comedic role) who loses his wife and three daughters in the airplane crash […]

Read More