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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Michelle Clare: How Loved Ones Still Speak to Us
December 9, 2021
Do you have questions regarding signs and connections from your deceased loved ones? Join Dr’s Gloria and Heidi Horsley and their guest Michelle Clare, Certified Medium, Angel Intuitive, Spiritual Coach and Energetic Healer for a message of unconditional love and hope which surpasses our earthly life. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Michelle-Clare-How-Loved-Ones-Still-Speak-to-Us.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Re-imagining the Advent Candles
November 27, 2021
Re-imagining the Advent Candles During the season of Advent 2003, I was eight months pregnant with our son Mack, who was born January 16, 2004. Our daughter, Izzy, had just turned six and was dressed as an angel. She had just participated in the Christmas Eve children’s pageant at our church. She leaned against me drawing on a Little Episcopalians notepad. Gold tinsel from her halo tickled my nose, and we smiled at each other when Mack moved inside me and she could feel him through my dress. “That is so weird, Mamma!” she giggled and my husband, Christian, smiled. […]
Messages from My Deceased Son
November 17, 2021
Messages from My Deceased Son At the age of thirty-five, my son chose to end his life here on earth. Here was the first of my messages from my deceased son: “I, Jonathan Hershey Beck, decided the time has come for me to die. I am doing this because there is nothing left for me . . . I do not want a new job. I do not want to move to a new city. I do not want new friends. I am ready to move on beyond this human form to whatever exists after . . . I am […]
Master Class in Helplessness: When a Child Gets Cancer
November 1, 2021
A Master Class in Helplessness I was talking with my wife not long ago, and I shared that I had been talking with someone the childhood cancer world. In my previous conversation, I had described that experience as a “masterclass in helplessness.” My wife looked at me and said, “There’s your next essay.” And not for the first time, she was exactly right. One of those days in the childhood cancer world, I was on the inpatient unit talking with one of the many impressive-as-all-get-out nurses. We were going through a rough patch of newly diagnosed patients, relapses, and deaths. […]
From Despair to Hope: A Survival Guide for Bereaved Parents, by Linda Zelik
November 1, 2021
Written by a mother who lost a son, FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE offers help, hope and guidance to those facing the crippling emotions that come with the loss of a child of any age. The author combines suggestions gained from personal experience as well as advice from other parents and experts in their fields. This helpful information is presented in an easy to follow self-help format. The book includes how to handle challenging issues such as marriage, younger children, and special days. The difficult circumstance of suicide is discussed, including how to help siblings after the tragedy. Twenty-six short, concise […]
The Gifts from Losing You
October 28, 2021
The concept of finding meaning in life while living with tragedy sparked something in me and opened me up to the possibility there could be some gifts and blessings that might arise from our trauma of losing Patrick. In the beginning, it can feel wrong to give ourselves permission to feel anything other than total despair and heartbreak over the loss of our loved one. We think we must stay in the sadness to honor our love. Rediscovering joy and acknowledging the gifts does not mean we love them any less. On the contrary, they want us to rise up […]
Sally Ponzio: A Song Of Healing
October 28, 2021
Have you found comfort and healing in music? If so, join Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi and Sallyann Ponzio for the inspiring story of how her deceased son’s words were used to create a song of wisdom and comfort. The entire song can be heard on YouTube. https://youtu.be/V9f_Yt1PFFM https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Sally-Ponzio-A-Song-Of-Healing.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Recognizing Signs From the Afterlife
October 25, 2021
Recognizing Signs From the Afterlife Some may say that the idea of recognizing signs from the afterlife is paranormal, metaphysical or just plain crazy. I used to be one of those people, until I lost my 24-year-old son. My thinking changed as I began to receive multiple and varied signs, which were far beyond mere coincidences. These signs from my son have been an indescribable blessing which have helped me achieve peace and healing. I believe our loved ones remain around us in spirit form and use whatever means of communication they can to help us move through our grief. […]
Self-Care is Grief Care
October 24, 2021
If you had told me that losing one of my children was going to be on my life’s path, I would have told you that I couldn’t do it. Yet, here I was, somehow doing it. I had to learn that self-care is grief care. Without a doubt, my son’s death was, and still is, the worst thing I’ve ever had to endure. In the first few weeks, I began to feel depleted from having to get up every day and live the same nightmare. Self-Care is Grief Care No days were good; they all felt hard. I know for […]
