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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Sally Grablick; Hope and Help After Loss
December 8, 2011
Sally Grablick lost her son to suicide in 2002. Her road to recovery began by reading over 100 books on grief, spirituality and the afterlife. A seeker by nature, she began formulating a recovery plan by exploring the ideas presented within these books. Knowing her efforts would benefit others, she created the “cliff notes” to grief, and shares the lessons learned, tools used and insights gained in her book, The Reason: Help and Hope for Those Who Grieve. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2011/11/Sally-Garblick_02.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
On a Night in December
December 3, 2011
Every year, on the 2nd Sunday in December, bereaved families around the world light candles in their own homes or with others for one hour, 7-8 P.M., in honor and memory of all children who have died. This poem explains why we do it. On a Night in December In the midst of winter and all the trees turned bare, we were faced with shopping malls where carols filled the air. And thoughts all turned to loved ones, those present, and those not. For us, whose lives were drained of light, it was solace that we sought. And so began a […]
Son’s Spirit Lives on in Piggy Nation
December 2, 2011
On January 31, 2009, our son, Nick Rosser, was taken from us in a car accident. In the ensuing days I struggled to get out of bed. Grief drained me emotionally and physically. At the time of the accident, I was on hiatus from my job as First Assistant Director on the TV show, 24. It was fortunate that I did not have to immediately return to work during those initial days. However, days turned to weeks, my hiatus ended, and I returned to my job. At work I was surrounded by loving friends and crewmembers who were compassionate and […]
Dave Roberts; Loss- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
December 1, 2011
As a result of the death of his daughter Jeannine Marie at the age of 18, David J. Roberts founded Bootsy and Angel Books, to support those who have suffered loss. He has also been employed in the addictions field for 26 years and is an adjunct professor in the psychology and psychology-child life departments at Utica College. Dave is also a contributing writer for the Open to Hope Foundation. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2011/11/Dave-Roberts_01.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Death of a Child Changes ‘Santa’
December 1, 2011
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season begins. Shopping carts and arms are brimming with purchases. Early in the season, there is a sense of joy–the miracle part of Christmas when good moods prevail and everyone is wrapped up in the joyous preparation. We become “Santa” as we plan the perfect holiday celebration. We credit Santa with joyous moods, family celebrations, and the perfect gift. I once played the role as Santa, just like them. Today, there is something missing from the Santa scene…my son. Since our first Christmas without Chad, I’ve never been quite as enthusiastic about the […]
Moving Forward with Life
November 26, 2011
My elder daughter was born on Thanksgiving and this year, her birthday would have been on the Wednesday before turkey day. Hours by hour, I thought about my deceased daughter. I thought about her desire to make a good life for her fraternal twins, her favorite foods, her thirst for knowledge, her work ethics, her goals and dreams. Some memories made me smile. Others were painful and I cried. Four years have passed since my daughter died and the tears surprised me. Still, I knew I had to keep moving forward with life. Then a comforting thought came to mind: […]
One Is Silver, the Other Gold: a New Look at Holiday Traditions
November 26, 2011
“I believe that we are here for a reason, I believe that as each day unfolds, We see less of the shadow And more of the sun. Less of the tarnish And more of the gold.” A ninety year old man owned a piece of property with a cabin on a small lake in central Wisconsin. He lived in Chicago. He didn’t go to the cabin because his wife died about seven years before, and the five-hour trip seemed more of a burden than a pleasure. But he still wanted to own the cabin because it was rich with golden […]
Cliffs Notes for the Beginning Griever
November 21, 2011
How is it we are taught to love, work, marry, and procreate, but no one teaches us how grieve? The Victorians had it down to a science. They even had a parlor in their homes where they hosted the funerals of deceased family members. That’s where the term funeral “parlor” came from. People wore black for a designated length of time, and grieving families were not asked to socialize. The only thing expected of them was to rest and recover from their loss. As chunks of time passed, certain “social privileges” were reinstated. After the death of my son, I […]
Thanksgiving Day Brings Sweet, Sad Memories
November 20, 2011
Thanksgiving is a hard day for me. My parents were married on this day and my elder daughter, now deceased, was born on Thanksgiving. I can still smell the tantalizing smell of roasting turkey wafting down the hall from the hospital kitchen and the thyme that was added to the stuffing. But there was no dinner for me because I was in labor. When I think of this family holiday, I think of my daughter. We gave her birthday presents at many Thanksgiving dinners and sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Now there are no birthday gifts and no songs. Memories […]
