Loss of a Family Member

After Loss of a parent

Stories of others who have lost parents will inspire and support you. Read, listen and watch. Hope is the bridge between loss and recovery.

Articles

  • When Both Parents Die

    Posted on June 3, 2025 - by Sweta Vikram

    When Both Parents Die May is when most people start to plan their summer vacations; May is the month my heart pounds louder than anything I have ever heard. It’s the month I lost my parents 9 years and 3 days apart. It’s the month my father-in-law passed away. In May 2023, my father and my husband’s father died 2 days apart, one day shy of Mom’s 9th death anniversary. I know, my story sounds like an episode from a horror show. There’s something peculiar about becoming parentless when you’re already “grown.” People assume it’s easier. People who haven’t lost both […]

    Read More
  • Open to hope

    Nature and Grief: Empowering Teachings from the World Around Us

    Posted on May 23, 2025 - by David Roberts

    Nature and Grief Following the death of my eighteen-year-old daughter Jeannine in March of 2003, I embraced non-ordinary phenomena to help me develop new insights. One of the things that became clear to me was that we do survive death, and that our deceased loved ones communicate their ongoing existence to us. My willingness to understand the significance of signs and their underlying connections have allowed me to develop clarity and find my peace with Jeannine’s death.  There are many individuals who don’t believe in signs or for whatever reason have not received them. However, there are different ways to […]

    Read More

  • Missing Mom on Mother’s Day

    Posted on May 15, 2025 - by Mary Jane Cronin

    Missing Mom on Mother’s Day My friend and I were recently having breakfast and talk turned to the upcoming Mother’s Day.  Both of us have lost our mothers recently and a look of sadness and “I miss her” tears began to fill our eyes. As my thoughts drifted back to my years as a child, when I scurried to make Mom breakfast in bed and bring her flowers from the yard, I softly smiled. She pretended to be surprised and always ate my creations, whether they were tasty or not. Growing into a young woman, the gifts became more memorable […]

    Read More

  • ‘I Want My Dad to Walk Me Down the Aisle’

    Posted on May 14, 2025 - by Michelle Gallucci

    When Your Father Dies Have you ever wondered why the good die young? I think about that all the time. It was a perfect Saturday. The couple went to the Bronx, walked around laughing and reminiscing. They went home watched a movie with their kids, but he couldn’t fall asleep. His chest was hurting, he didn’t feel well. Suddenly, he wasn’t breathing. That great man was my dad. How could a perfectly healthy man just suddenly not be there when you get home from school? The thought of what happened that night is always in my head. I wonder if […]

    Read More

  • Using Linking Objects on Mother’s Day

    Posted on May 11, 2025 - by Harriet Hodgson

    “I’ve come to see the flag,” she declared. The flag waved outside a rehabilitation floor window. The woman parked her walker, sat down, and peered at the flag. “Look at that!” she exclaimed. “The flag is straight out.” Her husband served in the navy, she shared, and the flag reminded her of him. She came to see the flag many times, an object that linked her with her beloved husband, the man she loved and missed and admired so much.  Objects that Link You  Mother’s Day is coming, and if your mother has died, you may want to find items […]

    Read More

  • Embracing Mother’s Day without Mom

    Posted on May 11, 2025 - by Dr. Carol Leibovich Mankes

    Embracing Mother’s Day without Mom Losing my mother is one of the hardest things I have gone through. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. That day, I lost the person who was my support, friend, mentor, and confidant. She was my mom, a strong, brave, and ambitious woman. I know that my strength and resilience are largely because of her. Her being such an amazing role model gave me the tools to overcome many challenges in my own life. For obvious reasons, since her loss, Mother’s Day has not been the same. The grief and challenges that […]

    Read More

  • Death, Advanced Directives, and Dad Jokes

    Posted on April 28, 2025 - by Symon Braun Freck

    Death, Advanced Directives, and Dad Jokes It was the best conversation we never wanted to have. I filled out an Advanced Directive with my dad. And it was fun! I had asked family members to fill out Advanced Directives a few times before. I know feelings about your mortality change and, thus, your view of care shifts. And they needed an update. I decided to complete an Advanced Directive, the Five Wishes Document, for myself before asking my dad to complete his. I am not sure that was the right decision. Often, my dad would ask me what I chose […]

