Open to Hope Articles
Do you want to read stories of others who have been where you are? Are you looking for bereavement help, and advice? Look no further. We offer over 3,000 articles written by our Open to Hope authors.
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How We Go On After Loss with Dr. Ken Druck
May 21, 2026
On this show, Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley interview Ken Druck, Ph.D., bereaved parent and prominent mental health expert specializing in grief and loss. He is a regular contributor to the national press and has authored several books, including How We Go On, Raising an Aging Parent, Courageous Aging, and The Real Rules of Life.
Who Is Your Hero? How Has Your Hero Influenced Your Life?
May 12, 2026
“ I believe that our heroes in life change over time based on our values and maturity. We don’t cling to those who impressed us with their status. Instead, we align our vision with those who are authentic, reliable, and role models. However, there may also be the unlikely, unclaimed hero who changes our life and lives in our heart forever.” (Nan Zastrow) A year ago, in a support group meeting, I shared the story of how the ®Wings organization began…in Memory after the death of our son, Chad. After the group, a man who was present came forward and […]
Mother’s Day After Loss: 9 Compassionate Ways to Cope with Grief on a Tender Holiday
May 10, 2026
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.
Missing Mom On Mother’s Day
May 10, 2026
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 […]
A Different Kind of Mother’s Day for My Friend
May 9, 2026
Mother’s Day usually stirs up memories of celebrating my Mom with my brothers and sisters when we were kids- showering her with all the snuggles, handmade cards and French toast from the Betty Crocker Boys and Girls Cookbook. Nothing said I Love You like delivering fresh flowers to her (right out of her garden).🌷 This year, though, I’ve been thinking a lot about my dear new friend, Marlene, who will be navigating her first Mother’s Day since the shocking death of her beloved son, BJ. Marlene shared the heart shattering news on social media last year, “No words […]
The Roar of Silence/ A poetry collection
April 27, 2026
The Roar of Silence is a poetry collection written in the aftermath of profound loss, when language breaks down and silence becomes the only honest response. After the death of his son, a father searches for meaning in the quiet that follows devastation. These poems do not attempt to resolve grief or offer consolation. Instead, they listen—to absence, to memory, and to the altered gravity of living on. Silence appears here as wound and teacher, as accusation and refuge, as the space where truth waits without explanation. Moving through themes of fatherhood, masculinity, inheritance, endurance, and love passed forward, The Roar of […]
Dr. Natoshia Mitchell: Grief, Faith, and Resilience: One Mother’s Journey Through Unimaginable Loss
April 16, 2026
Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley welcome Dr. Natoshia Mitchell, who discusses her experiences with adversity after losing two children—one to stillbirth and another to domestic violence. Her son Trey Sermon plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dr. Mitchell is the author of When My Soul Cried: Healing, Forgiveness and Releasing and Shaking the Feel, and she founded the Arise By Faith non-profit. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dr.-Natoshia-Mitchell_-Grief-Faith-and-Resilience_-One-Mothers-Journey-Through-Unimaginable-Loss.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Between What Was and What Is
April 15, 2026
It has been over a decade now since losing Andrea, and grief has reshaped my world. My memories of her are as vivid as ever. I remember her as a child, with her locks of curly, golden hair and captivating blue eyes. The continuous compliments were awe-inspiring wherever we went. The way the sunlight caught her curls and the childhood laughter melted my heart as she played. I remember the pride I felt that followed me through the years, as I witnessed her milestones, accomplishments, and the way she nurtured her little boy. Those moments shaped my days, and I […]
Cristi Bundukamara: Pain to Purpose; Building Mental Strength Through Grief
April 2, 2026
Need support with grief? Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley speak with Cristi Bundukamara, clinical nurse specialist, widow, and bereaved mother. Dr. Bundukamara shares how her experiences led to the Mentally Strong Method featured on her website and in her book, Pain & Purpose: My Journey to Mental Strength. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Cristi-Bundukamara_-Pain-to-Purpose-Building-Mental-Strength-Through-Grief.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
