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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Looking for Hope in the New Year
January 9, 2014
For many, welcoming in the New Year is a celebration of optimism and hope. Many see it as a fresh start and a chance to take steps to improve both their lives and perhaps themselves. Of course, this isn’t a view shared by all. For the newly bereaved, the New Year can be an incredibly painful milestone. Thinking back to the first New Year after the death of my daughter four years ago, I was blindsided by how painful it was for me. She died on September 30, so I had been preoccupied with overwhelming anxiety over how I was […]
Holidays — Survival or Defeat?
December 30, 2013
The forthcoming holidays are often the most difficult times of the year for bereaved parents, now childless. I have some suggestions that will hopefully assist you during this season. My husband and I have attempted some of the following since our daughter, Rhonda, died and others are ideas from other bereaved friends. YOU WILL SURVIVE the HOLIDAYS! Those first few years of bereavement cause us to think that we’ll certainly die without our child/children. You may not be able to ENJOY the holiday but rest assured that there will be a day in your future when you’ll be able to […]
Don’t Let Grief become an Identity Thief
December 29, 2013
Grief is complex and we each mourn in our own way. In 2007 my daughter, father-in-law, brother, and former son-in-law all died. My daughter – mother of our twin grandchildren – and her former husband died in separate car crashes. Deep in my soul I knew, if I wasn’t careful, these multiple losses could destroy me. But I refused to let this happen. Though I felt lost for a while, I still had the same personality, humor, knowledge, and values I had before. This knowledge gave me strength and with self-examination, determination, and hard work, I created a new life. […]
Episode 26: Drug and Alcohol Deaths
December 10, 2013
On this show Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley discuss with William and Beverly Feigelman authors of “Devastating Losses” the death of their son and the risks of substance abuse. Vanessa McGannon then talks about her work with The American Society of Suicidology. Singer, songwriter Larry Stevens closes the show.
Episode 20: Finding Meaning After Loss
December 10, 2013
On This show Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley explore the topic of finding meaning after loss. They interview two inspirational women who rather than be broken by their experience have used their tragic losses to make meaning and to help others. The first guest is Ann Khadalia Social Worker and national board member of The Compassionate Friends and the second guest is Susan Whitmore founder and president of griefHaven. The show closes with I Will Friend You, sung by singer-songwriter Michael Davis.
How Someone in Grief can Survive the Holidays
December 6, 2013
As the holidays loom, instead of the common anticipation and excitement, individuals who are grieving often feel a sense of dread. Common sentiments are, “How will I be able to cope with the memories and the heartbreak?” or “There is so much pressure to be cheerful and festive, but I’m not in the mood. I feel like I need to fake it.” The idea of facing the holidays without someone you love is painful and magnifies the sense of loss. Holidays are filled with traditions that may not seem the same anymore. It is helpful to plan ahead and create […]
Mindfulness and Bereavement
November 25, 2013
If you’re interested in self-development, you’ve probably heard the term “mindfulness.” Over the last decade, mindfulness meditation, sometimes called mindfulness-based therapy, has been researched as an aid to anxiety, stress, depression, chronic pain, and other human conditions. Once largely confined to the realm of therapists’ offices or yoga studios, mindfulness has begun to show up in popular culture, with articles appearing in O magazine, TIME, and Prevention magazines (among others). The United States government has begun to use mindfulness-based programs to help returning vets deal with post-traumatic stress disorder and readjustment to civilian life. It’s become somewhat of a buzz-word […]
Bereavement and Holiday Traditions
November 20, 2013
The first big celebration without my son, Christopher, was his 23rd birthday. He was killed March 21st (1996) and born in May 15th (1974)–I still get the dates mixed up because they are both so significant to me (both months starting with M doesn’t help). We were all so unsure what to do to celebrate his birthday without him present. In the end, we did what we always had done when he was with us–a large group of us went to his favorite restaurant, Benihana. We made sure we had enough people to have our own table and chef. We […]
‘How Are You?’: A Silent Signpost for the Newly Bereaved
November 19, 2013
“How are you?” It is such a seemingly simple, benign question. Often, those who ask the question are not doing so out of real concern, but just as a polite, meaningless pleasantry. Just as often, those who answer the question would never think to respond with anything other than the implicitly expected “I’m fine” or “Good. How are you?” – even if everything wasn’t fine. But what happens when the simple question of “How are you?” becomes a harsh reminder of the isolation felt by anyone struggling with overwhelming grief? What happens when it becomes the silent signpost marking the […]
