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

I Lost My Daughter 9 Weeks Ago

Posted on August 22, 2007 - by admin

I also have just lost my 29 year old daughter 9 weeks ago. She was the love of my life and I cannot move forward. We did everything together and she had this great big smile all the time. She dies the day before her 30th birthday. I am devastated and even my faith has been shaken.I have a son who is just wonderful but Aliza was my first child and we did everything together, but it has brought my son and I togewther even closer, he saw her die in an accident I am sending him to counseling and […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Website for Understanding Suicide & Depression

Posted on August 17, 2007 - by Carol Loehr

Carol Ann Loehr http://www.thegiftofkeith.org Thegiftofkeith.org On March 29, 1999, our son Keith died by suicide. At the time of his death I had no knowledge of suicide, and I was inundated with inaccurate and outdated descriptions of suicide and its causes. I have created a website as a memorial to my son, and also for information to help comfort and educate survivors of suicide, as well as clergy, health care professionals and counselors. People who have been dealing with depression or have suffered a loss from a suicide have found this website a safe and comforting source of information. I […]

Read More
Open to  hope

A Sudden Death of a Healthy Man

Posted on August 17, 2007 - by Abel Keogh

Hi, Ok i suppose I start by saying I lost my partner Michael on May 16th 2007 he was only 37 years old fit and healthy.I went to bed on that Tusday night late so Mick had been asleep for awhile then early hours Wednesday morning the twins woke me up they wanted a bottle so i got up to get them 1.On the way back to bed Mick passed me he went to the toilet and came back to bed.I was awake and he knew this but as soon as he got the covers up and got comfy I […]

Read More
Open to  hope

A Sudden Death of a Healthy Man

Posted on August 17, 2007 - by admin

Hi, Ok i suppose I start by saying I lost my partner Michael on May 16th 2007 he was only 37 years old fit and healthy.I went to bed on that Tusday night late so Mick had been asleep for awhile then early hours Wednesday morning the twins woke me up they wanted a bottle so i got up to get them 1.On the way back to bed Mick passed me he went to the toilet and came back to bed.I was awake and he knew this but as soon as he got the covers up and got comfy I […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Five Self-Care Actions To Take When Mourning The Death Of A Loved One

Posted on August 15, 2007 - by admin

Grief is a highly distress filled process demanding enormous amounts of energy. It must be balanced with a daily self-care regimen that replenishes both physical and emotional energy. Otherwise, the result is eventual illness and increased suffering. However, self-care at the time of loss is hardly ever on the mind of mourners. Still, awareness of the need, and minor changes in daily activities, will play a major role in averting added physical and emotional distress. Here are five self-care actions you can take to balance the drain of the grief process. 1. Take a daily stress break of at least […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Poem: Going the Distance

Posted on August 14, 2007 - by admin

Life was tough So many challenges Just getting back on my feet again Fighting life head on Lost my dad, got up and fought again Lost my mom, got up, bruised, and struggled to gain my footing Lost my marriage…got up all alone Faced life’s challenges on my own And then lost my only child Was going for the ninth round Got that knock out blow To the heart I just didn’t know Thought I could go the distance After losing my dad, my mom, and my husband Thought I could make it Then dealt that fatal blow When I […]

Read More
Open to  hope

To Mandi, Debi and Jami and Linda

Posted on August 14, 2007 - by admin

Mandi, My heart aches for you and your family. May is so soon. Please be gentle with yourself. I found that I had to become protective of my energy since I had so little of it at times. Being a mother, I had been accustomed to always doing for others. But during this process, I had to give myself permission to be a little selfish. I also had to give myself permission to feel what I felt at the time. It takes too much of that precious energy to fight our own emotions. Find someone with whom you can talk […]

Read More
Open to  hope

My 4 year old son drowned in a town sponsored program

Posted on August 13, 2007 - by admin

Almost 4 weeks ago my 4 year old son drowned in a town sponsered rec program. He was found under the dock. They wouldnt allow them to wear life jackets because there were too many kids. The dock was shaped like a lower case h where the kids are only supposed to be in the shallow u end. I cant find the words or strength to move on. He was my best friend, His 5 year old brother was with him and had to watch the whole thing. In Massachusetts for every 10 kids there needs to be 1 lifegaurd. […]

Read More
Open to  hope

A poem for Michael

Posted on August 13, 2007 - by Abel Keogh

Michael, Heart racing, shallow breaths, the tears keep falling without rest. For you left me without a goodbye, softly in your sleep you did die. Feelings of regret,need and dispare, for you my angel i do care. Memories creep in awake or asleep, these are the little things i will keep. Until we meet again my heart will ache, but i will stay strong for our kids sake. Love you Mick xxxxx Jodie

Read More
Open to  hope

Poem: For Michael

Posted on August 13, 2007 - by admin

Michael, Heart racing, shallow breaths, the tears keep falling without rest. For you left me without a goodbye, softly in your sleep you did die. Feelings of regret, need and despair, for you my angel, I do care. Memories creep in awake or asleep, these are the little things I will keep. Until we meet again my heart will ache, but i will stay strong for our kids sake. Love you Mick xxxxx Jodie

Read More