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

Christmas Mourning

Posted on December 24, 2006 - by admin

Deecember is a cruel month. Christmas sales, decorations, advertisements -everyone seems so happy and cheerful – it’s easy to feel alone. It’s precisely at these happy times that the loss of our loved one can be felt the strongest. We remember only too well who is missing. Whether our loss was recent or whether it occurred many years ago, we are constantly surrounded by sights and sounds that trigger memories of holidays past, and wracked with dreams of what might have been. Holidays involve expectations about getting together with family, about special meals or special gifts, and special traditions. Even […]

Read More
Open to hope

Grief and Loss: The Secret to Surviving Life’s Unexpected Storms

Posted on December 24, 2006 - by admin

PHASE I: Acknowledge It If you bury an issue without dealing with it, it will eventually resurrect itself in some form. Hiding from the pain will never make it go away. Instead, it only prolongs the process of healing. If you have ever experienced significant loss, or even severe abuse in some form, then you know that there is an initial shock phase where the occurrence seems surreal. This is normal initially, but then there comes a time when you have to acknowledge what has occurred, before you can ever move toward the road to recovery. It seems easier to […]

Read More
Open to hope

Healing But Not A Cure

Posted on December 22, 2006 - by admin

There is a program on cable called New Morning and hosted by Timberly Whitfield. It is 60 minutes of inspirational pieces surrounding weekly themes. I do not always get to watch the early morning show, but do receive their daily newsletter, which encapsulates the daily show. One week?s theme focused on courage. Certainly, a timely subject given the circumstances so many people have had to face with the aftermath of Katrina, Darfur, war in Iraq, and personal issues for many of us including loss.

Read More
Open to hope

December 21, 2006: Dealing With the Holidays – Susan Van Vleck

Posted on December 21, 2006 - by admin

HEALING THE GRIEVING HEART Dealing with the Holidays Hosts:? Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley With guest:? Susan Van Vleck December 21, 2006 G:?Hello.? I?m Dr. Gloria Horsley with my co-host H:?Dr. Heidi Horsley. G:?Each week we welcome you to Healing the Grieving Heart, a show of hope and conversation with those who have suffered the loss of a loved one and for health care professionals who work in this most difficult field.? And as always the message is others have been there before you and made it, you do not walk alone.? If you?re listening to our Thursday […]

Read More
Open to hope

December 21, 2006: Dealing With The Holidays: Susan Van Vleck

Posted on December 21, 2006 - by admin

DECEMBER 21, 2006 ? DEALING WITH THE HOLIDAYS: SUSAN VAN VLECK.? Following the death of her 19-year-old son, Marc, in 1992, Susan Van Vleck was looking for meaning.? Marc?s death motivated Susan to graduate with honors from Kennesaw State University receiving a degree in Sociology and Human Services.? She has attended several American Academy of Bereavement seminars.? Susan has been a facilitator for Good Grief, a six-week program based on Granger Westberg?s book Good Grief and was a Promina Northwest Hospice Volunteer in Marietta, Georgia, for two years.? She is also a National Board Member for The Compassionate Friends.? Susan […]

Read More
Open to hope

Dealing with the Holidays: Susan Van Vleck

Posted on December 21, 2006 - by

Following the death of her younger son, Marc, age 19, in 1992, Susan Van Vleck was looking for meaning. Marc’s death motivated Susan to enter and graduate with honors from Kennesaw State University receiving a degree in Sociology and Human Services. She has attended several American Academy of Bereavement seminars. Susan has been a facilitator for Good Grief; a six-week program based on Granger Westberg’s book Good Grief and was a Promina Northwest Hospice Volunteer in Marietta, GA for two years. She is a National Board Member for The Compassionate Friends. Susan knows it isn’t the life you planed, but […]

Read More
Open to hope

Dealing with the Holidays: Susan Van Vleck

Posted on December 21, 2006 - by admin

Following the death of her younger son, Marc, age 19, in 1992, Susan Van Vleck was looking for meaning. Marc’s death motivated Susan to enter and graduate with honors from Kennesaw State University receiving a degree in Sociology and Human Services. She has attended several American Academy of Bereavement seminars. Susan has been a facilitator for Good Grief; a six-week program based on Granger Westberg’s book Good Grief and was a Promina Northwest Hospice Volunteer in Marietta, GA for two years. She is a National Board Member for The Compassionate Friends. Susan knows it isn’t the life you planed, but […]

Read More
Open to hope

December 21st Radio Show: Dealing with the Holidays: Susan Van Vleck: 9 AM PST – Noon EST

Posted on December 21, 2006 - by admin

Following the death of her younger son, Marc, age 19, in 1992, Susan Van Vleck was looking for meaning. Marc?s death motivated Susan to enter and graduate with honors from Kennesaw State University receiving a degree in Sociology and Human Services. She has attended several American Academy of Bereavement seminars. Susan has been a facilitator for Good Grief; a six-week program based on Granger Westberg?s book Good Grief and was a Promina Northwest Hospice Volunteer in Marietta, GA for two years. She is a National Board Member for The Compassionate Friends. Susan knows it isn?t the life you planed, but […]

Read More
Open to hope

Grief – Why Do We Grieve?

Posted on December 21, 2006 - by admin

A young boy is close to his mother. He is five years old and she is thirty years old. She is in contact with her everyday of his life. He experiences her love in many forms. The way she calls him, the way she gives him shower, the way she feeds him conditions the boy to expect a certain kind of response from his mother. His senses of touch, smell, hearing and vision give input to his nervous system that

Read More
Open to hope

Child Bereavement: Words of Comfort for a Child

Posted on December 19, 2006 - by admin

Young people need as much time to grieve after the death of someone close, whether they show it or not. The most common issue for a parent is that the child doesn?t ?seem? to be distressed so they don?t want to upset them. Children are in a world where they are used to not having control over things and therefore often accept things quicker that doesn?t mean that it is ok with them though. Their feelings can be

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2025 Open to Hope