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Articles:

Child Bereavement: Words of Comfort for a Child

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 hidden from people, the child often watches the grown up to see how they are ?supposed to react. It is a very […]

Grief, Part Three

Why You? And now, dear Friend, why you for the blizzards of life that temporarily whip off the blossoms and fruit? Because God loves you! He wants to strengthen you so you can be His special ambassador to carry to others His message of hope to a struggling world so in need of comfort and love. If you can see your sorrow as a gift from God (yes, I know this sounds impossible!) then I believe it helps the healing process. I tried to see Chuck’s death as his legacy to the world, and that God appointed me his executor […]

Grief, Part Two

My greatest anxiety for weeks after my son’s death was his salvation. It haunted me. But two dear editor friends within hours of each other quoted this same verse, and I accepted it as a sign from my Father that my mind is forever at rest on this matter: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). Of course He will! When we lose a loved one, we must learn to say, “It is finished,” and know that God will rightly judge. Too, some presume to know who is saved and who is lost. Because Chuck […]

Grief, Part One

On December 16, 1976, our oldest son came home for the Christmas holidays, got the shotgun and went to the adjacent woods. At 7:10 p.m. we heard him scream and then shoot himself to death. Four months later I wrote a booklet titled Grief which went into a world-wide ministry. The booklet is now out of print and I offer it to you, dear reader, in God’s name and grace. May it help give you peace in a world that has become very confused and sad. In Loving Memory of our son Chuck and in thanksgiving for our sons Richard, […]

How to Cope with Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory grief is the name given to the mix of emotions experienced when we are living in expectation of loss and grieving because of it. Anticipatory Grief is particularly relevant to those who have received a terminal diagnosis and for those who love and care for them.

Therapeutic Writing: Turning Grief Into A Best Seller

Grief is not always sad and depressing, but can be inspiring and encouraging. Everyone deals with grief differently. Writing is an avenue through which healing begins. Something inside is unleashed, as a creative literary embryo develops and is born. This newborn combines tear jerking memories and a dash of optimism to turn melancholy into joy and productivity.

The Amish Mourn Their Children

There is something so tragic in last month’s awful murder of those sweet unassuming Amish kids. We associate the Amish with being lovers of peace, living a life of separatism and simplicity, rejecting the electronic machinery that the rest of us take for granted. No cars, no televisions, no computers or I-Pods, just a close-to-God way of life that at times we wish we could emulate, for its harmony with the earth and its closeness to others in the community. Visiting neighbors is part of the community structure, they actually know who their neighbors

Welcome to our new Blog

Welcome to our new interactive blog! This is our “temporary home” — we’ll be changing the design, adding new features, including tons of audio, podcasts, articles, maybe some video and of course your stories, questions and comments. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is one of life’s most difficult challenges. The Grief Blog’s goal is to enhance the work our community is already doing and provide an open forum with the singular goal of helping one another. If you haven’t already, please take advantage of the resources provided by our the great people at http://www.thecompassionatefriends.org , visit our […]

October 12, 2006 Death of an Adult Child – Natalie Smith-Blakeslee

HEALING THE GRIEVING HEART Death of an Adult Child Hosts:? Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley With guest:? Natalie Smith-Blakeslee October 12, 2006 G:?Hello, I?m Dr. Gloria Horsley.? Welcome to Healing the Grieving Heart.? If you?re listening today to Thursday, our live Internet show, please join Heidi and me on the show by calling our toll-free number 1-866-472-5792 with questions or comments regarding the losses in your life.? This show is a show of hope and renewal for those who have suffered the loss of a child or a sibling or a grandchild and always our message is others […]

OCTOBER 12, 2006 – DEATH OF AN ADULT CHILD: NATALIE SMITH-BLAKESLEE

OCTOBER 12, 2006 – DEATH OF AN ADULT CHILD:? NATALIE SMITH-BLAKESLEE.? For more than ten years Natalie Smith-Blakeslee has connected parents with the children they have lost with her “Messages from the Light” She thought she understood what it was like for a parent to lose a child. She had no clue until her 27 year old daughter, Carrie, passed from leukemia on October 2, 2005. Just twelve short months after her daughter passing, she is driven to help other bereaved parents who endure the same loss through a website she made in memory of Carrie called “Healing Hearts Haven.”? […]

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.