Open to Hope Articles
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Bereaved Mother Seeks Grief Group After Death of Infant
December 23, 2008
Question from Marie: My son Daniel went into the light and passed away from?SIDS on Nov 16, 2008. He was a precious baby, smiled all the time, and is loved so much by his family. We do not understand why he is gone physically; it just seems surreal;, we are still in shock, and his big sister is doing well with it. When I found him it was too late. We triedeverything to save him. Even though his life was short lived, he was supposed to be here. We chose me to be his mother, and even though he has passed it was the biggest gift just to have him in my life for the 2 1/2 months. He was 14 pounds and perfect. I just don’t understand; this is my biggest struggle. We love you, Daniel. If anyone out their knows of hospice support groups for parents who have lost children, please let me know, because I need a little help understanding grief. We get through the days but a part of me is broken.?I was his mother, his main caregiver. And I miss him so much. Rest in peace, Daniel, and I know your seeing beautiful things. Remember to sing and dance, until we see you again.
Ken Druck; Helping Families Through Loss
December 18, 2008
Ken founded the The Jenna Druck foundation to stand with families during their grief. Jenna was Ken’s daughter who died in India in a bus accident. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2011/01/Ken-Druck-121808.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Grieving Baby 35 Years Later
December 17, 2008
Tammy writes in: My friend who is 52 is grieving over a baby she lost when she was 17. She has?two other children- adults now. But she is suddenly feeling this loss feeling like she was supposed to have three children. Is it possible to grieve this far from the death?
Tom Zuba, author, inspirational speaker, and workshop facilitator,?responds: Yes, it is possible to grieve many years after a death has occurred.?
I Lost My Daughter
December 12, 2008
From The Grief Blog, March 27, 2008 I lost my daughter Lanai on March 9, 2008. She would have been my first. I miss her so much and it hurts. I know that I will get through it but dealing with this alone has been extremely difficult. I find comfort in reading everyone’s comments to each other and praying. I know that she is in a special place and watches over me every day. Although I was only 4 months along, I fell in love with her the first moment that I was pregnant. When my water broke I feel […]
How Do I Help My Niece – Her Baby Was Stillborn
December 12, 2008
From The Grief Blog, May 14, 2008 My niece, suzanne, gave birth Monday, May 12, 2008 to a 6 lb 8 oz little boy. The baby was stillborn. Her pregnancy was fine and she had been to the doctor the previous Friday. Baby’s heart beat was strong and she discussed inducing labor with her doctor. They scheduled it for Saturday, May 17th. On Sunday she started to feel not so well and put a call into her doctor. She was given an appt. for the next morning. During her visit they were not able to hear a heartbeat so they did […]
Poem: I Dreamed Today
December 12, 2008
I DREAMED TODAY, of a little one being born, with ten little toes, ten little fingers and a pug little nose, AND I PRAYED. I DREAMED TODAY, that my little one opened her eyes and noticed that I was her mom, and she looked at me with such a smile and eyes so bright it took my breath away, AND I PRAYED. I DREAMED TODAY that I cooed and tickled my little one and hoped that this feeling of undying love we shared would never end so that I could forever hear my little ones’ laughter, AND I PRAYED. I […]
Woman Grieves Over Death of a Baby 35 Years Ago
December 10, 2008
Tammy writes in with a question: My friend who is 52 is grieving over a baby she lost when she was 17. She has 2 other children- adults now. But she is suddenly feeling this loss feeling like she was supposed to have 3 children. Is it possible to grieve this far from the death?
Doris Jeanette, Psy.D., author of?Opening the Heart, responds: It is not only possible, but ?helpful, to?grieve any loss that has not been fully?experienced. ?It does not matter how many years ago the original loss occurred.??As a young?mother, your friend may not have been able to fully grieve the loss. She may have blamed herself and as a result shut off her feelings and emotions. Now she?may be ready?to feel the loss and express her emotions. This is wonderful. You can be a helpful?friend?by?supporting?her in expressing her feelings and?emotions?in?healthy?ways. You can also?encourage?her to seek professional help, if needed. ?She will be a stronger and?healthier?person after she processes the loss of her child. Opening the heart is a life-long process and how it unfolds is how it unfolds. Honor her and her healing process.
