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.

  • I Am Silenced Interrupted – A Griever’s Confession: A Griever’s Confession

    Posted on November 11, 2026 - by TreviRose

    A few days ago, her face was on a billboard in Times Square. This morning, she woke up thinking about graves. I Am Silence Interrupted: A Griever’s Confession is unlike any grief book you have ever held. It is not a guide. It is not a formula. It is a confession – a memoir told in mosaic: lyrical essays, poems, sonnets, haiku, a psalm, spoken word, and pages bold enough to carry a single word. Trevilia Hodge was raised in a family fluent in silence – where secrets were kept like Sunday dresses, where a child could run a household […]

  • The Circles We Carry

    Posted on September 28, 2026 - by Stephen Panus

    “A thoughtful, compelling, and deeply human novel.” -John O’Leary, bestselling author of On Fire and In Awe Grief opened the road. Love revealed the way. After the death of his only son shatters the life he once controlled, a fallen sports media executive follows a final message west, trading certainty for a road where grief becomes his guide. Each stranger he meets pulls him deeper into a sacred web of connection, culminating in an encounter with an enigmatic Cheyenne medicine woman who challenges everything he believes about loss and purpose. The Circles We Carry is a sweeping, luminous novel about how love does […]

  • The Price We Pay

    Posted on September 24, 2026 - by Colleen Friesen

    The Price We Pay is a gentle, honest exploration of grief told through the lived experience of a support group — a place where vulnerability becomes connection, and connection becomes healing. Through my own story of loss, I invite readers to witness what it feels like to sit in a circle of people who are learning to breathe again after life has changed forever. Each chapter ends with tender, reflective questions designed to help readers pause, feel, and find language for what hurts. These questions aren’t instructions — they’re invitations. They create space for readers to meet their grief with […]

Articles

  • Grief—the unwanted Hero’s Journey

    Posted on November 8, 2026 - by Greg Adams

    Sometimes, we are called to a new journey, and we don’t want to go. And why would we when the call comes in the form of a loss? Loss of health with a new diagnosis. Loss of certainty about the future. Loss of faith. Loss of life for a family member or friend. Such significant losses call us to leave the life and places we knew into a journey toward the unknown. Resistance to this call is understandable, sometimes for as long as we can. This journey offers no guarantees except uncertainty and distress. To accept the call and begin […]

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  • 25 Years After September 11th: What I Learned About Grief, Families, and Hope

    Posted on September 7, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Twenty-five years after September 11th, I continue to think about the families I came to know through my work with the FDNY–Columbia University Family Guidance Program. I worked closely with families who lost a firefighter in the World Trade Center attacks. I remain in touch with some of these families today, which has allowed me to witness how grief, resilience, and hope continue to evolve over time. Some of the children I once knew have grown into adults and even followed in their parents’ footsteps by becoming firefighters themselves. One of the most important things I learned is that grief […]

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  • New York City: 25 Years of Healing and Hope

    Posted on September 1, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Over the past 25 years, I have watched New York City carry unimaginable loss while continuing to grow, rebuild, and find hope. What stays with me most is how people came together. Families, first responders, neighbors, volunteers, and strangers supported one another in extraordinary ways. In the midst of grief, there was also an incredible sense of connection and community. As the years passed, I watched the city change. Lower Manhattan came back to life. New buildings rose, families grew, and children like mine came of age in a city forever shaped by 9/11. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum became […]

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  • Losing a Parent as an Adult: The Grief Few People Prepare You For

    Posted on August 14, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Losing a parent as an adult is one of the most common yet most minimized griefs there is. Here’s why it hits so hard, why the world often underestimates it, and how to grieve a mother or father without apology.

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  • The Healing Power of a Grief Letter

    Posted on August 4, 2026 - by Shari

    Dear Family, There were so many things we didn’t get to do, and our time together was cut short. Physical and mental ailments prevented us from living out all the plans we made, but we still made the most of our time together. Y’all beat the odds and lived longer than anyone expected for people in your condition. God didn’t answer my prayers to take away the sicknesses, but He granted me favor through temporary healings and the blessing of extended time. You slowly slipped away. Year by year, month by month, and day by day, until I was somehow […]

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  • Life Maxxing: Living Life to the Fullest

    Posted on July 18, 2026 - by Katty Douraghy

    I may be the last person in the world who didn’t know the meaning of life-maxxing. Earlier this week, I came across it for the very first time in a social media post and realized the word embodied everything I believe in and have learned through my grief journey. Life-maxxing (or maxing) started as slang, and now I see it everywhere. On social media, it’s all about maximizing and optimizing mental and physical health, productivity, career, aspirations, and financial success. And yet this word triggers a much deeper meaning for me. It means living life to the fullest because my loved […]

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  • Father’s Day After Loss: 8 Ways to Cope When the Holiday Hurts

    Posted on June 21, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Father’s Day after loss can feel like a long, loud reminder of everything you no longer have. Whether you’re grieving your dad, your child, your partner, or another father figure, here are 8 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with grief on Father’s Day, honor the man you loved, and find a quiet thread of hope on a tender day.

