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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Military Losses Often Complicated by War Coverage
October 7, 2008
By Stephanie Frogge — Living in a country at war, it’s difficult to escape the media reports, the mind-numbing statistics, the opinions of politicians, even the views of our family and friends. The issues that drive it and the images that make it real, even to those who do not have a loved one serving in the armed forces, are inescapable parts of our current culture. But for those whose involvement is more personal, for those whose loved ones have died while in service to their country, the very public nature of the issue is but one unique characteristic of […]
When the Head and Heart are at War
October 6, 2008
By Debra Reagan — On August 6, 2005, a civil war of my being was declared. You may not have heard of this war. It isn’t marked on a map or recorded in history books. Nonetheless, this war had a devastating impact on the people involved. Upon hearing the news, The Heart declared war on The Head. The Heart built a fortress to keep away the pain. But no fortress was strong enough to hold back the anguish. The Heart ached and wailed out during the night, “This cannot be true! This can’t be possible! Just look at all the […]
Messages From Children Who Have Died
October 3, 2008
By Rosemary Smith — September 3, 2008 I woke up this morning and rolled over to look at the clock…it was 7:23. How many times in the past sixteen years had I jolted awake at exactly 7:23? Those three numbers used to take my breath away, but as the years passed, they came to be a sign from Drew and Jeremiah that they were near. What was their message this morning? Most of my Labor Day was a labor of love as I worked on bereavement packets for my Fellow Travelers. This morning, I realized that I had thirty-three packets […]
Transplant Waiting List Nears 100,000
September 28, 2008
Reg Green and his family made headlines worldwide in 1994 by donating their 7-year-old son’s organs after the boy was shot in a botched robbery. Now, Reg reports, the number of Americans waiting for organs is nearing 100,000. What can you do to help?
Suzanne Redfern and Susan Gilbert: Living With the Death of a Child
September 25, 2008
The death of their children brought Suzanne Redfern and Susan Gilbert together and inspired them to write The Grieving Garden. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Suzanne-Redfern-Susan-Gilbert-092508.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Judy Wolf: Healing the Soul
September 25, 2008
Judy Wolf explores how one heals the heart and soul. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Judy-Wolf-092508.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Eighteen Years Later, Father Confronts Daughter’s Killer
September 19, 2008
By Lew Cox — In October 2005, I attended a California State parole hearing for the slayer of my daughter, Carmon. Carmon was 22 years old when she was murdered in 1987 in Los Angeles. The drive from Tacoma, Wash., to the Soledad Prison in central California was a philosophical time that gave me the chance to reflect on the ramifications this crime has had on my family. This would be the first time that I would face Carmon’s killer. When he was sentenced for his crime, I was not informed by the L.A. District Attorney’s office that I had […]
“A Tsunami”: Suicidal Crisis Up Close
September 17, 2008
By DeQuincy Lezine — (Editor’s note: Dr. Lezine attempted suicide during college, then turned his personal despair into advocacy by forming the first student-led college mental health and suicide prevention group. Here is the story of his suicidal crisis.) Normally I tell people that you don’t just wake up one day and say, “Hey, I’m suicidal today.” No one moment, no single event, is enough by itself to create a suicidal crisis. Instead, multiple events or situations, known as risk factors, combine to increase the chances that a person will consider and attempt suicide. But one of the paradoxes of […]
Mom Remembers a Son Who Died Too Young
September 15, 2008
By Debra Reagan — Everyone was so excited when Clint came into our lives that beautiful day in May. While we were at the hospital the day he was born, the contractor began work on our new home. We were a young family with many hopes and dreams. Clint was a delightful child and made our family of four complete. He was very affectionate and loved the touch of those around him. Clint’s older brother, Blake, told every visitor, “He is our baby and you can’t take him with you.” As Clint grew from our baby to our little boy, […]
