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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Grief Does Not Define Me
April 11, 2023
Grief Does Not Define Me When my daughter told me that grief defined me, I felt like I had been punched in my gut. After years of presenting a happy persona, and not talking about my beloved sisters Margie and Jane, I learned that my acting skills would not win an Oscar. Her words forced me to switch the narrative from grief does not define me to grief is a part of me. Losing my two sisters forty-two and thirty-three years ago forever changed my life. This is my life, my story, and embracing this truth has lifted a burden of […]
After a Sibling Loss: Signs Not to be Ignored
April 8, 2023
After a sibling loss, it’s natural for a child of any age to experience grief in some form. So what should parents consider a sign of trouble for the child after the sibling’s death? What could be seen as symptoms of mental illness? Below is not an exhaustive list, but it suggests common clues often seen in a child who is suffering emotionally, socially, and psychologically. Signs Not To Be Ignored Expressing statements or presenting behaviors that imply threats to harm self or others. Extreme social withdrawal, to the point of isolation despite the attempts of family and friends to […]
Common Reactions to Sibling Loss
April 6, 2023
Common Reactions to Sibling Loss What are the most common reactions to sibling loss? How do siblings react at different stages of childhood? Here are some generalities: Reactions Among Infants These children may be too young to know the specifics of the tragedy, but they can pick up cues from people around them. Babies can sense that something is different in their environment. Parents who care for them appear distant and upset. Adults may stop interacting with them. The baby experiences less security; their needs may not be fully met. The baby is learning that what once was a happy […]
Dina Gachman: Mastering Grief Through Writing
April 6, 2023
Join Dr’s Gloria and Heidi Horsley and their guest Dina Gachman Pulitzer Center Grantee and a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Vox, and Texas Monthly. Hear how writing has helped Dina to live with grief after losing her mother to cancer and her sister to alcoholism. Her most recent book So sorry for your loss gives a fresh take on grief. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Dina-Gachman-Mastering-Grief-Through-Writing.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Fear After Sibling Loss
April 4, 2023
Fear After Sibling Loss Fear is commonplace in children after a sibling’s death. Many times, the surviving child may not state their fear directly, but an astute parent can detect this emotion in statements such as these: I don’t want to go to school. Please keep the light on for me at night. Can I sleep in your room/bed? Turn off the TV; I don’t want to watch that show. Is Daddy going to be OK on his trip? Don’t go to the store, Mommy! Can I come with you when you run your errands? Where is my old teddy […]
Gratitude While Grieving
March 31, 2023
Gratitude While Grieving I do not believe in making New Year’s resolutions, but believe in stating what I am grateful for. After all that we have lost, how are we different today than a year ago? How has our perspective on things changed? And what are we grateful for? In December, we welcomed grandson number two who arrived five weeks early. So grateful he is in good health, home, thriving and has the love of family around him. I recall the birth of grandson number one and how my emotions bubbled up, the contrast of extreme feelings of joy to […]
Jen Gilchrist: Activating your Healing Energy
March 30, 2023
Are you struggling with having clarity of your unique purpose and spiritual gifts? Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Rebecca Horsley Bara and their guest Spiritual Mentor Jen Gilchrist for a lively discussion of how to cultivate you intuition and align with your power. She is the founder of Soul Success Unleashed. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jen-Gilchrist-Activating-your-Healing-Energy.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Anger after a Sibling Loss
March 29, 2023
Anger after a Sibling Loss When a child loses a sibling, the surviving child may be overwhelmed by anger. As with guilt, anger can be conscious or unconscious and is evident in thoughts like the following: I am mad at my sibling for messing up my life. My parents should have protected my brother. My mom and dad should be there for me. God shouldn’t have let this happen to my family. The doctors and nurses weren’t good enough to fix my sister. My friends don’t understand and aren’t there for me. My family should have included me more in […]
Role of Guilt in Sibling Loss
March 17, 2023
How Guilt Shows Itself More than any other emotion, guilt arguably dominates the mental life of a sibling who losing a sibling. This guilt can take many forms, depending on the relationship between the siblings and the manner of death. Siblings can feel responsible and place blame on themselves, sometimes irrationally. Common thoughts reflecting this self-blame include: I am older, so I should have been the protector. Why didn’t I go first? I was sick, too, so why didn’t I die? I shouldn’t have thought those mean things about my sister. I should have been nicer and not fought the […]
