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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Norma Garcia: Loss of a Daughter and Organ Donation with Norma Garcia
February 14, 2008
Norma Garcia shares the story about the loss of her daughter, Jasmine, due to an automobile accident. Jasmine lived for many days and eventually her organs were donated at her death. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Norma-Garcia-Death-of-a-Daughter-and-Organ-Donation.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Charlotte Mathes: Twice Lost; Death of a Schizophrenic Son
February 7, 2008
Charlotte Mathes talks about the suicide of her schizophrenic son. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/11/Charlotte-Mathes-Twice-Lost-Death-of-a-Schizophrenic-Son.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Yoga This Morning
February 6, 2008
I am still struggling this morning to shake the reality of the world. The morning’s unscripted and unexpected comments from innocent bystanders shake my wobbly legs on this chillier February morning as I am undressing for yoga class….it is not even 7 AM! As I peel the layers of outerwear off my own body, remove my shoes and start to go into the cave, next to me is this woman — happy spirit, normal based on appearances — she is smiling broadly. She has no idea my only son is dead. She is one of these faces I see in […]
Rosemary Smith: Finding Meaning After the Death of Two Children
January 31, 2008
Rosemary Smith has dedicated her life to helping famlies cope with loss. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2008/01/Rosemary_Smith_012108.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Finding Hope After the Death of a Child
January 17, 2008
By Harriet Hodgson I am still in shock at the death of my daughter, the 45-year-old mother of twins. The shock of her death in a car crash will be with me forever. Fortunately, I am blessed to have twin grandchildren and my new mission in life is caring for them. My husband and I share this mission. I know my grandchildren and they know me. They know I love them, will care for them, and keep my promises. Though they are living with their father my mind is filled with parenting thoughts about them. Do you have enough lunch money? […]
Poem: We Hardly Got To Know You
January 15, 2008
My Great Grand daughter Raimey Elizabeth Cantrell-Rider, born June 21, 2007, died Dec 31, 2007. I wrote this poem for her and her family. We hardly got to know you before you passed away. You were so sweet and beautiful, As dear as dear can be. We hardly got to know you before you left this world. Wait! Come back! We’re really not ready to say goodbye. We hardly got to know you before your very last breath. We were so looking forward to knowing you, and watching you grow and change. We hardly got to know you before you […]
Poem: Cenos
January 8, 2008
I will name this thing we are not made for This thing that has happened to some, that we never expected, that we blame ourselves for, more that we should. We sit next to you on the bus, talk to you at work or in line You might never know, we cloak it well Unless you catch us crushed, Pulled over past impromptu roadside flowers, blown away After radio news of yet another soldier gone, wretched In the hospital on deaths, anniversaries, hollowed out Avoiding baby showers and pregnant women. Sobbing We are not made for our children to die […]
My Youngest Son Died in an Accident
January 6, 2008
Dear Dr. Gloria, My youngest son Nathan, just 20 years old died in a car accident on my husband’s birthday, July 7th, 2007. He took a curve too fast on July 4th at 3:30 am, the same curve he had taken 100 times before. He was not not wearing a seat belt, he was ejected from the car window. He landed in a grassy meadow in a remote area and it took emergency response a while to locate him. His car rolled end on end, but the inside of the car was unharmed, he would have lived if he had […]
Poem: Why Did You Come, 2008?
January 4, 2008
Why did you come two thousand and eight? And why is everyone happy and feeling so great? If your intention is to bring me joy, then it is too late Since you have already determined my fate I cannot welcome another new year Without having my beloved daughter near It is amazing how everyone else is joyful and wants to cheer I guess many among them have not yet lost someone so dear! “Why are you so sad on this day?” I am asked “Does it coincide with the day your daughter passed?” Gone should be the days that you […]