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  • Communing with the Dead

    Posted on June 16, 2026 - by Sara Striefel

    There is a phone booth in the middle of the desert in Joshua Tree. It was installed by Colin Campbell and Gail Lerner in honor of their two children, Ruby and Hart, who died in a 2019 car crash. It lives out there amid the tall cholla cacti and the wind that sweeps circles into the salt and sand. I have been thinking about this telephone lately, of how few spaces we have to offload our grief.   In her book, Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss, Hope Edelman offers a handful of events that she believes have the potential to change […]

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  • Mother’s Day After Loss: 9 Compassionate Ways to Cope with Grief on a Tender Holiday

    Posted on May 10, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Mother’s Day after loss can feel like an emotional minefield. Whether you’re grieving your mother, a child, a sibling, or anyone you love, here are 9 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with grief on Mother’s Day, honor your person, and find a quiet thread of hope on a tender holiday.

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  • Missing Mom On Mother’s Day

    Posted on May 10, 2026 - by Gary Sturgis

    I’ll be honest…I’ve been struggling what to say and write today. It’s because today is a day of celebration for so many, yet for so many others, this day comes packed with a punch to the gut and heart. Mother’s Day is about Sunday brunch, flowers, cards and family gatherings. It’s a day that’s filled with the celebration of life, love, happiness, gratitude, hugs and joy. But for some of you…it’s just another day living with a broken heart. There are so many different reasons (way too many for me to list in this blog) why this one day of […]

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  • 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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  • The Eternal Bond: Daughters Honor Their Mothers On The Other Side

    Posted on April 4, 2026 - by lightdoc

    Death is the eternal mystery, a mystery that fills our souls with both awe and terror. The consequences of the death of one’s mother is not like any other ordeal in life. Daughters are often faced with resurrecting a new life without a road map, catapulted upon the ruins that remain, while enduring indescribable emotional pain. Based on my experience of my mother’s death, and the shared narratives with other daughters, I have spoken with, this journey is both courageous and terrifying.  You will regain your balance, but you will not be the same person. I have never surrendered my […]

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  • What Does The Research Tell Us About Grief?

    Posted on March 19, 2026 - by lightdoc

    Grief is part of the human experience; however, the grief of daughters whose mothers have died is significantly different than other losses. Research is needed that does not quantify or reduce the suffering women experience to only numerical findings, but includes tools for grief empowerment. According to the National Alliance on Caregiving, over 53 million baby boomers are now caring for their ailing parents, and 61 percent of caregivers are women caring for a female relative, most likely their mothers. Because caregiving is considered a “woman’s job” (i.e., unpaid), women often suffer emotionally and financially from what is referred to […]

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  • ANTICIPATE THE ANNIVERSARY YEAR(S)

    Posted on February 9, 2026 - by Mershon Niesner

    It happened in New York, April 10th, nineteen years ago. Even my hand balks at the date. I had to push to write it down, just to keep the pen moving on the paper. It used to be a perfectly ordinary day, but now it sticks up on the calendar like a rusty nail.  —Donna Tartt, author of The Goldfinch   There is a year nearly every daughter who has lost her mother describes as being very significant. This is the year when she becomes the age of her mother when she died. This was also true for me.  When I […]

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  • Finding Strength and Wisdom after the Loss of a Father

    Posted on November 24, 2025 - by Noah Krishna Villadelgado

    Losing a father is one of the hardest experiences in life. It’s a loss that reshapes you, leaving an emptiness that never truly fades. The pain is deep, and the absence is felt in the quiet moments—the advice left unsaid, the laughter no longer shared, the steady presence that once grounded you.   But in that grief, there is also transformation. The loss teaches us how fleeting life is, reminding us to cherish every moment, to be present, and to live with purpose. It gives us a kind of wisdom that only comes through pain—a deeper understanding of what truly […]

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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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  • The Day I Truly Lost My Father: How Grief Became My Greatest Teacher and Led me Back to Myself.

    Posted on October 24, 2025 - by Rachelle Muschamp

    The last time that I saw my father, I was 7. He died when I was 28. But I truly lost him at 43 Grief. Such a complex topic—one that we do not speak about enough. Grief shows up in many situations; it is not only about the passing of a loved one. In reality, we are all faced with grief throughout our lives, often on a subconscious level. And we rush through those events without honoring them for what they truly are: rites of passage—moments that mark profound transitions and have the power to transform us completely. Running From […]

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Open to Hope TV

  • Episode 277: Survivor Voices: Life After Sudden Loss

    Posted on November 3, 2026 - by admin

    A sudden loss can change our lives forever, but it doesn’t have to define our future. Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley for an inspiring conversation with Iliana Guibert-McGinnis and Sara Tumulty about finding hope, meaning, and purpose after an unimaginable tragedy. Iliana Guibert-McGinnis lost her husband, Thomas, in the 9/11 attacks. An actress and producer, she wrote and starred in Twice Upon a Time, a short film inspired by her grief journey. In 2025, she was recognized at the Pentagon’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. Sara Tumulty lost her father, Lance, on 9/11. She is the Social Media and Marketing Manager for […]

