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.
SORT BY RELATIONSHIP
Dreams of Death, Thoughts that Empower
May 13, 2011
As I write this story, it is Easter Sunday 2011, a point that I pray will not be relevant to anyone reading this in the weeks and months to come. Before my late son was born, I began to have a series of dreams that I call the “Royal” dreams, because they had something to do with either Prince Charles or Lady Di, and sometimes both. I remember one that took place in the 1980s, with Prince Charles giving me a long dissertation on his interests, and I didn’t get a word in edgewise. I found these dreams, if nothing […]
The Heart Remembers
May 12, 2011
In Loving Memory of My Son, Clint, 1885-2005 The heart remembers even when we aren’t actively thinking about our child. It was 51/2 years since our son had died of a drug overdose. The thoughts weren’t in front of my face all the time, and the weight wasn’t so heavy on my shoulders. I was finding the energy to re-invest into my new normal. We were planning a trip to the Grand Canyon. It would be a trip of a lifetime. We were visiting with family and hiking the canyon. My mind had been filled with preparations for the trip. […]
Orioles and Wood Ducks: Birds of Hope
May 11, 2011
I never used to pay much attention to the birds. To me, they were just little brown blobs I’d notice from the corner of my eye while I was flitting to the garage, to the garbage can, or to the mailbox. A busy mom, I didn’t have time to stop and look. Then, when my kids were older, I went back to work and really jammed activity and purpose into every day. I’d catch up with the birds later when I had more time. Then my twenty-four year old son, Peter, was kicked to death by bouncers outside a club […]
Mums, Daughters and Mother’s Day
May 7, 2011
When I was growing up, I thought my mum was the most beautiful mother in the world! I would sit in our bathroom, cross-legged on a white fluffy stool and gaze at her as she applied her make-up. I was fascinated, watching her dip her cosmetic brush into the sink water, then she’d dab the brush into her charcoal Estee Lauder eye shadow and transform her deep set eyes into a picture of glamour. And when I got older, we’d share a glass of wine together in that same bathroom as we groomed ourselves, swapped clothes and talked about life. Mum never left the house without […]
Mother’s Day Flowers Keep Showing Up
May 6, 2011
The Mother’s Day flowers still arrive every Saturday afternoon from the local florist shop. Before I had children, my mother always sent flowers to me because, she said, she wouldn’t be a mother without me. Years later, as another Mother’s Day approached, I had a baby to go with the day and planned an ocean-side stroll, followed by brunch. The temperature was around 72 degrees, the sun was shining and the birds were singing their little hearts out. We were a Hallmark card in motion. As my husband guided the stroller toward the outdoor café, our captivating Gap-attired baby began […]
Heaven Bound
May 6, 2011
Heaven Bound Year after year On your special day Mother’s Day I brought you flowers Gave you a hug and kiss Reminded you how special you were. Every one of those years I knew you were grateful For my gifts and my love Yet, a sadness remained In your beautiful blue eyes It remained throughout the years. I remember that dark day When we were told that Your only son, my only brother Was killed in war On Mother’s Day Body never recovered. But, this Mother’s Day I will rejoice for you, and Will no longer […]
Webinar; Mother’s Day Survival Techniques After the Death of a Child with Darcie Sims
May 5, 2011
This was a free webinar recorded on May 2. Dr Darcie Sims and Dr Gloria and Dr Heidi Horsley discuss constructive ways to survive Mother’s Day after the loss of a child.
A Mother’s Heart
May 4, 2011
A heart grown weary, A soul shattered by loss. How can it be, that I still live, And yet my son does not. As mother Mary, “kept these things,” I pondered in my own heart. Did Mary know her Son would die? As surely, I did not. Mary cried, for her Savior Son. And I, for mine, We have a mother’s heart. Inspired by Luke 1:19, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” (KJV) The poem above is rough, but it says much about how Mary’s situation kept me going after Joshua died by suicide. […]
Connecting to Nature: Sacred Lessons Learned
April 30, 2011
“Mom, can you come today? I want to show you the little river Wes and I found yesterday. It’s full of minnows. It’s in that marshy place where they cut down those old trees.” There were indeed minnows in his new-found stream. I returned, on numerous occasions, to ponder their existence; I returned to recall the precious moments we had shared; I returned to caress his foot’s imprint in the muddy-bog; I returned, praying that nature would preserve it – never taking it from me. One of the most difficult things to come to terms with was my need to […]
