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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When Sorrow and Joy Collide: Coping with Opposite Emotions
September 23, 2016
In 2007, my husband and I became guardians of our twin grandchildren. Our elder daughter, their mother, died from the injuries she received in a car crash. Six months later the twin’s father died from the injuries he received in a car crash. Two more family members died as well, and we were stunned by grief. The twins, one boy and one girl, were 15 years old when they moved in with us. Our challenge was to stay upbeat for them and grieve at the same time. I’m a strong person, but wondered if I would survive such tragedy. As […]
Tanika Dillard: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
September 22, 2016
Tanika Dillard is passionate about breaking the silence of pregnancy loss. The best-selling author of Building a Family Breaks My Heart, she has experienced three miscarriages and the stillbirth of her beloved son. Tanika is a birth and Bereavement Doula and Facilitator of the Share Upstate Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group in S.C. http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/08061041/TanikaDillard-MP3-for-Audio-Podcasting.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
My Ten-Year Journey After Losing My Daughter
September 18, 2016
I experienced the saddest moments of my life, as the unthinkable happened to my family, when Samar, my 18-year-old daughter died ten years ago. I never thought that what happened to some parents would ever happen to us. But it did. The death of my youngest daughter was the biggest blow I had in my entire life. Yet as a mother of two other children and a wife, I had to give strength to my family. It was not easy. Samar’s 10-year anniversary was on September 4. It has prompted me to share with parents, particularly mothers, how I survived […]
Coping With Grief: Approaching the Second Anniversary of My Son’s Death
September 17, 2016
Life is moving along well, considering the magnitude of losing of my only child almost two years ago. Since December of last year, I have started to feel like myself again. My nature, which is generally optimistic and hopeful, has returned. Recognizing that part of myself return was like meeting with an old friend. Since my son’s death, I choose not to fake what I’m feeling, to others or myself. It’s not that I dump my sadness onto others; rather, I decide what’s best for me in a given moment and assess my ability and willingness to share and be […]
Episode 81: Child Loss, Multiple Times with Jacquie Edwards-Mitchell, and John Mitchell
August 19, 2016
Child loss is huge especially when compounded by the loss of two children. On this show Dr’s Gloria and Heidi Horsley discuss multiple loss with, Alan Pedersen, Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends, and Jacquie Edwards-Mitchell, and her husband John Mitchell. Jacquie & John, lost two sons in a drowning accident. Jacquie is on the National Board of The Compassionate Friends and both John and Jacquie are with the steering committee of the Manhattan Chapter. The show closes with Alan Pedersen singing A Little Further Down The Road. Words and lyrics by Alan Pedersen.
Elizabeth Horwin: Keeping Love Alive
August 18, 2016
Elizabeth Horwin is a Licensed Professional Counselor offering workshops, seminars and retreats to individuals, organizations and employers, dealing with and healing from life’s losses. She is a bereaved parent and spouse and the author of, Love Never Dies http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/19085607/Beth-Horwin.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Ground Hog Days: How it Really Feels to Lose a Child
August 17, 2016
The first weeks and months were like the movie Groundhog Day. I began each day the same way. Waking. Feeling a free floating anger. Seeing his body on the floor and shuddering in the reality of his death. Struggling to push myself out of bed. Not wanting to get up. The bed and sleep being the only place and time when I could momentarily forget reality. Sleep became a blessing. A time when the horror of that day did not repeat itself endlessly like a looped bit of video. Finally shoving myself to get up. Get dressed. Trying to remember […]
Barry Kluger: Reform in the Wake of Loss
August 11, 2016
Barry Kluger is a veteran public relations executive and writes for The Huffington Post and 165 CityBrand Media sites. He and fellow grieving Dad, Kelly Farley, began an effort to add loss of a child to the Family Medical Leave Act, which led to The Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act, currently being considered in Congress. http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/11054705/Barry-Kluger-MP3-for-Audio-Podcasting.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Barbara J. Hopkinson: Tips and Support For Those Who Grieve
August 4, 2016
Barbara J. Hopkinson, founder of A Butterfly’s Journey To A New Normal and The Compassionate Friends of Greater Newburyport, MA, lost 3 children and has led bereaved families through the journey of grief since 2003. She is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and author of two books. Barbara resides north of Boston. http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/04081111/Barbara-Hopkinson-MP3-for-Audio-Podcasting.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
