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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Romi Lessig Kids and Grief Buddies
March 11, 2021
Romi Lessig is the board chair for Camp Agape Bereavement Camp outside Austin. Since 2010, she has been a “buddy” at summer kid’s camp and facilitator at fall family camp. In 2021, she is looking forward to integrating Footprints Ministry after school program of peer grief support groups. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Romi-Lessig-Kids-and-Grief-Buddies.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Valerie Samuels: Caring For Yourself and Your Family After A Unique Loss
January 14, 2021
Losing a twin in a unique experience for both mother and child. Valerie Samuels is the mother of 5 surviving children. She lost her twin daughter, Gina nine days after birth. As a support to children who have experienced the death of a twin, Valerie wrote the children’s book Always My Twin. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Valerie-Samuels-Caring-For-Yourself-and-Your-Family-After-Loss-of-a-Twin.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Mackenzie Drazan: Get Help After Loss
December 31, 2020
Had a loss, looking for support? Join Dr. Heidi and Dr. Gloria Horsley and bereaved sibling Mackenzie Drazan for a discussion of MiResource a web based platform which can help you connect with mental health care. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Mackenzie-Drazan-Get-Help-After-Loss.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Jason Snyder: Drug Overdose and Recovery
December 24, 2020
Jason Snyder came to the world of addiction and recovery through family tragedy and personal struggle with addiction. He lost both of his siblings to drug overdose and as a person in long-term recovery, work in this field is a calling and important to him both personally and professionally. Today, he is director of strategic partnerships for Pinnacle Treatment Centers. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jason-Snyder-Drug-Overdose-and-Recovery.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Brandi Hamlin Healing Grief: The Mind/Body Connection
December 17, 2020
Has it occurred to you that healing grief must occur on a physical as well as an emotional level? Join Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley and Brandi Hamlin, bereaved sibling, Social Worker, holistic therapist and yoga teacher in a discussion of the mind-body connection. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Brandi-Hamlin-Healing-Grief-The-Mind-Body-Connection.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Alesia K. Alexander: Saying Goodbye to Mommy or Daddy
December 3, 2020
Wondering how to deal with children who have lost a parent? This is a not to be missed show with Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley and Alesia K. Alexander, social worker and author of Tapestries: A Creative & Inclusive Approach to Grief Support for Youth & Communities. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Alesia-K-Alexander-Saying-Goodbye-to-Mommy-or-Daddy.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A Decade of Celebration of Sisters
November 27, 2020
November 1 would have marked a decade, the Grand Finale of Celebration of Sisters, an annual ice skating event to benefit Massachusetts General Hospital to commemorate the lives and memories of my beloved sisters Margie and Jane. Due to COVID-19 the event will be postponed until November 7, 2021. The time and energy put into the event, a void, a gap in my time, my emotions needed to channel my grief for my sisters whose birthdays come on November 6th and 8th, and the anniversary of the death of my sister Jane on November 7th. For the past nine years, […]
Jennifer A. O’Brien: Forever Changed But Still Here
October 15, 2020
Having lost her only sibling, mother, and most recently her husband, Jennifer O’Brien encourages compassionate, real conversation about caregiving and end of life through her book, The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal, where she shares her story through collages and insights. Jennifer has been in healthcare leadership for 30+ years and has authored 45 articles. Find her at hospicedrswidow.com. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jennifer-A.-OBrien-Forever-Changed-But-Still-Here.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Excerpt from ROCK ON: Blessings in the Lessons
September 21, 2020
This is an excerpt from Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief, which is available https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-River-Sibling-Grief/dp/1732888892/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2V353DVSRK5ZL&keywords=rock+on+mining+for+joy+in+the+deep+river+of+grief&qid=1576002958&sprefix=Rock+On%3A+Mining+for+%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-1 Chapter 10: Blessings in the Lessons Sisters Yvon Stokkink and Marissa Kerkdijk: interviewed in June 2015, Holland Mattijs Kerkdijk: 5/17/82-9/7/14 Cause of death: Suicide The day before his mother’s birthday, Mattijs received a text from his sister Yvon, who offered to pick him up the following day and bring him to his mother’s birthday party. My back is killing me, he texted back. Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that, and I hope you feel better, Yvon wrote. I […]
