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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Kathryn Jean Williams: Messages of Hope After Loss
February 18, 2010
Kathryn shares about the many losses, loss of marriage, loss of a father and job loss and how she learned to cope and heal. Kathryn’s bio. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/11/Kathryn-Jean-Williams.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy
February 17, 2010
The words sympathy and empathy are often used interchangeably, and yet they are distinct expressions. In times of death, it’s customary to extend sympathy by sharing our sorrow for what’s happened. Sympathy cards are usually synonymous with condolence messages. When extending sympathy, we’re expressing concern for another’s feelings. Cards, notes, phone calls, e-mails, meals, and offers of assistance are all expressions of sympathy. But you don’t offer empathy, you feel it. Empathy is the act of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s trying to imagine, “How would I feel if this happened to me?” And it’s the ability to […]
Remembering Super Bowl Sundays With Dad
February 16, 2010
I am a huge sports nut. I love just about every sport, and growing up I tried everything except hockey. So I was ready to watch the recent Super Bowl between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. I remember that the Super Bowl was one game that my dad would sit and watch. He wouldn’t say much, but almost always watchedtogether. I don’t really think that he cared who won. But watching a game together still ranks as one of the fond memories of him. For that one day, I felt like my dad was my buddy, a friend. I hated […]
Poem: All Over Again
January 29, 2010
Traveling backward in my mind High on top of a mountain Kissing with tears in our eyes Life together had just begun. Traveling backward in my mind The many roads we’ve traveled Two hearts beating as one Never, ever to be undone. Traveling forward in my mind Always brings me full circle Knowing one day life will end But, a new one will begin. Traveling forward in my mind I’ll start all over again. With you, the love of my life My Best Friend. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, “36 Days Apart” Copyright© 2010 http://www.deborahtornillo.com http://www.authorsden.com/dtornillo
Poem: Forgive Me
January 26, 2010
You were tired Daddy, Weren’t you? Forgive me for insisting, You keep moving. You were tired Daddy When I asked you Are you dying? You answered with a smile. You were tired Daddy When my sister asked you Daddy, are you dying? Softening the blow, with a no. You were tired Daddy When I held your hand I squeezed, you tried Forgive me, you were tired. Deborah Ann Tornillo Author, 36 Days Apart Copyright© 2010 http://www.deborahtornillo.com
Poem: Days Before
January 24, 2010
I have never been one To accept what I see As reality for all to be. I have always questioned Everything I have seen As what if, and what could be. Mother, days before Entering the light You smiled with serenity. Father, days before Entering the light You fought with insanity. What if, I wasn’t there? Could it have been different? Is this what it is for all to be? Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2010 Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.deborahtornillo.com
Dad’s Legacy: A Lesson About Giving
January 22, 2010
One of the great things that my dad taught me is that it is always better to give than receive, that to give unconditionally brings true happiness in life.That lesson has stuck with me. I volunteer for a charity here in Metro Detroit called Yatooma’s Foundation for the Kids (http://www.forthekidsfoundation.org). It assists families who have lost a parent with anything from grief counseling to bill-paying It touched my heart that there are so many families struggling. I was called the week before Christmas by Kristin, one of the dedicated Yatooma workers. She needed someone to be a shopper for 1-3 families in the […]
Poem: A True Man for All to Behold
January 21, 2010
A gentle giant you were. Heaven’s blue eyes, and A handsome smile. Stories of past Written on your face. Poems of present in your heart. A courageous soldier You fought for our freedom. A loving husband and father. Hands of strength And, shoulders of steel. A protector of your kingdom. You walked your talk Always choosing the right road. A true man for all to behold. I miss you Daddy! Deborah Ann Tornillo Copyright© 2010 Author, “36 Days Apart” http://www.deborahtornillo.com
Grieving a Father and a Mother’s Soul Mate
January 21, 2010
As my mom, Patricia LaBean, and I placed our order for funeral flowers, on that day in May of 2008, she told the florist, “Fifty years ago July, I was here with my boyfriend ordering our wedding flowers!” It seemed like she lived a lifetime with her childhood sweetheart but it didn’t matter, it was all taken away in a moment’s time. We had no idea how to begin grieving the loss of my beloved father and my mom’s soul mate, LaVern LaBean (known by all as Buck). Our lives were shattered by his death. My mom’s biggest fear was to live by herself […]
