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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The Gift that Keeps on Giving
November 15, 2011
Few of us are ready to assume the position and the responsibility that comes with our new role in the family when a parent dies, no matter what our age. My mother died of ovarian cancer, when I was a young mother. I assumed Mom’s holiday rituals and family duties because I thought she would have expected that of me. I really didn’t want to be in charge (the men in my family would protest but it‘s true). If life could have been normal again with Mom at the wheel driving us into that celebration frenzy that only she could […]
Dianne Gray; Having a Child Diagnosed with a Life Limiting Illness
November 14, 2011
Dianne Gray talks about loss of a child to a terminal illness at the annual Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), 2011
Kim Wencl; From Tragedy to Transformation
November 10, 2011
Kim Wencl’s daughter Elizabeth died on 9-20-03 from a fire while attending the University of Minnesota. Kim is a contributor to the book, True Stories of Messages from Beyond by Julie Aydlott & Friends. She is here to offer hope and possibility by sharing her amazing grief journey — “From Tragedy to Transformation – a Mother’s story.” https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2011/11/Kim-Wencl_03.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Kim Wencl; From Tragedy to Transformation
November 10, 2011
Kim Wencl’s daughter Elizabeth died on 9-20-03 from a fire while attending the University of Minnesota. Kim is a contributor to the book, True Stories of Messages from Beyond by Julie Aydlott & Friends. She is here to offer hope and possibility by sharing her amazing grief journey — “From Tragedy to Transformation – a Mother’s story.” https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2011/11/Kim-Wencl_031.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Henya Shanun-Klein; Parental Bereavement
November 7, 2011
Henya Shanun-Klein talks about the 6 steps of Parental Bereavement at the annual Association of Death Education and Counseling, ADEC 2011
Nephew Has Special Bond With Deceased Uncle
November 7, 2011
We all use our minds to try to understand why our children died. I am no different; when our son Keith died, I continued to ask that endless question—Why? Throughout my pursuit for answers, my niece Juli and her son Cody helped me realize that maybe I was not looking at all possibilities—just maybe I would have to go beyond my own realm of understanding. As Juli shared some of Cody’s spiritual experiences with me, I found it would take a child to help me break through the spiritual barriers that I, as an adult, had created. Cody was […]
Sometimes You Need to Be Alone
November 6, 2011
Rochester, Minnesoa, my home town, is big on volunteerism. I’ve served on countless committees, held offices and taken minutes until I was crazy. Some people expect to see me at functions and am disappointed when I am not there. Last week our church choir sang the song we commissioned in memory of our deceased daughter. After church this morning I spoke with the choir’s co-director. “We sang Helen’s song at last week’s service,” she said. “I just couldn’t come,” I replied. The co-director nodded her head in understanding. What I didn’t say is that memorial services, especially those around Thanksgiving, […]
Honor Your Adult Child with Living Memorials
October 28, 2011
Each year, my church holds a memorial service for those who have died. Members of the congregation light candles and speak the names of their departed loved ones aloud. This year, members will bring photos of their deceased loved ones and create a memorial alter. Was it time to display my daughter’s photo and speak her name? We have never attended these services. My husband will be out of town and I considered going, but only for a moment. "The memorial service is this Sunday," I commented to my husband. "I don’t think I can go." "We’ve grieved enough," he […]
Finding Daughter’s Purse Restarts Grief Four Years Later
October 28, 2011
The lower level of our house gets lots of use, especially in the winter time. We watch television there and work in our home office. Fourteen years ago, we had new carpet installed and it had become worn and dirty. “Sorry, I can’t get it any cleaner,” the cleaning man said, and I believed him. It was time to install new carpet again. Before the crew arrived, we had to clear out closets and cull legal papers. In 2007, four family members died and we took in items from three estates. My husband was managing these estates and the paperwork […]
