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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After Child-Loss, Life on Infinity Boulevard
September 1, 2012
The Number 8 In Ted Andrews book, Animal Speak, there is a page devoted specifically to the meanings of numbers as they relate to our understanding of nature. The number 8 signifies, among other things, the symbol for infinity or eternal life. It is ironic that eternal life arises from death, an event so emotionally painful to those who bear witness to it. Death is an event that all of us would wish to avoid or talk about. However, death is woven into the fabric of our very existence and can be one of life’s greatest teachers and can help […]
Lu Anne De Vries; Death of an Adopted Child
August 30, 2012
Lu Anne De Vries is the mother of four sons and the grandmother of eight grandchildren. Her fifth and youngest child, Mandy was adopted from Korea as an infant. In Dec 2009, at the age of 23, Mandy died in her sleep of an unknown cause. In her book “Bright Hope” Lu Anne shares the early stages of grief and her desire to inspire others as her daughter Mandy did. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2012/08/Lu-DeVries.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Back to School Blues for Mom Who Lost Child
August 15, 2012
It’s that time of year again. We are standing in the middle of the school supply section of Target, along with several other families. My two teenagers efficiently place items in the cart, crossing them off their respective lists. They display a great deal of self-sufficiency this year, which makes this task way more simple than it was in 2001 when my oldest, Bryce, was entering kindergarten. As I stand amidst the brightly colored folders and neatly packaged pencils, my mind wanders. The back to school transition triggers my grief each year, without fail. I think about the daughter who […]
Feelings of Sadness Return
August 10, 2012
In 2007 four family members died within nine months. My twin grandchildren lost both parents in separate car crashes. Suddenly, without any warning, my husband and I were GRGs — grandparents raising grandchildren. When I looked on the Internet for help I couldn’t find what I needed. I called the Dept. of Social Services for help, only to learn the grandparents’ support group has disbanded. We knew other grandparents were raising their grandkids, but where were they? Five years have passed since our grandkids moved in with us, and we have yet to meet a “grandfamily” like ours. Reporters and […]
Using Memoir Writing to Deal with Grief
August 8, 2012
Even before my son Paul died, I started writing about him and his bipolar disorder. I kept a journal to get out the frustrations of dealing with his episodes and hospitalizations and erratic behavior, and I took several classes and workshops at the University of California at Los Angeles Extension writing program, Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, and at a private class in Los Angeles. Thankfully, all my classmates were willing to hear me read my dark, raw pieces about my grief for years. At first I thought I would write a memoir about Paul’s illness and how he […]
10 Reactions to the Death of a Child
August 8, 2012
In the midst of deep grief over the death of a child, you may hear many different reactions from bereaved parents — from not wanting to talk about the child to why this has happened to them. I have chosen 10 common reactions and commented on each one. 1. “I don’t want to talk about my child. It makes me too sad.” Talking about your child is good for you. It allows you to tell others how you are feeling and they in turn may react differently to you. You don’t have to get graphic or tell too much about […]
Linda Triplett: Love Never Fails
August 2, 2012
Linda Triplett is Co-Director of a Minnesota non-profit organization, in memory of her son Adam, which serves the Love Basket Grief Support Outreach, and is the author of “A Mother’s Journal.” Linda’s passion is sharing her story of loss and healing with parents grieving the death of a child. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2012/07/Linda-Triplett_01.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Sorrow Hurts Years After Loss
July 8, 2012
A few weeks ago I attended the Bereaved Parents of the USA National Gathering in Tampa, Florida. The breakfast, lunch and dinner speakers were all good, but the Saturday evening dinner ceremony was best. Photos of deceased children were shown. As each child was named, family members lit a candle in memory of that child. The couple across the table from us lost three children. Their mother lit two candles and their father lit one. When I saw the couple put their arms around each other my eyes filled with tears. Our daughter’s photo wasn’t shown because I forgot to […]
