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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Reflections of a Bereaved Dad, Part 3: Asking for Help
June 22, 2007
I went back to work a couple of weeks after Lance’s death. I was very fortunate to have a caring and compassionate work environment. My partners and associates covered for me while I was off. When I returned they asked me how Kathy was doing. They spoke Lance’s name. They asked how his brothers, Bryan and Sean, were holding up. They talked about the accident. They offered any assistance my family needed. I was back to work for a couple of months when one of my partners came into my office, closed the door and said, “We are very sad […]
Reflections of a Bereaved Dad, Part 2: You Are Not Alone
June 21, 2007
Three or four weeks after Lance’s funeral we received an information packet from The Compassionate Friends (TCF). When I came home Kathy told me about the information and how it was a support group for bereaved parents and how she wanted to go to a meeting. I’m listening but honestly I’m thinking that this is the last thing I need. I don’t do support groups. Heck I don’t ask for directions when I driving, what makes you think I’m going to a support group meeting. However, I know Kathy is in no shape to go alone so reluctantly I go. […]
Reflections of a Bereaved Dad, Part 1: Transform Misery into Treasured Remembrances
June 20, 2007
It’s hard for me to believe that March of this year was Lance’s 37 birthday and it will be 12 years this May since he died. It has been even longer for Scott and Erin. As I look back I realize that the passage of time provided some help but other influences in the form of people, events and organizations have had an even greater impact on my journey. So I would like to share some reflections that have helped me with the intent that you might find another piece of the map that may give you hope and help […]
Recovering From My Daughter’s Sudden and Tragic Death
June 18, 2007
Grieving is hard work. It is really hard for me because I am grieving for three loved ones at once — my daughter, who was killed in a car crash, my father-in-law, who succumbed to pneumonia, and my brother who died of cancer. All of these deaths were painful, but my daughter’s death was the worst of all. Relatives and friends rallied to help me. Their support lasted for weeks and then it began to fade. Psychotherapist Judy Tatelbaum writes about this response in “The Courage to Grieve.” People start to pull back, she explains, “as if the time for […]
Bud Welch: From Rage to Reconciliation
June 7, 2007
After the death of Bud Welch’s daughter in the bombing of the Oklahoma Federal Building, he talks about his move from rage to forgiveness. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2007/06/Bud_Welch_060707.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Beth Page: A Mother’s Journey Through Grief
May 31, 2007
After the loss of her young son, Beth Page and her husband create special gifts for grieving families through their business Dakota Winds. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2007/05/Beth_Page_053107.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Polly Moore: Thoughts on Being a Bereaved Parent and Grandparent
May 17, 2007
Polly Moore talks about the loss of not only a child, but also a grandchild and the profound changes that occurred in her life. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Polly-Moore-051707.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Mother’s Day Trail Message By Debra Reagan
May 15, 2007
Mother’s Day The first Mother’s Day without our son, Clint, was approaching. He had passed away the summer before, but the weight of grief was still heavy. So far we had made it through each day by taking one slow, encumbered step at a time. Each morning for several weeks prior to the upcoming holiday, I began to notice a little sports-type car parked near my car in the parking garage at work. Apparently, it was parked there on a long-term basis because it started to gather dust. After a while, the thick dust became a target for graffiti- some […]
Debra Reagan: Getting Through Mother’s Day
May 10, 2007
Debra Reagan shares her story of her son’s bi-polar diagnosis and later the accidental overdose that lead to his death. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/10/Debra-Reagan-051007.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
