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Articles:

A Letter About Job Stress and Suicide

Workplace Stress And Suicide In many states, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults. In 1998, our son, Keith Loehr, started a job in new-product development after receiving his MBA. The stress from this job, along with the lack of support from his company, were major factors in his decision to end his life seven months later. The impact of his death was enormous. Counting our family, Keith’s co-workers, his friends, our friends, and my employees, Keith’s suicide hurt hundreds of people. The collective negative impact on morale and productivity was enormous. Companies should consider a […]

Musical Memories Research

If you would like to be involved in a friend of the Blogs research please respond to the following.????? Dr. Gloria???????? When preparing for the end-of-life, we can create a Legacy of Love providing those we leave behind with a continuing bond through which they can reunite and reconnect with us, easing the painful experience of loss. Musical Memories are a powerful component of this and a direct way to help alleviate such grief. By bequeathing a special song, to be presented as a gift after our death, we can create a very sincere and powerful reminder of our love. […]

I Have Lost Three Children

I have lost 3 children. I had been seeing a Psychotherapist and he told me that it was like 911. That he could not help me. The Psychiatrist that worked along with the Psychotherapist dropped me saying he was unable to help me, which effected me terribly. I felt betrayed. I am in bed all of the time, have no interest in anything. My husband is suffering terribly, and holding it inside. I am not in any out bursts to upset him, but he must see that I am very bad. Is there anyone that can help me? Prior: I […]

I Lost My Daughter 9 Weeks Ago

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 […]

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

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 […]

Poem: Going the Distance

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 […]

To Mandi, Debi and Jami and Linda

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 […]

My 4 year old son drowned in a town sponsored program

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. […]

Poem: For Michael

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

I lost my son, Dylan on May 21

My son Dylan was died on May 21, 2007. He was hit by a 4?4 truck driven by a so-called friend the night before. I can not actually believe that he is really gone. I still think he will come walking through the door at some point. The past 2 weeks, I am starting to come out of the fog that hit once he died. I am now realizing the fog was the easy part?.now that it is fading reality is setting in. A reality I am not sure I can handle. Everyone says how strong I am, but on […]

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.