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

Final Flight of My Mother’s Spirit

Posted on November 20, 2006 - by admin

For the moment, I am alone in the room. I take the time to let my weary eyelids lower over my eyes, expelling a long, soft breath past my lips as I do. A secret wish that what lingers before me would be gone when I opened my eyes, breezes through my mind. I cannot see for this little while, but I can still hear. The mechanical sounds landing on my ears defy and deceive the wish I?ve just made. Indeed, in my mind, I know it?s real; yet, my heart will always feel differently. Although my mind will suffer […]

Read More
Open to hope

New Orleans Grief

Posted on November 19, 2006 - by admin

In a New York Times article on December 11, 2005, Clifford J. Levy remarks that “it has become almost taboo to discuss any proposal more modest than an immediate and total rebuilding…Suggest that New Orleans needs to consider repopulating only elevated areas, leaving especially flood-prone ones to lie fallow, and you will be shouted down.”

Read More
Open to hope

Helping a Friend Who is Coping With Anticipatory Grief

Posted on November 19, 2006 - by Harriet Hodgson

Friends share their lives with each other. You swap stories, laugh at silly jokes, and discuss tough issues. Whether it’s before death or after, no issue is tougher than grief. “Close friends can make the critical difference in our coping with grief,” writes Judy Tatelbaum in “The Courage to Grieve.”

Read More
Open to hope

Anticipatory Grief Symptoms: What’s the Big Deal?

Posted on November 19, 2006 - by Harriet Hodgson

Anticipatory grief has been described as a “normal process,” but life is far from normal if you’re going through it. Some experts list symptoms in broad terms, and others list them in detail. Short list or long, anticipatory grief symptoms are jarring. You may have bouts of crying, for example, a symptom that upsets you and those around you. You may hold back your tears because you have to be strong for your loved one. All through the day you have a choked feeling in your throat. Holding back tears takes lots of energy and, before long, you’re exhausted.

Read More
Open to hope

What is an Appropriate Sympathy Gift?

Posted on November 19, 2006 - by admin

When a friend or loved one is grieving, it is hard to know what to say or how to show your support. When you want to provide comfort and support and show your concern for a family member, a friend, or an associate, a personalized gift is always an ideal choice. The best gifts are those given and chosen from the heart. It says that you really care and have taken the time to think about the time after the initial grief of losing a loved one … during the alone and lonely times.

Read More
Open to hope

Passing Legacy Forward – Food Memories

Posted on November 18, 2006 - by admin

Oscar and Eleanor lived on a farm in the valley next to the river. As children we spent many wonderful times with this childless couple. They spoiled us with birthday and holiday gifts. I watched Oscar milk cows and fed them grain. Eleanor let me help her make chocolate cake or bake bread in her wood cook stove.

Read More
Open to hope

Suicide: The Easy Way Out For Some, Means Tears And Pain For Others

Posted on November 18, 2006 - by admin

People who commit suicide are very selfish people. They do not inflict their own pain. They inflict pain on their innocent family and friends they leave behind–the ones that are capable of caring and loving unselfishly. Nobody deserves that much pain. We might have all said this at one time or another, ?I?m going to kill myself,? or ?I might as well be dead, no one will care.? We might have all thought it from one time or another. I admit that I have said it and contemplated it.

Read More
Open to hope

Grief Support: The Don’ts

Posted on November 18, 2006 - by

1) Don’t try to make the grieving person feel better. YOU CANNOT. For many grievers it only serves to make them feel guilty or worse. Grievers MUST experience the pain of grief for healing to ultimately occur. 2) Don’t tell the griever to give it time. Time has stopped for the griever. Life proceeds in slow motion. Life is too surreal to be identified with time.

Read More
Open to hope

Grief Support: The Don’ts

Posted on November 18, 2006 - by admin

1) Don’t try to make the grieving person feel better. YOU CANNOT. For many grievers it only serves to make them feel guilty or worse. Grievers MUST experience the pain of grief for healing to ultimately occur. 2) Don’t tell the griever to give it time. Time has stopped for the griever. Life proceeds in slow motion. Life is too surreal to be identified with time.

Read More
Open to hope

Grief Support: The Don’ts

Posted on November 18, 2006 - by admin

1) Don?t try to make the grieving person feel better. YOU CANNOT. For many grievers it only serves to make them feel guilty or worse. Grievers MUST experience the pain of grief for healing to ultimately occur. 2) Don?t tell the griever to give it time. Time has stopped for the griever. Life proceeds in slow motion. Life is too surreal to be identified with time.

Read More

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2025 Open to Hope