Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 43 years, is the author of thousands of articles, and 47 books, including 10 grief resources. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Alliance of Independent Authors, Minnesota Coalition for Grief Education and Support, and Grief Coalition of Southeastern Minnesota. She is well acquainted with grief. In 2007 four family members died—her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren), father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and the twins’ father. Multiple losses shifted the focus of Hodgson’s work from general health to grief resolution and healing. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. In addition to writing for Open to Hope, Hodgson is a contributing writer for The Grief Toolbox website and The Caregiver Space website. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at The Compassionate Friends national conference, Bereaved Parents of the USA national conference, and Zoom grief conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. For more information about this busy grandmother, great grandmother, author, and speaker please visit I’m no longer Assistant Editor, I’m the author of 47 books, and my website is www.harriethodgson.net.

Articles:

A Mother’s Love Lives On

My daughter died in 2007 from the injuries she received in a car crash. At the time of her death, she was soaring in life. She was a composite engineer, had an MBA, six industry certifications, a job she enjoyed, excellent performance reviews, and was assured of advancement in the company. Life was brighter than it had ever been and then she died. Her death was bad enough. Two days later, my father-in-law died. Then my brother (and only sibling) died. Nine months after my daughter died, my former son-in-law, father of my twin grandchildren, died from the injuries he […]

Bereaved Parent Lives Life in Kairos Time

Six years have passed since my daughter died from the injuries she received in a car crash. Three other family members died the same year. As I look back on my bereavement journey, I see spikes of grief – a rush of painful feelings – some expected and some unexpected. I also see that multiple losses and time have changed me. Recently I read an article by Elizabeth Harper Neeld, PhD, published on the Legacy Connect website. The article, “How Long is this Grieving Going to Last,” describes two types of time, chronos and kairos. I hadn’t encountered these words […]

Boston Deaths and Injuries Disrespect the Miracle of Life

When I first heard about the explosions in Boston I took a deep breath. Two explosions would probably cause some deaths. Now I know an eight year old boy was killed and a father’s adult son lost his legs. This news makes me heartsick and brings back some of the feelings I had after my adult daughter died. A child is always your child, no matter his or her age. Having a child die before you goes against nature’s plan. No parent should have to bury a child, yet some are doing that after the Boston terrorist attack. How can […]

Walking Your Way Out of Grief

You’re grieving now, feeling lost, alone, helpless, and depressed. I understand some of your feelings. Six years ago, my elder daughter and father-in-law died the same weekend. My husband and I felt crushed by grief and we sat on the couch and sobbed for weeks. Finally, our sobs waned and we went for a walk in the neighborhood. Walking felt good after sitting so long. My husband and I kept walking. Though we didn’t walk daily, we walked regularly, several times a week. While we were walking, we talked about our loved ones and how grief had changed us. As […]

Your Grieving Style: Is it Helping or Hurting You?

Until I lost four family members in 2007, I never thought about grieving styles. Then my daughter, father-in-law, brother, and my grandchildren’s father died. I was paralyzed with loss and wondered if I would always be unhappy. Thankfully, common sense kicked in and I decided to help myself. What did I do? I sat down at the computer and started writing about grief and recovery. My articles were short, with an average count of 500 words, and posted on a royalty-free website. National organizations found the articles and posted them as well. Writing helped me so much I made a […]

Anniversary Reactions and a Strange Week

February 23rd was the sixth anniversary of my daughter’s death. A week before this day came, my mind was filled with memories of my daughter. I remembered the sugar-free apple pies she baked for us. I remembered how much fun she had with her twins. I remembered her sitting on our living room floor, laughing uproariously, and slapping her knee. Some unhappy memories also came to mind and I accepted them. “I’m going to be okay,” I told myself. But things weren’t okay and I kept making mistakes, silly mistakes I wouldn’t ordinarily make. For example, I sent my graphic […]

The Grief Process: Dealing with Painful Memories

February 23rd is the sixth anniversary of my daughter’s death. I’m not looking forward to it. Just thinking about the day dredges up painful memories and images. At the time, my father-in-law was in the hospital and being treated for pneumonia. My daughter, who admired him greatly, took time off from work to be with him. She sat by his hospital bed and worked at her laptop computer. “She was here all night,” Dad declared, a statement that wasn’t true, “and she cured me.” But my daughter didn’t cure Dad. In fact, she died two days before he did from […]

Making Lemonade: Building on Life’s Challenges

Almost everyone has heard the saying, “When life sends you lemons, make lemonade.” In 2007, I received a bushel-full of lemons: the death of my daughter, death of my father-in-law, death of my brother and only sibling, death of my former son-in-law, and becoming guardian of 15-year-old grandchildren. Six years have passed since I suffered these multiple losses. Now I’m able to see my recovery journey more clearly. To be honest, I’ve surprised myself. Where did the courage come from? How did I make lemonade? First, I made a conscious decision to choose happiness. At my age and stage of life, […]

Silence, a Source of Comfort for the Bereaved

Speaking to community groups is something I really enjoy. My latest talk is called “What Can You Say to Someone Who is Grieving?” and it’s been well-received. I was about to leave the church meeting hall when a woman approached me. She had a purposeful expression on her face. “Your talk was wonderful!” she exclaimed. “But you forgot something. I kept listening for it, but you didn’t say it.” “What was that?” I asked curiously. “Silence,” she replied. “Silence as comfort.” She told me a story about meeting a distraught woman at a memorial service. The mother of the deceased […]

Writing to a Friend in Hospice

Because I was out of town for several weekends, I missed several Sunday church services. When I returned to church, I saw a friend of mine. She had lost so much weight she barely looked like herself and was wearing a cap to conceal her bare head. “Oh my gosh, she has cancer,” I thought to myself. The next Sunday my friend sought me out. She gave me a CD, a recording of the lay church service I had given several weeks ago. “This is for you,” she said with a smile. Her gesture surprised and touched me. “Thanks so […]

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.