The Open to Hope Community

The Open to Hope Community Leader is here to answer questions, provide support, and maintain a healthy, positive environment at opentohope.com. This is the next line.

Articles:

I Am Grasping At Straws

I just came to this site because I am grasping at straws. I lost my beloved first born son on June 10th. It was a para-suicide attempt that was nightmarishly successful. There is so much to say. My pain is so raw, and all-encompassing. It seems that people think I should get over it and ?get better?. I am in such a private dark place that I don?t even get that upset by well meaning though stupid remarks. My love will never die, and I think some people are saying something like that when they say I?ll get over it. […]

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. […]

A Note to a Friend, a New Widow

Dear Friends of the Grief Blog, Heather?s note to her friend, who just lost her husband, reminds us all how difficult it is for the school year to start without our special people.? Heather is a school teacher and my daughter and Heidi?s sister.? I wanted to share this note with all of you because I was so touched with how she shared her brother?s death in order to help a friend.? Thanks for all of you and take special care of yourselves for the next few weeks.? Dr. Gloria? ? Gloria C. Horsley Ph.D. Melinda, Hope the first days […]

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 […]

A Sudden Death of a Healthy Man

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 […]

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 […]

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.