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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Another Year, Another Piece of the Grief Journey
January 7, 2009
By Debra Reagan — I was sitting at my desk and glanced at the new calendar hanging on the wall. Suddenly, I was hit with the overwhelming thought of another. My heart ached over the thought of another birthday for my deceased child, another anniversary date, and all the other holidays that would come around another time. Many questions came to mind. Had I not gone through the depths of grief? Had I not walked through the Valley of the Shadows? Was this not enough? How could I be expected to do more?? It struck me the New Year was […]
Four Stages of Forgiveness
January 5, 2009
The full process of forgiveness is a liberating experience. One that if practiced smartly can lead to a terrific life experience. Interestingly, forgiveness can only occur because we have been given the gift of the ability to make choices. We have the choice to forgive or not to forgive and no one can force us to do either. Conversely, if we want to forgive someone no one can stop us no matter how poorly they may act. This ability to forgive is a manifestation of the personal control we have over our lives. It is nice to reflect upon and feel the respect that we have been given to be able to make such profound choices.
Compellingly, the option to forgive also implies that we had discretion as to whether or not we took offense in the first place. While forgiving may be a difficult enough choice for many of us, imagine how our lives would be if we rarely or never used our power of choice to take offense. Since we have choice, wouldn’t it make sense to limit the amount of times we are hurt or offended so that the need to forgive rarely if ever arises? The ability to live life without taking offense, without giving blame, and by offering forgiveness are choices that offer a life of great peace.
Be Intentional About Reaching Out
January 5, 2009
By Mitch Carmody — My resolution for the year ahead is to practice one element of what I call Proactive Grieving. That element is being intentional; to reach out with some sort of communication that recognizes a special day for someone who has suffered a loss. Certain calendar days throughout the year are very significant to those who grieve the loss of a loved one: death days, birthdays, diagnosis days, anniversaries, day of the accident, day of surgery, religious observations, holidays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, family annual event days and more. In the first year of loss, even the day […]
Sharon Strauss: Spiritual Healing and Well Being after Suicide Loss
January 1, 2009
Sharon Strauss talks about grief, self discovery & spiritual awakening after the suicide of her teenage daughter. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Sharon-Strauss-010710.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Pat Kiefer and Bud Kiefer: Through the Eyes of the Parents: the Murder of Our Son a 9/11 Firefighter
January 1, 2009
Pat and Bud Kiefer share their story after the loss of their only son on 9/11. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Pat-and-Bud-Kiefer-082406.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Susan Hawkes: Pregnancy and Infant Loss
January 1, 2009
Susan Hawkes has had multiple miscarriages and the loss of an infant twin. She shares her hope with others. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Susan-Hawkes-0901051.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Mother Whose Daughter Died: ‘Why Can’t I Cry?’
December 26, 2008
Question from Sherry:?I’m not sure what to say, but feel compelled to write something.?My 38-year-old daughter Colleen died May 20, 2008. I spoke to her that?morning. She was feeling better than she had for 2 weeks. I?was in? another state with my younger daughter; she and her?husband were to?adopt a child and I was helping with their 2 small?boys. Less than?3 hrs later, my husband called and said Colleen is gone. She?died of an?asthma attack. She had asthma all of her life and felt she?could handle?any situation. Her 2 small children were just coming home?from school.?The paramedics did not reach her in time. We had a service?and lots of?loving people said kind and wonderful words to us.?I smiled?thanked?them, never shed a tear, and in my mind & heart did NOT?believe and?still don’t believe she’s gone. We are blessed to?have gardianship of?our 2 grandchildren (ages 7 and 9).?They make us happy.
Mitch Carmody and Alan Pedersen; The Holidays, Helpful or Hurtful
December 25, 2008
Alan is a singer and song writer who was inspired by the death of his daughter Ashley to reach out to others grieving a loss through his music. Mitch shares his grief and healing after the death, through cancer, of his 7 year old son. Mitch was then inspired to write Letters to My son. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2011/01/Mitch-Carmody-and-Alan-Pedersen-122508.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
