Open to Hope Articles

Soul and Grief Connection

April 8, 2024

The soul and grief are deeply intertwined in many spiritual and philosophical traditions. It’s only natural that after someone dies, those they leave behind will start to question and want to find meaning. Grief can lead individuals to ask questions, prompting them to think about the nature of existence and the soul’s relationship with the material world. This journey, though difficult, can lead to profound insights and philosophical and spiritual growth, reshaping our understanding of life and death. BELIEVING IN THE AFTERLIFE  Believing in the afterlife can offer immense comfort to those grieving, providing a sense of continuation beyond physical […]

Poem Eases Sister’s Pain

March 25, 2024

After our sister Jane’s death, Margie and I, working long retail hours, did not communicate very often. Although we did not speak about our loss, Margie sent me a poem she’d written. She eloquently expressed her feelings in it. Who has broken into our lives? Who has spoken to our brokenness? Who keeps breaking into our presence? We don’t have all the answers. We do have a lot of questions. We search in a world of bereft. Descent upon our hearts, for we need renewing away. We await your love and power to heal and bless. Refresh us now. Enlighten us […]

Writing through Grief

March 25, 2024

I write about grief to help me through the ‘grieving process’ after the loss of my twin. I hope it helps you too. Grief is complex; it’s based around individual experiences that people go through in response to loss. WRITING HELPS ME Writing helps me through the grieving process after the loss of my twin. It allows me to express how I feel, myself. The act of putting thoughts into words, I find is cathartic and healing. GRIEF IS NOT LINEAR It is important to be aware that grief is not a linear process. It does not have a defined […]

Twins: Connected in Life and Death

March 8, 2024

Twins: Connected in Life and Death As a twin myself, the death of actor and identical twin Jon Hager was especially fascinating. Jon and Jim Hager co-starred in the old TV show, “Hee-Haw,” back in the 1970s. Jim died of a heart attack last year at just 66 years of age; Jon died at 67 on Jan. 9. It had been reported that Jon was depressed after his brother’s death; the cause of Jon’s death has not yet been determined. These nearly back-to-back deaths don’t surprise me. When the twin bond is broken, it leaves a bereft and broken twin. […]

Grief Can Transform the Future

March 4, 2024

Grief can throw a spanner in the works, but it can also bring acceptance and closure positively, so long as we’re honest with ourselves. Our experiences can distort our perception of the past. It can feel like our memories are no longer reliable, as grief colours everything with its darkness. A SPANNER IN THE WORKS  A spanner may throw our past into the works because the past isn’t always kind, so we alter how we perceive it. Loss can stop us in our tracks, and it can make us question the value and meaning of our experiences. Grief can make […]

A Spiritual and Healing Journey

February 26, 2024

Spirituality and healing around grief is inevitably an individual and personal journey, with no two people sharing the same experiences. While my interest in spirituality started in childhood, my spiritual and healing journey started in earnest some 13+ years ago when I set up my website, The CP Diary, following my Cerebral Palsy diagnosis, aged 46. Personal reflections capture the essence of spirituality and healing. It also highlights the personal nature of spirituality and its potential to accommodate healing on multiple levels—including the physical, emotional and spiritual level. It involves connecting with our inner-selves and being in tune with the […]

Navigating Support for Bereaved Children

February 15, 2024

Concerned about a bereaved child? Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers are joined by their guest Andy McNiel, a child bereavement expert. Gain valuable tips and tools on effectively helping bereaved kids. Andy, the Executive Director of the Satori Group, brings expertise in child advocacy and is the co-author of “Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children.” https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/content.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/Andy-McNiel-Navigating-Support-for-Bereaved-Children.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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International Day Of Hope And Healing After Loss Conference Candle Lighting

February 7, 2024

Alan Pedersen is an award-winning speaker, songwriter and recording artist. His inspirational message of hope and his music have resonated deeply with those facing a loss or adversity in their lives and have made him one of the most popular, in-demand presenters in the world on finding hope after loss. Since the death of his 18-year-old daughter Ashley in 2001, Alan has traveled to more than 1,500 cities speaking and playing his original music. Alan also successfully served four years as the Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends, the largest grief organization in the world. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/content.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/International-Day-Of-Hope-And-Healing-After-Loss-Conference-Candle-Lighting.mp3Podcast: Play in new window […]

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Sibling Panel

February 7, 2024

The International Day of Hope and Healing after Loss is a free online experience brought to you by the Open to Hope Foundation with the mission of helping people find hope after loss. Our expert presenters have generously donated their time, talents, and advice to share with you. On this panel are: Zander Sprague, Moderator – Elizabeth Devita Raeburn, Cindy Tart, Dr. Chris Lourenco, Jason Wendroff, and Jordan Ferber. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/content.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/Sibling-Panel.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | Download