Loss of a Family Member

Articles

  • The Things You Loved Most

    Posted on April 28, 2026 - by Beth Marshall

     Have you ever lost someone close, and in the brain fog of grief, wondered if you might forget some of the things you loved most about them? Their infectious belly laugh, extravagant generosity, or maybe their unconditional love for people? I get it.   Since losing several of my closest and favorite family members- my beloved Mom, Dad, Nana, sister-in-love, Kay, and most recently, my “splendiferous” (his word) brother Mike, I’ve been trying to dig deep and remember exactly what it was that made each of their lives so memorable and magnificent.                           What if you could be the […]

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  • CHANGE: IT’S INEVITABLE

    Posted on November 4, 2025 - by Barbara Ann Fields

    When we are children growing up, it usually never enters our mind that anything, or anybody in our lives will ever change. We envision our parents as being with us always. Our grandparents are a delight and we certainly can’t imagine our lives disconnected from them. Without a doubt, in our innocent thinking, we will sail into the beautiful sunset with all of our siblings. What a devastating wake-up call to find out that people die, that our lives forever change when the people we love the most go by way of the grave. When we lost extended and distant […]

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  • After Loss: Fear Can Be An Asset to Grieving Individuals

    Posted on May 13, 2025 - by David Roberts

      “No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear”– C.S. Lewis This first line in C.S. Lewis’s book A Grief Observed , inspired me to reflect on how I experienced fear during the early days of grief following my daughter Jeannine’s death. Jeannine was eighteen when she died on March 1,2003 from cancer. My fear manifested in uncertainty about my ability to live again in a world without my daughter. I feared that my other children would also die. These fears were triggered because my once predictable ,orderly and safe world was a distant memory. To […]

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  • When One Loss Follows Another

    Posted on May 27, 2024 - by Anne Peterson

    I’m 12 years old and our family is living in a 3rd floor apartment. The phone rings on this summer day. Mom answers. I watch the color leave her face. I hear sentence fragments. “A lone driver…he didn’t see her…the truck was backing up……a closed casket.” Hanging up the phone, Mom tells all of us to come and sit down. She said that Julie, our six-year-old cousin, had won a bicycle and she ran outside to ride it. Julie hoped everyone would see her, but the garbage man didn’t. Julie died. It was hard to see my mom cry. It […]

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  • Finding God’s Comfort Through Loss

    Posted on May 27, 2024 - by Anne Peterson

    Finding God’s Comfort Through Loss “Just go downstairs and wait for your aunt, she’ll be here soon,” my mom said. I can hardly wait. Our aunt is taking us to Kiddieland. I start going down the steps and make up a new song, using words the grown-ups were using. When you’re only 6, you don’t know what all the words mean, but you can still sing them. “Yia Yia’s dead…Yia Yia’s dead…” I see Aunt Jeanette coming up the stairs. She hears my words, rushing past me. “Wait! Aren’t we going to Kiddie…?” I call out. But she doesn’t stop […]

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Open to Hope TV

  • Episode 252: Transforming Loss Through Purpose and Meaning

    Posted on October 5, 2025 - by admin

    How do we transform our loss through purpose and meaning?  Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley with their guests Dana Lerner, Georgia Lavey, and Casey Mulligan Walsh to discuss finding purpose and meaning after a loss. Dana Lerner is a psychotherapist in NYC, and the founder of Cooper Stocks Way, and co-founder of Families for Safe Streets.  Georgia Lavey is a licensed clinical social worker, and the Clinical Program Director at Our House Grief Support Center in New York City, where she oversees the design and implementation of grief support programs. Casey Mulligan Walsh […]

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  • Episode 250: Grief and the Role of Faith

    Posted on October 3, 2025 - by admin

    When you have suffered a loss, what is the role of faith?  Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley and their guests; Casey Mulligan Walsh, Dana Lerner, and Georgia Lavey as they discuss faith and the role it played or didn’t play after their losses.  Casey Mulligan is a the author of the award winning memoir;  The Full Catastrophe: All I Every Wanted, Everything I Feared, and has written for the NY Times, Modern Loss, and Huff Post.  Dana Lerner is a psychotherapist in NYC, and the founder of Cooper Stocks Way, and co-founder of […]

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  • Episode 235: Navigating Loss

    Posted on December 20, 2024 - by admin

    Losses are complicated, how do we navigate them?  Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley and their guests; Julie Ryan, Sarah Voleman and Dr. Korie Leigh to talk about navigating loss. Julie Ryan is a Medical Intuitive. She is the author of, Angelic Attendants: What Really Happens As We Transition From This Life Into The Next, and Angel Messages, picture books answering kids’ tough questions. Julie hosts the “Ask Julie Ryan” show which is heard by millions worldwide. Sarah Voleman is a board certified art therapist and a licensed social worker.  She is a faculty member […]

