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.
SORT BY RELATIONSHIP
For those who don’t understand our loss.
February 4, 2012
My brother died unexpectedly on the 25.9.10. I am Phil’s sister. This was sent to me from a friend who was grieving for other reasons. I believe it was taken from an infertility web site. Grief, despite what type of loss has caused it, is universal. It can be lonely, and sadly not only do we have to deal with the loss our sibling, but some friendships as well. I wish you would not be afraid to speak to me about what is going on in my life, and to ask what you can do to help. If I cry […]
The Gift of the Blanket
December 25, 2011
When my son was born, over thirty three years ago, I received a beautiful handmade blanket for him. I remember the day I received the blanket. My sister, Sandra, handed me the wrapped box. I carefully unwrapped the box, lifted the lid and slowly folded the tissue paper back. There, in the box, was the beautiful hand knit blanket. As I looked at the blanket, Sandra exclaimed, “I made it!” I must have looked at her questioningly, because again she exclaimed, “I made it, really, I made it!” Sandra, who was murdered two years ago, wasn’t known for her domestic abilities, especially […]
Turning a Corner?
December 8, 2011
My sister, Sandra, was murdered. I say it, I write, I think it, and still, 26 months after her death, I have moments that I can’t believe it happened. I have moments that it still seems surreal. I have moments that I ask myself, how did this happen to my sister, our family. I did not witness the murder. I did, however, witness the murder trial, the conviction and the sentence. I know how she died. I know it was brutal. I know she suffered a great, great deal. I saw pictures, I heard testimony and I have a very […]
Tomorrow’s Promise
December 5, 2011
Mary Elizabeth Robinson’s book, Tomorrow’s Promise, is available at her website.
Sister Honors Brother and Herself by Recovering from Loss
December 5, 2011
A surprising secret about grief is it can become like a good friend, comfortable and routine. My only sibling, a younger brother, took his life years ago and for many years, I suffered like many people do. Grief was my life, and living well enough to appear okay to others was a great effort. But eventually I wanted a peaceful settling with sadness and freedom of spirit to be more lighthearted. Spontaneously I began more openly laughing with friends or humming while preparing a a picnic with my husband and son. On a dark winter’s morning, warm from a shower, […]
My sister was murdered(Domestic Violence)
November 23, 2011
25 June 2010 was a horrible day for me. I got a phone call around 3am that my sister Marquita Ann Brown (age 25) was shot in the head. I didn’t know what to think…it was a Friday..her birthday was that following Sunday (27 June)…I figured she had probably been out somewhere partying. I didn’t want to believe that she was murdered. Damien Brown (already convicted) shot my sister in the head…killing her quickly (according to what the homicide detectives told us). My 5 year old nephew was in the apartment when my sister was murdered. Not sure if my […]
Sister is Gone, Her Legacy is Immortal
November 22, 2011
“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world, remains and is immortal”. ~ Albert Pine When I heard those words, I immediately thought about my sister. Sandra was a school teacher. She taught school for well over 30 years. She was passionate about her work, her students. The last 10 years of her life, she taught special needs students. Sandra was a kind, caring, a very compassionate woman. Just over two years ago, when she died, I remember hearing people talk about the things she did for others. The night of her […]
Aftershock of a Murder
November 13, 2011
It will soon be 26 months since my beautiful sister, Sandra, lost her life by the hands of a murderer. I think back on the last 26 months and all that happened, all I learned. I often described those months as a rollercoaster. Emotions and feelings were up and down, up and down. Lately, I’ve likened the experience to a personal earthquake. The day I learned of my sister’s death it did feel like an earthquake. The epi center of that quake was my core, my being. I was thrown off center, suddenly. Month after month, I felt off kilter, […]
Don’t Let a Loss Make You Give Up Your Dreams
November 5, 2011
If you had asked me after my brother took his own life if I held revenge or a need for justice in my heart, I would have told you no. I was too broken, my emotional core was in too many pieces, and most of my feelings surrounded sadness. I would have said such deep sadness cannot hold the anger necessary for revenge or to seek justice. But it was tucked deep inside me and it aimed at my own heart. What I was blind to was this: Just before he died I was really, sincerely beginning to push diligently […]
