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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Carol Scibelli and Finding Humor After Loss
March 5, 2012
Author and comedian Carol Scibelli speaks with Dr Gloria Horsley about finding humor after the loss of her husband at the annual ADEC conference, 2011
Helping Others Helps You
March 4, 2012
Why is it that when we become widowed, we think we are the first person who has ever been widowed? We have a tendency to cocoon and not look around us to realize there are many others who have walked this horrendous walk before us. Our pain is so overwhelming we cannot imagine anyone could have survived. The truth is there are thousands and thousands of us who have been widowed prematurely due to illness or a tragic event, leaving behind small children or unfulfilled retirement dreams. We are often told the grief journey is an individual journey and you […]
‘This Too Shall Pass’
March 2, 2012
Just like everyone else in the world, I have good weeks and I have bad ones. This one…not so great: Sick kid, two trips to the ER, fear of going to my mailbox to find the medical bills that I know will be lurking in there at some point soon. To say the least, I have had a somewhat problem-filled week. There is only one thing that is getting me through it. And that is thinking over and over again, “This too shall pass.” I don’t know who said it first. I just looked it up on Wikipedia and it […]
Continuing Bonds
February 26, 2012
My husband of over 40 years died 3 ½ years ago. He still shows up in my dreams, memories, and musings although the rawness of the grief has softened. I facilitate a group at Hospicare of Tompkins County (Ithaca, NY) called “Continuing Bonds” for women who have lost partners and spouses. Many of the participants have moved on in outer ways—sold their old homes, moved to new locations, found new relationships, started new careers, or made surprising choices. While their new life is unfolding, their lost partner remains active in their inner world, persisting as a helpful inner voice, maybe […]
Disenfranchised/complicated grief
February 19, 2012
Even though I’m not a widow in the legal sense, I FEEL widowed! My long-time partner died six months ago. He was married to someone else, but we had an unbroken relationship spanning nearly three decades. Every day is a struggle as I try to process the gamut of unanswered questions, being excluded from the funeral service, a lack of understanding of the intensity of my grief by my folks/siblings, no opportunity to share memories/experiences with others. In a nutshell: my unique loss is not taken seriously. I really need to connect with another human being who has/is experiencing circumstances […]
Dealing With the Winter Blues
February 4, 2012
“I don’t feel good,” I said to my sister. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me or why…but I don’t.” The moment the words left my mouth, I had a revelation. I say the same thing, the same thing, every year at this time. I don’t know why. I truly don’t feel like it’s the post-holiday blues. I don’t feel like it’s that two of my kids’ birthdays are back-to-back within a few weeks of each other (which certainly has me a little sad…but in a very aware sort of way). In the beginning, I even thought it was the Superbowl […]
Carole Brody; Widows wear Stilettos
February 2, 2012
Widowed at age 40 after caring for her husband Mike, a police officer, in a two-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Carole and her young daughter were left in emotional and financial ruin. Carole Brody Fleet eventually left her previous career in order to educate and bring the messages of hope and promise to those who have been touched by the pain and challenge of loss. Originally intended as one book, Widows Wear Stilettos became a best seller evolving into a global support organization. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2012/07/Carole-Brody_01.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Allen Klein; The Healing Power of Humor
January 26, 2012
Allen Klein discovered the therapeutic value of humor when his wife died at the age of thirty-four. He now shows others how to lighten up loss. He is the recipient of several major speaking awards as well as the author of 17 books including The Healing Power of Humor, The Courage to Laugh, and, Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2012/07/Allen-Klein_012.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