    Read More

  • Lingering Guilt about my Father’s Death

    Posted on March 9, 2025 - by Bob Baugher

    Lingering Guilt about my Father’s Death On January 11, 2003, I sat on my father’s bed chatting with him at the Mercer Island Care Center. At age 80, he was attempting to recover from a bout of pneumonia. At around 9:30 pm, I kissed him good-bye, got up from the bed and said I’d see him tomorrow. I can still see him lying in the bed, waving to me, both of us feeling assured that we would indeed be together tomorrow. At 6:30 am the next day, I received a call from the nurse saying that he was having a […]

    Read More

  • Daughter Feels Little Support for Mother-Loss

    Posted on March 5, 2025 - by Marty Tousley

    Question on Feeling Little Support for Mother-Loss Question: I tearfully happened upon your website by chance this morning.  My dearest friend, my mom, died in my arms this past month.  I had brought her here to live with me after her colon cancer returned. From the moment of diagnosis, I watched her hurt and endure so much treatment, never giving up, always smiling, always gentle, humble.  Since she died, I’ve received very little support from my husband or anyone else.   I joined an online grief group, but I do not feel as if I belong there.  My friends have faded […]

    Read More

  • Where Do I Belong Now? After Both Parents Die

    Posted on February 28, 2025 - by Nina Impala

    After Both Parents Die Dad died suddenly in my early fifties. At the funeral, I will never forget the feeling of being 6 years old in a 50-something-year-old body. Mom died just a few short years later; I was strong until the end with her as she battled breast cancer. My years in hospice made me acutely aware of how quickly she would be leaving us. At her funeral the same feeling took over; as the pall bearers walked past me with my mother, I became a child inside. A lady once said to me many, many years ago, I […]

    Read More

  • Young People Grieve Through Creativity

    Posted on September 23, 2024 - by Linda Goldman

    Young People Grieve Through Creativity During the pandemic, the resilience of many girls and boys soared to new levels as they courageously rose to the occasion. The following are two examples of pioneering teens, Madeleine and Lulu. Through using their attributes of perseverance and connectivity, they were both able to transform despair into activism. Thirteen-year-old Madeleine converted an eighth-grade project into a healing experience for peers experiencing a death during the pandemic. Madeleine created the COVID Memorial Quilt. She encourages others her age to join by adding a piece of the quilt in memory of a loved one.  Madeleine’s Mom […]

    Read More

  • Grieving the Loss of a Narcissist or Sociopath

    Posted on August 19, 2024 - by Mary Joye

    Grieving the Loss of a Narcissist As if grieving a loved one isn’t enough, it can become exponentially more complex when we lose someone in our lives that was narcissistic or sociopathic. In so many cultures we are vehemently taught not to speak ill of the dead. It is a lovely and loving custom, but what if the deceased spoke ill of you or was abusive to you in any way. Grieving the loss of a narcissist takes skill. This is a particularly difficult dynamic if the loss was a parent. You feel forced to go through the stages of […]

    Read More

Open to Hope Radio

Open to Hope TV

  • Episode 239: Adjusting to Life Without my Father

    Posted on January 3, 2025 - by admin

    Losing a Dad is tough, even if you’re an adult.  Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, with their guests Dr. Jill Harrington, Joyal Mulheron, and Dr. Eric Brewer, as they talk about adjusting to life without their father’s.  Dr. Jill Harrington is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Marymount University, whose father died of prostate cancer.  Jill serves on the advisory board of Hospice Foundation of America, Autism, and Grief Program and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).  She is the creator and editor of Superhero Grief: The Transformative Power of Loss.  Joyal […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

  • Episode 226: Navigating Life After Loss

    Posted on September 27, 2024 - by admin

    Does it feel impossible to navigate life after loss? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guests Dr. Sweta Vikram and Kelly Cervantes, as they speak candidly about how they navigated life after the death of their beloved family members. In the span of three days, Dr. Sweta Vikram lost her father and father-in-law, this was nine years after the death of her mother. Sweta is the best-selling author of 14 books, including her latest; The Loss That Binds Us; 108 Tips on Coping with Grief and Loss. Sweta was voted as “one of the most influential Asians of […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

  • 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 […]

    Watch

Foundation

Get Involved

Resources

Copyright © 2025 Open to Hope