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  • Episode 231: Faces of Grief

    Posted on November 6, 2024 - by admin

    Grief comes in many forms, and on this show we will talk about the groundbreaking book “Faces of Grief.” Join Dr. Heidi Horsley and Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, to discuss Faces of Grief. Joining them are Bill Correll, Jan Jeremias, Carin Mikos, and Kate Mollison. Co-host Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki is a somatic therapist, who started SIBS online, a weekly peer support group. Bill Correll has a podcast called Lightening the Candle: A World the Works.” Jan Jeremias, is the best selling author of “Spoil Your Pet: A Practical Guide to Using Essential Oils in Dogs and Cats.” Carin Mikos is the creator of […]

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  • Episode 230: Turning Loss into Legacy

    Posted on November 6, 2024 - by admin

    How do we turn loss into Legacy? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her co-host Alan Pedersen to talk about the creative ways that people have turned loss into legacy. Joining them are Kate Mollison, Jordon Ferber, Kelli Holst, and Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki. Co-host Alan Pedersen has presented programs for grieving families in over 1,600 cities, and is the former Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends. Kate Mollison, is the founder and CEO of “On Tuesdays We Wear Black.” Jordon Ferber, runs an online Compassionate Friends sibling goup, and is podcast host for Where’s the Grief. Kelli Holst, is the Founder […]

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  • Episode 229: Grief as a Teacher

    Posted on November 6, 2024 - by admin

    Is it possible to learn something from your grief? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her co-host Alan Pedersen as they discuss how grief can be a teacher. Joining them are, Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, Carin Mikos, Jan Jeremias, Bill Correll, Jordon Ferber, and Kelli Holst. Co-host Alan Pedersen has presented programs for grieving families in over 1,600 cities and is the former Executive Director for The Compassionate Friends. Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, is a somatic therapist, who started SIBS online, a weekly peer to peer support group. Carin Mikos, is the creator of Quietus House, and podcast host for In the Gap. Jan […]

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  • Episode 225: Turning Grief Into Growth

    Posted on September 12, 2024 - by admin

    Early on in grief, it’s often impossible to believe that there will ever be any growth. Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter and co-host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests, Maria Georgapoulos, Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn, Dr. Frank Powers, and Jordon Ferber to discuss how their grief has changed and transformed over the years. Maria Georgapoulos is a licensed mental health counselor, and founder of Roulas Kids, a place for grieving children and their families. Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn is a journalist, and blogger, and the author of, “The Empty Room, Understanding Sibling Loss,” and “The Death of Cancer.” Dr. Frank […]

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  • Episode 224: Healing Guilt, Anger, and Regret After A Loss

    Posted on September 12, 2024 - by admin

    Dealing with guilt, anger, and regret after loss is often difficult. Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her daughter and co-host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Jordon Ferber, Dr. Frank Powers, and Maria Georgapoulos for a candid conversation about this topic. Jordon Ferber is a comedian, host of “Where’s the Grief” podcast, and co-founder of the Russel Ferber Foundation. Dr. Frank Powers a licensed psychologist, has been in private practice for over 40 years, and is the author of “Finding Love After Loss.” Maria Georgapoulos is a licensed mental health counselor, and founder of Roulas Kids, a place […]

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  • Episode 223: Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children

    Posted on September 11, 2024 - by admin

    How do we not only understand bereaved children, but support them after a loss? Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley , along with their guests Dr. Frank Powers, Maria Georgapoulos, and Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn and learn techniques for helping children. Dr. Frank Powers a licensed psychologist, has been in private practice for over 40 years, and is the author of “Finding Love After Loss.” Maria Georgapoulos, is a licensed mental health counselor, and founder of Roulas Kids, a place for grieving children and their families. Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn is a journalist, and blogger, and the […]

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  • Episode 221: Navigating Children’s Grief

    Posted on July 15, 2024 - by admin

    Are you wondering how to connect with grieving children and help them navigate their grief?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her co-host Doneley Meris, along with guests Lindsey Whissel Fenton and Greg Adams, as they discuss tips and tools to support grieving children.  Doneley Meris is the Founder and Director of the HIV Arts Network and an adjunct faculty member at NYU and Hunter College. Lindsey Whissel Fenton is the creator of Speaking Grief and Learning Grief, and host of The Apologies Podcast.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Childrens’ Grief.  Greg […]

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