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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Even Now, We Miss Him
March 16, 2012
Even now I wonder where the little boy went. The one who could always melt my heart with a look, a touch, a smile. The one who always gave more than he ever took or asked for. The young man who was going to one day play for the Green Bay Packers. The teenager that the phone always rang for. The fourteen year old who still hugged his mom in front of his friends. The young man who knelt beside me in church. The young man who still let me read to him before bed. The young man who was […]
Larry M. Barber, LPC-S, CT; Embracing Grief with Hope and Promise
March 15, 2012
Larry Barber’s wife Cindy and two year old daughter Katie died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident in 1993. As a widowed single parent he raised two surviving children, nine and twelve. Barber is a minister, a licensed professional counselor, director of GriefWorks and author of Love Never Dies: Embracing Grief with Hope and Promise. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2012/07/Larry-M.-Barber_01.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
While in Grief, Be Ready to Deal With Others’ Questions
March 15, 2012
After the death of my child, I was left feeling powerless. It felt as though I had lost everything. Not only did I lose my child, but I felt as though I had lost my hopes, dreams and my previous way of living. I no longer had the confidence I once had. In the beginning, there were so many times I felt the breath had been knocked out of me and I could hardly speak. How could I adequately describe to anyone how I felt? Most days I barely knew my own name. But once the deep pain has eased […]
To Remember is Human
March 14, 2012
As I am now entering the tenth year of my journey as a parent who has experienced the death of a child, I realize that my perspective on many things related to life and death have changed. Today (3/3/12), I had this revelation about the expectations that we place on remembering. In this context, I am referring to those individuals who don’t acknowledge our children on those special days such as birthdays and angelversary dates. I started pondering this when a friend of mine (and one whom loved Jeannine dearly when she was alive) apologized to me because she forgot […]
Walk Beside Me and Be My Friend
March 12, 2012
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.” Charles Caleb Colton My life changed gradually after the death of my son, Chad, on April 16, 1993—and so did many of my friends. A while ago, I met a co-worker whose empathy in my early stage of grief was unconditional. I was reminded of his warmth and support; and it still glowed. Then it hit me! What […]
Diana M. Cimador Roscigno; Crazy Is Normal After Loss
March 8, 2012
Diana Roscigno is a wife, mother, nurse, bereaved parent and author. After the death of her son, Mark Anthony, age 18, in an automobile accident Dina began a life dedicated to helping others on their grief journey. She is involved in both Bereaved Parents USA and The Compassionate Friends. Diana’s grief journey has been nurtured through acceptance and hope for healing. She is the author of “Am I Going Crazy?”. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2012/07/Diana-Roscigno.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
10 Ways To Save Your Marriage After a Child’s Death
March 5, 2012
When a child dies, most parents assume their marriage will be in jeopardy because they have read that 90% of marriages fail after the death of a child. A recent survey has proven this supposed fact to be a myth. From the survey, it was found that only 16 % divorce and only 4 % said it was because of the death and the fact that there were problems in the marriage before the child died. The untimely death of a child can be an opportunity for growth to bring the two people closer together, rather than tear them apart. […]
Al Johnson: Topic: About God after the loss of a child?
March 1, 2012
Al became a bereaved parent on March 18, 1989 when he and Vickie’s seven year old son Nicholas died from leukemia. Since that time he has participated in Compassionate Friends, spoken to many groups, and worked with parents as they seek to recover from this tragic reality. As an Episcopal Priest, he has especially focused on the many issues and questions about God, faith and spirituality that form a cornerstone of grief for many bereaved parents. Al can be reached at ajohnson9@aol.com. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2012/07/Al-Johnson.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Wisdom in Journaling
March 1, 2012
I have always been a firm believer in the benefits of journaling. I journaled almost daily when my daughter Jeannine was first diagnosed in May of 2002 with a rare and incurable form of cancer. This continued for almost two years after her death on 3/1/03, at the age of 18. My early journals were raw, filled with pain, anger and disbelief over the hand of cards that was dealt to me and Jeannine’s mother and two brothers. I review those early journals periodically, and sometimes compare where I was then to where I am now. I have discovered today […]
