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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Lori Ann Wood; Growing Through Adversity
March 17, 2011
Lori Ann Wood is the mother of eight children and 20 grandchildren. In 1983 Lori Ann lost her infant son Brant in a drowning accident. As well as having a strong commitment to family Lori is an artist specializing is portrait painting. Lori Ann has a strong spiritual message to share with others who have suffered loss and is the author of A Mighty Change: Please Don’t Let My Baby Die. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2011/03/OTH_Lori-Wood_11_29_10.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Don’t Let Them Go
March 14, 2011
Death always seems to come to soon or when we don’t expect it. No matter how long someone has lived or how they’ve died, it is impossible to fully prepare for the moment and the days that follow. Our relationships don’t end with death. We are always connected. Death changes the way in which we can communicate, but our feelings, thoughts, memories and experiences live on. We can say goodbye to a loved one, as we knew them, but we don’t have to say goodbye forever. We can choose to say “hello” to them, as the days pass, how we […]
From the Fires Come Unexpected Gifts
March 14, 2011
A few years back, we had a forest fire here in the Sawtooth Mountains. The first evening, we collectively came out and stood on hillsides to watch in horror and awe as the flames engulfed the woods and the pristine scenery, never dreaming it would overpower the town in the days to come. It seemed incomprehensible. As the days went on, a multitude of states were called in to assist, tents were set up, meals prepared. For weeks, acres of trees burned up and down the mountainsides, closing in on our historic town. Finally, people were asked to take their important […]
Mom Opens to Forgiveness After Son’s Murder
March 12, 2011
I don’t find forgiveness a very easy concept to deal with after the murder of my son. My 24-year-old son Peter was kicked to death by bouncers in Atlantic City, NJ, in July 2001 during a bachelor party. For reasons that remain unclear, one bouncer took Peter out of the club about 4:00 AM, roughed him up on the hood of a Honda, left him there. When Peter tried to go back into the club, five men streamed out the door, knocked him to the ground, and continued to kick him even after he lost consciousness. Then they went back […]
Harriet Hodgson; Coping With Loss
March 10, 2011
Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for over 30 years. After the death of her daughter Harriet and her husband took over the responsibility of raising their twin grandchildren. She is the author of over 28 books and a writer for Open to Hope. Her latest book is 101 Affirmations to Ease Your Grief Journey. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/files/2011/03/OTH_Harriet-Hodgson_11_29_10.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Peace in Eight: Friends, Rituals, Time Lessen the Pain of Child-Loss
March 10, 2011
March 1st marked my daughter Jeannine’s eighth angelversary; on that date, Jeannine became forever eighteen. The last seven years have been characterized by intense grief during the days and months leading up to the date of her death. Since Jeannine died of cancer, I would consistently relive the excruciating pain of the last months and moments of her life. I have gradually learned to manage the pain of my loss more effectively over the years. I also believe that reliving the pain of losing our children is another reminder that our love for them never dies. During the eighth year […]
Nicole Alston; Grieving Loss and Health
March 3, 2011
Nicole Alston, MSW is the Founder and Executive Director of The Skye Foundation started in memory of her firstborn daughter, Skye, in 2005. Nicole has spoken to audiences internationally on how to provide support to families who are grieving the death of a baby. In 2006, she produced a video, Infant Mortality from the African American Perspective. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2011/02/OTH_Nicole-Alston_11_29_10.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
What Are Your Triggers?
March 2, 2011
I have to be honest; it’s been a while since anything has “triggered” an intense emotional response. These responses are much fewer and farther between than in my early days of grief. After the death of my daughter, Katie, I wouldn’t even allow myself to respond to the triggers. I had trained my mind to “change the thought or situation” immediately. It was my way to control my feelings and pain, which, looking back, wasn’t the best decision on my part. After the death of my son, Noah, I had no choice but to allow myself to feel the full […]
The Party I Never Wanted to Attend
March 1, 2011
Have you ever not been invited to a party? Everyone you know gets an invitation. You wait for yours. It never arrives. The day of the party comes and goes. No one even called at the last minute to say, “Oh, so sorry. I’m not sure what happened to your invitation, but please come.” You think of all at the party, having fun without you. You don’t feel as lovely or as important or loved. You second-guess your friendships. You wonder if it is your fault for not being the friend you thought you were. On the other hand, have […]
