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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The Alzheimer’s Experience, Part II: ‘He Was Such a Strong, Proud Man’
September 5, 2017
“Henry hasn’t been that bad,” Mrs Van Winkle reported to Dr Miller. “The only big problem is he wakes up at night and thinks it’s morning. Then he wakes me up to fix breakfast, and I can’t get back to sleep. I can’t understand why he thinks it’s morning when it’s still dark.” “I’ll prescribe a sleeping pill for him and see you both in a week to see how it works.” Next visit she came in alone, in tears. “The sleeping pill worked fine,” she sobbed, “but now he wets the bed.” “That only means the pill’s too strong. […]
Episode 111: Living Mindfully with Linda Della Donna, Victoria Grinman and Bar Scott
August 4, 2017
On This show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley interview Linda Della Donna freelance writer, bereaved spouse of Ed and author of A Gift of Love: A Widow’s Journey. The Second guest Victoria Grinman LCSW, adjunct faculty member of Columbia University and the owner of Growing Kind Minds. She is an expert in healing trauma through Yoga. Victoria dedicates her work to her grandparents Raisa and Rubin Rozentsvit. The Show closes with singer, songwriter and author Bar Scott, bereaved mom of Forrest, singing More.
Dr. Edward Shaw: Alzheimer’s: Keeping Love Alive
July 6, 2017
Edward Shaw, MD, is dually trained as a physician and a mental health counselor. He was the primary care partner for his wife, Rebecca, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2007 and died after a nine-year battle. Dr. Shaw is the co-author of “Keeping Love Alive As Memories Fade: The Five Love Languages and the Alzheimer’s Journey. http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/06112821/Edward-Shaw.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Spring: Memories of Love, a Chance for New Growth
June 5, 2017
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming.” ― Pablo Neruda Spring rain brings May flowers This was my partner Kim’s favorite time of year. I watch her child-like actions as the flowers bloom and the trees bud. She knew the names of them all, closing her eyes while taking a deep breath, naming each fragrance as she exhaled again, like a little one in a candy store. She was in awe and amazement as if it were her first time experiencing spring’s natural wonders. Quite the Gardener she was The flower beds tended […]
Cheryl Lankford: Empowering The Bereaved
April 6, 2017
Cheryl Lankford’s husband, Command Sgt. Major Jonathan Miles Lankford, served 23 years in the Army. At the time of his death, CSM Lankford was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, with the Army’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit. Cheryl is actively involved with TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), helping other bereaved military families. http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/04083937/Cheryl-Lankford.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Blessing
February 14, 2017
Not long before Joanne, my wife, died, she told me she expected me to love again. She said it would “not be right to waste all the lessons we’d learned,” and I was “too young” never to love again. When I replied that I couldn’t imagine any love ever being as good as ours, she replied, “maybe it will be better.” She was bedridden by then, disabled by multiple myeloma, and we spent most of our time in her room, talking, cuddling, and receiving visitors. This was after I’d taken a leave from my therapy practice so I had lots […]
‘Do You Cook for Yourself?’: How to Remember a Loving Husband
January 7, 2017
“Do you cook for yourself?” a new acquaintance asks me. I smile to myself. She has no idea. She has opened the door wide. I begin: “No, I do not cook. My husband did everything with joy and skill for the entire time of our marriage.” I have one subject that fills my soul: the loss of my husband two-plus years ago. But I have to be careful to make sure I catch the opening. If the listener zones out or judges me as bragging or fabricating, I cannot begin the story. The telling requires a soft landing, a space […]
My Second Chapter: Life, Marriage, Family
January 4, 2017
Many people ask me, What’s it really like being re-married? My widow(er) friends want to know if I’m as happy as I was in my first marriage, if I compare my two husbands, why I’d risk being a widow again, and most importantly, if my new husband is understanding. Can you talk about James with him? Is he jealous? My other, non-widow, friends want to know if I’m happy and if I ever think about James anymore (that is, the friends who aren’t uncomfortable acknowledging his death). If we throw my writing into the conversation: Do you think your articles about James […]
Joanne Moore: Spouse Loss, Living in a New Way
December 15, 2016
When Dr. Moore was widowed, she sought mentors for living in a new way. She was inspired by the stories of more experienced widows and widowers. This prompted her to found the magazine, Pathfinder: A Companion Guide for the Widow/er’s Journey, and Right After the Loss of a Spouse: What’s Next?
