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Articles:

Poem: I Wish

Mother, I never imagined you’ll be standing at my grave Praying, chatting with me, fearless and brave Mother, I know you are so miserable and sad And no one can ease your pain, even Dad I know your happy days with me are gone Can a mother ever be content after losing a daughter or a son? Life will forever be to you incomplete And joyful events will always be bittersweet Mother, rest assured that I hear your cries And listen to your aching heart and silent sighs I wish I can come and wipe away your flowing tears Including […]

How to Be Kind to Yourself When Mourning

Have you forgotten all about your physical needs since the death of your loved one? Perhaps you have lost all interest in life. Are you afraid to focus your attention on anything other than the deceased, because you believe to do so means you are being disrespectful? Forgetting the self and thinking that any form of enjoyment when grieving is wrong, causes millions of mourners unnecessary suffering. The beliefs that fuel these behaviors exist and are reinforced based on a lack of information about the nature of the grief process. Grieving is arduous mental and physical work; it affects every […]

Poem: Can You Take Away My Endless Pain?

Can you take away my endless pain? Then, stop preaching! Your plea is in vain “It is good to do this or do that” you comment “To have closure and move on and stop your lament” These words make my heart ache Please, do not mention them for my sake I know your intention is to comfort me However, you are causing me pain, can’t you see? Time is the best healer everyone says It will get better and easier throughout the days You do not understand, it is a shame! Believe me I know it is out of love, […]

Poem: A Year Has Passed

A broken heart, mine has become From a pain that is only known to some There is no pain like a mother’s pain Who is unable to see her daughter again A year has gone, my precious one When you said, “Mum, come watch the sun” Hours later, you were called to heaven above Leaving me astounded and all those you love No tears can wash away the grief in my heart Your death has ripped it to pieces apart The amazing woman you have grown Blessed with many things, let wit alone Has been chosen to leave early, by […]

I’m So Lost Without My Son

I lost my 20 year old son October 12, 2006 and I am so lost without him we did everything together .He was my best friend and my only child. The loss and desperation that I feel cannot be explained. There seems not to be any consoling or relief of the hole that I have in my heart. Bill was so happy his laughter and love of life was contagious, his smile lit a room. He never said a bad word about anyone or anything.My son now rests in the hands of Jesus, and lights the stars and moon at […]

I Have Lost 2 Sons, a Brother and My Mother. What Do I Do Now?

My youngest son, Chad 17 died in and auto wreck on 1-1-04 at age 17, his older brother was all that held me together. Chuck turned 20 that year, we just hung on to each other. I made him leave me and go to college one week after the funeral. We take everyday. Then 2-12-2006 I got the next horrible phone call telling me Chuck was dead. Now I just don’t know what to do. I CAN’T get over it. I was getting a little better and then on July 6th my brother died and on july 7 my mom […]

My Daughter was Killed on My Motercycle

Katrina- My heart goes out to you. On August 25th, 2007, I laid my motorcycle down and as the tragic events go?that ride cost me my 10year old daughter. She was riding on the bike w/me. Brooke was my everything. I was there, I lived it and I live w/the lingering guilt everyday, I did this to her. I go to bed each night hating myself and wake up everyday wondering why people are so kind to me. If it weren?t for my 12 year old son, I think my husband would outwardly hate me for the responsibility I bare […]

Poem: Colors

The Earth lost all its color the day you went away I look around and all I see are different shades of gray If I to traveled up to space and looked in the rear view mirror The Earth would be as pale as the moon Without you living here. The forests dull, fields turning brown All I know each day is that you’re not around. Bright orange poppies Amazing color you might see… But even they look faded… insignificant to me. Where did the beauty go? Why can’t I see it? Why did the world fade away. It doesn’t […]

My 3 Day Old Granddaughter Died

My granddaughter died when she was three days old her mother was in labor and fell which caused the placenta to tear loose from the wall. I have been dealing with the loss but my greater concern is my daughter-in-law I love her as my own and she is not the same mother that she was to her other 2 children she feels that everything is ok but I really that she needs more help this is a loss that has no time limit or timetable for when ?we?re all better? I just don?t want to lose her too!!! I […]

I Lost My Son 4 Years Ago

I lost my 33 year old son 4 years ago. We were like each half of one whole person. My love for him was very intense and when he died in a cliff dive in Lake Havasu, AZ, I died too. I have another son and a grandson that I love but nothing seems to give me any joy in life. Maybe someone can tell me how to get my joy back. I say I had 2 lives, back when I was happy and the other when my son Seanne died. Can I expect to feel this way the rest […]

Open to Hope is an online community offering inspirational stories of loss, hope and recovery. We believe hope is the bridge between loss and recovery.