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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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Dealing With the Death of a Boyfriend

Posted on August 25, 2008 - by admin

A website visitor has this question for author Comfort Shields: Q: I saw that the author C. Comfort Shields will be on your radio program next week. I am grateful for this and can’t wait to tune in. I spent years searching for a book specifically written about surviving a partner’s (in my case, it was my boyfriend, too) suicide and can’t begin to tell you the relief that Shields’ book, Surviving Ben’s Suicide, has brought me since reading it a couple months ago. In Ms. Shields’ memoir, she talked about how cruel people often were when she told them […]

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Life Is About Adapting to Change

Posted on August 24, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

The one thing that certain in this life, aside death and taxes, is change. Businesses have to change to survive. Markets, attitudes, tastes, and buying habits of customers are constantly in flux. If a business doesn’t adapt to shifting market conditions and offer its customers what they want, it goes out of business. At halftime, football teams must adapt their offence and defense based on what they’ve seen from the opposing team or else they’ll lose the game. Our own lives are constantly in flux. Every day brings changes we have to deal with. Most of the changes we deal […]

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Do Men Really Cry Less Than Women?

Posted on August 22, 2008 - by Bob Baugher

Grief therapist Bob Baugher suggests that we not judge a man’s grief by how much — or even whether — he cries.

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A Companion on Your Grief Journey

Posted on August 18, 2008 - by Beverly Chantalle McManus

I became a widow when Steve, my husband of 20 years, died from esophageal cancer. With one daughter in college and the other finishing up high school, along with a new, highly demanding job, I felt so unequipped to deal with all the emotions, feelings, and tangible aspects of grief. When we lose someone we love, especially a spouse, whether it was expected (for example, after a long illness), or unexpected (such as after a tragic accident or sudden illness), there really doesn’t seem to be much of a roadmap we can follow to negotiate the twists and turns ahead. […]

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10 Things People Should Know About Grief

Posted on August 18, 2008 - by John Pete

1. Grief is the last “living connection” to a loved one who has died. So when you expect someone to “get over” their grief, you are expecting them to move on from a loved one. Others should think it in terms of their own loved ones; think of it in terms and the shock of losing someone they cannot imagine living without. People who are grieving cannot move on just because others want them to. They inch forward as they are able to do so, and to some degree will always grieve their loss. 2. Since grief is a last […]

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Everything is Gone In House Fire, Now What Do We Do?

Posted on August 15, 2008 - by admin

Tina H., Houston, Texas, asks: Our house burned down with everything we own in it. I feel like I’ve been orphaned. No surviving photos of our children or our parents. No LPs or CDs or cassettes. Our computers were fried. Our books burned up. Everyone says, “Praise God that no one was hurt.” But I can’t see it. How can I get over this? Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley respond: It is very tough to have a house fire that takes everything. One of our listeners’ house burned down a few years ago due to faulty Christmas lights. No one […]

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Five Strategies for Surviving a Divorce

Posted on August 14, 2008 - by Julia Sorensen

Counselor Julia Sorensen offers suggestions to men and women going through a divorce. Among other strategies, she suggests keeping a journal.

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When the Memories Come Without Pain

Posted on August 13, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

When I look back on our life together, there are many memories that are told and retold, and to me it seems further evidence of healing for myself and my children. The memories are there and fondly told, with a smile and reminiscent grin, without the pain that was once associated thinking of a loved one no longer there.

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Caregivers Do More Than Just Provide Care

Posted on August 12, 2008 - by admin

By Ryan L Malone In an assisted living environment, caregivers are often thought of only as “hired help.”  In fact, both short and long-term relationships with caregivers offer benefits far exceeding assistance with daily living. The acceptance that caregivers are play an important role in the daily happiness of both the patient and family can lead to a far more positive assisted living experience. For residents, caregivers play a number of different roles, including: A friend. Just like having a roommate, the caregiver and your loved one will spend a lot of time together. And just like a roommate, a […]

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Family Caregivers’ Loss of Independence

Posted on August 12, 2008 - by admin

By Martha Paulson Today, every six seconds someone turns 62. Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it? As more and more aging adults start to retire, families at one point have to take on the responsibility of care for a loved one. When you have your own family to worry about, the added responsibility can become overwhelming. Playing the role of caregiver can have adverse changes on everyone who enlists that into their own life. Whether it is the spouse, daughter or son of the ailing parent, becoming a caregiver will have a lasting effect on a person’s life. Families […]

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