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  • Episode 276: Helping Children Navigate Grief; 25 years after September 11th

    Posted on October 6, 2026 - by admin

    How do we help children navigate grief after the death of a parent or loved one? And what have we learned over the past 25 years? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley for a candid conversation with Heloiza Asaro, Elizabeth Creel, and Carrie Pike about helping children and families live with loss, preserve memories, and find ways to move forward. Heloiza Asaro is the widow of FDNY firefighter Carl Asaro, who was killed in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Left to raise their six children, Heloiza experienced firsthand the challenges of helping children grow up while grieving […]

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  • Episode 275: September 11th: An FDNY Widow’s Journey — 25 Years Later

    Posted on October 1, 2026 - by admin

    Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley for a candid and deeply personal conversation with Heloiza Asaro, Elizabeth Creel, and Carrie Pike about one widow’s journey through 25 years of loss, resilience, family, and legacy. Heloiza Asaro is the widow of FDNY firefighter Carl Asaro, who was killed in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Left to raise their six children, Heloiza has spent the past 25 years navigating life without her husband while keeping Carl’s memory and legacy alive. That legacy has continued through their children. Four of their six children—Carl Jr., Matthew, Rebecca, and Marc—became FDNY firefighters. […]

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  • Episode 267: When Children Grieve: Expert Guidance for Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals

    Posted on July 19, 2026 - by admin

    How do we understand bereaved children and support them after a loss? Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, with their guests: Dr. Dan Wolfson, and Jordan Gross and learn techniques for helping children. Dr. Dan Wolfson is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and the Senior Clinical Director of Experience Camps Adult Grief Retreat; he is an Adjunct Researcher and Professional Education Trainer at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief. Dr. Dan’s mother died of cancer when he was 18 yrs. old, and he is the author of; My Whole Grief. Jordon Gross is a […]

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  • Episode 266: Losing a Parent, Finding Yourself: Navigating Identity After Grief

    Posted on July 13, 2026 - by admin

    The death of a parent is an identity loss. Who are we without our mother and/or father on this earth?  Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her daughter and co-host Dr. Heidi Horsley, and their guest to talk candidly about parent loss. Dr. Dan Wolfson is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and the Senior Clinical Director of Experience Camps Adult Grief Retreat. He is also an Adjunct Researcher and Professional Education Trainer at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief. Dan’s mother died of cancer when he was 18 yrs. old, and he is the author of; My Whole Grief.  Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn […]

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  • Episode 265: Helping Grieving Teens and Young Adults; Navigate In A Changing World!

    Posted on June 30, 2026 - by admin

    How do we help teens and young adults navigate their changing world after a death?  Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her daughter and co-host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Jordon Gross, Dr. Dan Wolfson, and Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn for an informative and honest conversation about this topic.  Jordon Gross is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a staff psychotherapist at Wolfson Therapy.  He is a training specialist for the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center.  Jordan has extensive experience providing support to Grief Camps such as Camp COPE, and is the author of; My Whole Grief.  Dr. Dan […]

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  • Episode 262: Growing Up Male: Finding Your Way Without a Father

    Posted on December 23, 2025 - by admin

    How do men navigate manhood without their dads? Tune in as Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter, Dr. Heidi Horsley speak openly about father loss with their guest Dr. Eric Brewer. Eric is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Transform Church Ministries, and author of From Grief To Growth; A 31 Day Journey Of Healing And Renewal Through Love And Loss. Dr. Brewer founded and leads a national weekly support group for Black widowers. His Doctoral dissertation was on; Healing Hidden Wounds: The Resilience of Black Men and the impact of their spirituality upon their grief recovery.  

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  • Episode 256: After the Last Goodbye: Navigating Life After Losing a Parent

    Posted on December 12, 2025 - by admin

    What does grief look like when the person who raised you is gone? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests Zaneta Gileno and Kim Burditt Bartlett as they talk about grieving the death of a parent. When Zaneta Gileno was just 10 yrs. old her Dad died of a heart attack, and in 2023, her Mom died of lung issues. Zaneta has a private practice called Hope Rising Psychotherapy & Wellness. She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University, and currently serves as Senior Mental Health Advisor and Board Member for Repatriate Our Patriots. In addition, she previously worked […]

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  • 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 246: Managing Expectations and Anger in Grief

    Posted on August 4, 2025 - by admin

    The death of a loved one often brings up an array of feelings.  How do we manage expectations and anger in grief?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guest Dr. Sweta Vikram, as she speaks openly about how she managed expectations and anger after the death of her beloved family members.  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 […]

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  • Episode 245: Navigating Life Without Parents

    Posted on August 4, 2025 - by admin

    How do we navigate life after the death of a parent?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guest Dr. Sweta Vikram, as she speaks openly about how she navigated life without her parents.  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 our time,” and the winner of the “voice of the year” award.   […]

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  • Episode 244: The New Normal: Life After Loss

    Posted on August 4, 2025 - by admin

    Does it feel impossible to find a new normal after a loss?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guest Dr. Sweta Vikram, as she speaks openly about how she navigated the death of her beloved family members.  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 our time,” and the winner of the “voice […]

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