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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A Young Widow Tells Her Story
September 19, 2007
Ir’s almost like a relief to read thoughts from another person that I can actually relate to. Sometimes you get tired of explaining yourself to those who couldn’t possibly understand what you are feeling because they haven’t experienced what you have experienced. I was widowed at age 28, I am now 31. I lost my husband in March 2005 to a car accident on our oldest daughter’s 13th birthday. I was actually searching for grieving counselors for her when I came across this site (very glad I found it). My husband and I were also together for some time before […]
Dr. Dianne Kane: The Widows of 9/11: Where Are They Now?
September 6, 2007
Dr. Dianne Kane has provided crisis intervention for first responders, including those of 9/11 and widows affected by the tragedy. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Dr-Dianne-Kane-090607.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Katy Hutchison: “There Is No Rulebook,” Forgiveness After The Death of a Husband
August 30, 2007
Katy Hutchison speaks about forgiveness after the murder of her husband. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Katy-Hutchison-083007.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
How Do You Mourn An Ex-Spouse?
August 9, 2007
My first wife died several weeks ago. We were married almost thirty years, we have four kids and four grandsons, and we were divorced four years ago. Donna was sick for many years, and her body finally gave out. As sad as it was, it was also a relief. As I am fond of saying, The Angel of Death is not always an enemy, and in this case it was true. But as difficult as the last years might have been between us, her death created new and wrenching dilemmas for me and the kids. I know nobody wants to […]
Anne Byrnes: Multiple Loss; Losing a Child and a Husband
April 19, 2007
Anne Byrnes has gone on to get her masters in counseling and developed spiritual retreats for families dealing with loss. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2007/04/Anne_Byrnes_041907.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
LOSS and LOVE: Transcending the Loss of a Spouse to New Love
February 7, 2007
The unimaginable has happened; you are a widow or widower. Mourning your loss has been the focus of your life for the past year or two. Finally, as you begin to surface from your profound grief, with a deep breath and lot or a little trepidation you find yourself falling in love again. Is this new relationship fraught with landmines? You bet! Here are important stepping stones to help keep you afloat along the way, Do?s and Don?ts as it were for widows/widowers beginning a new, loving relationship.
LOSS: When the Heart Heals…A Widow’s Story
January 24, 2007
At this point, widowed for about 18 months, I met Hal the night I attended my last bereavement support group meeting. I was instantly attracted to his energy. We seemed to have a lot in common, both professionally and emotionally. I gave him my business card with the knowing feeling that he would call, but I had no idea if it would be in a week or a year. I hold a life’s philosophy that things happen when they should.
LOSS and LOVE: Love Revisited…Helpful Do’s & Don’ts for the Widow/Widower Embracing New Love
January 20, 2007
Is it possible to mourn the loss of a beloved spouse and, while still grieving, to not only meet someone special, but fall in love and begin to build a new relationship that includes a commitment to sharing your lives? Can we overlap our loving and our grieving? The answer is aprofound: YES! But, to smooth the path, keep these helpful Dos and Donts in mind:
LOSS: The Time Sequences of Grief: Moving Through Loss
January 13, 2007
The loss of a spouse is one of the most difficult loses we experience as your entire day-to-day life is turned upside-down. The grieving process following this loss is divided into five time sequences of grief. One to four months would be called SHOCK, five to eight months of mourning is DENIAL, nine to twelve months is ANGER, thirteen to seventeen months is DEPRESSION, eighteen to twenty four months is INTEGRATION, ADJUSTMENT and TRANSITION.
