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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Sister Unloads Grief Years After Brother’s Suicide
August 7, 2013
I was a sweet, blue-eyed seven-year-old girl watching The Parent Trap while my big brother was babysitting. He got me a cup of water after asking if there was anything I needed. Little did I know my answer should have been, “I need my big brother.” Only minutes later I heard a heart-stopping, deafening boom. I sat there, frozen. What was that? My blonde hair on the back of my neck was standing up, and my ears were ringing. The terrifying noise was the gun my brother used to take his own life. Thirteen years later, that emotionally scarred little […]
Dorothy Foltz-Gray: Loss of a Twin
August 1, 2013
Dorothy Foltz-Gray is the author of five books including With and Without Her: A Memoir of Being and Losing a Twin. A winner of the Tennessee Arts Commission Poetry Fellowship and other awards, she has written for magazines such as O — The Oprah Magazine; Bon Appetit; More; and Real Simple. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2013/07/Dorothy-Foltz-Gray_02.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A Haunting Disturbance: A Poem
July 15, 2013
Maybe I’ll always be tortured by loud noises The sudden silence after it echoes through the trees Maybe my skin will always develop goosebumps As I hear the little girl inside of me Soundlessly scream—no, no more—please. The emptiness that is momentarily formed in my heart Soon fills with dread From the conclusion of the beginning That plays like a horror movie inside my pounding head. Maybe my muscles will always tense When I hear a noise similar to what ended a living But if that’s the one more piece of evidence That proves my heart is still beating Though […]
Poem: Eleven Years
July 2, 2013
Eleven Years My love for you is unconditional However, so is my anger And I have waited eleven years For this devastation to be over But it has only just begun: The torture that makes me want to scream— And I just want to run away From this awfully dreadful scheme. Oh, how badly I wish you could redeem yourself And I’m sorry, but you took that chance away And whatever path you decided to take, You left me here astray. If only I can forgive you But forgiving you will make this true So I’ll pray for you to […]
Rebecca Guevara: Hero’s Journey Through Grief Transformation
April 11, 2013
Rebecca had a business career and was tentatively starting to enjoy writing when her brother, her only sibling, took his life. In grief’s tailwind she left writing, losing the ability to be her true self. Years passed before she believed it was okay to enjoy life. Finally she returned to writing and began teaching and working with writers. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2013/04/Rebecca-Guevara.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Erika R. Barber: Navigating Life Stages Post Sibling Death
March 28, 2013
Erika R. Barber lived the first fifteen years of her life as a sibling and has since lived as a sibling survivor. Following her sister’s suicide, Erika embarked on a life-long endeavor to merge these familial roles and discover her own unique identity. Her workbook, Letters from a Friend: A Sibling’s Guide for Coping and Grief represents one of these avenues to understanding. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2013/03/Erika-Barber.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 4: Bereaved Siblings-Grief Relief TV
March 18, 2013
Co-hosts:Gloria Horsley Ph.D. and Heidi Horsley Psy.D with guests: Alijah Marquez, bereaved sibling of Chris; Jason Stout, bereaved sibling and Outreach Manager for the Colorado Outward Bound, program “Heroic Journey for Grieving Teens”. Gloria Horsley Ph.D. and Heidi Horsley Psy.D. bereaved mother and sibling, are a bicoastal mother and daughter team who are experts on grief and related issues. The Horsleys record their weekly public access television show “Grief Relief” in both Palo Alto, California at the Midpen Media Center and in New York City at Manhattan Neighborhood Network. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other web-based support have changed the face […]
Episode 1:Handling the Loss of a Child”-CreaTiVe TV Award Winner-Grief Relief TV
March 7, 2013
CreaTiVe TV Award Winner “Grief Relief: Handling the Loss of a Child” with guests Patricia Loder, Dr. Ken Druck, Chris Donohoe and hosts Dr. Heidi Horsley and Dr. Gloria Horsley. Pat Loder of The Compassionate Friends discusses the Compassionate Friends and her loss as a parent, Ken Druck discusses the loss of daughter Jenna and the Center he went on to find, The Jenna Druck Center which serves teenagers and their families. Guest Chris Donohoe shares his gift of song and his story of healing after the death of his brother.
Barbara Allen: Shatter the Stigma of Death to Overdose
March 7, 2013
Barbara is a leadership coach, yoga teacher, writer and bereaved parent and sibling. She lost her son Jim, brother Bill, and niece Amanda to the disease of addiction. Her foundation, James’ Place Inc. serves to educate and offer hope for all who suffer this disease and all who love them. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2013/03/01-Barbara-Allen.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
