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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Advent: A Visit in the Darkest Hours
November 12, 2019
During the season of Advent 2003, I was eight months pregnant with Mack. Iz had just turned six and was dressed as an angel having participated in the Christmas Eve children’s pageant at our church. She leaned against me drawing on a notepad, the gold tinsel from her halo tickled my nose, and we smiled at each other when Mack moved and she could feel him through my dress. “That is so weird, Mamma!” she giggled. Advent is the four weeks ahead of Christmas, which will be familiar to those from a liturgical church background. In the Episcopal church, the […]
‘Because of You’: Letter to a Daughter Who Has Died
November 10, 2019
Dear Katie, Losing you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. It broke me into a million pieces, but I knew you didn’t want me to stay in that dark and painful place. I decided that I wanted to live like you did. I want to live with passion and purpose and be the kind-hearted person that you were. You are my guide and my teacher and you have made me a better person. While not a day that goes by without some pain and sadness, you have have taught me more than I ever thought possible. […]
This is Your Life, Your Pain, and Your Story
November 10, 2019
Hope. When I ask those who are grieving what they need most, they say “hope”. They want confidence that they can get through the process, that they won’t be miserable forever, and they will be able to be happy again, although this can be hard to imagine early in grief. After I lost my son, I went to a support group looking for hope. Losing him had shattered my world, and I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know how to live without him in my life. I needed hope more than anything else. I forced myself out of […]
Getting Pregnant Again After the Loss of a Child
September 26, 2019
This excerpt is from Catherine McNulty’s book, The Gifts of Grief. “I wanted to give up the struggle and not try again.” Trying to get pregnant again after the loss of Jackson was a difficult decision. After all, why would anyone want to submit themselves to all the pain and trauma that we had just been through? We’d have to be crazy right? I guess I was. My desire to be a mother was stronger than ever. After all, I was still a mother; I just no longer had a son to hold and care for. Because of who I […]
Episode 174: Surviving the Death of a Son
September 25, 2019
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr Heidi Horsley interview Roy Davies, and Anne Castaldo about surviving the death of a son. Roy and Anne both serve on the National Board of Directors for The Compassionate Friends. Roy lost 2 sons, Roy Jr. died at 20 of an undiagnosed heart condition, and Taylor died at 15 of a rare blood disorder. Anne’s son Tony, died at 24 of a medical error.
Episode 172: Finding Support and Hope after Infant Loss
September 24, 2019
On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley discuss with Valerie Samuels, founder of A Mother’s Heart Ministry, and author of Always My Twin, and Nicole Alston, Founder and President of Ok2Grieve, how they have dealt with the personal tragedy of infant loss, and have gone on to find happiness and success.
Grief Coaches and Therapist Can Help
September 12, 2019
An excerpt from Catherine McNulty’s book, The Gifts of Grief. “You are not alone.” The intensity of the grief we experience is a result of the love and connection we have with someone else. Understanding that connection and how it relates to who we are is what matters. This is best done with a personal coach or guide. Whether a death occurred in your life recently, or you’ve been holding on to grief for a long time, I encourage you to go out and hire a Grief Coach. Finding a way to connect to someone who can help you can […]
Self-Compassion and Balance with Mackenzie Studebaker
September 5, 2019
Mackenzie is a poet, memoirist, dedicated yoga practitioner and trauma-informed yoga teacher to many diverse communities. She has a particular affinity and skill for working with teens. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in loving-kindness and non-judgment, and adaptive to all ages and abilities. Mackenzie’s classes aim to cultivate self-compassion, self-awareness, balance, strength, and ease. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Self-Compassion-and-Balance-with-Mackenzie-Studebaker.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Understanding Mother Loss and Anxiety with Claire Bidwell Smith
August 29, 2019
Claire Bidwell Smith is a licensed therapist specializing in grief and the author of several books about grief and loss. The Rules of Inheritance was a Barnes & Noble Discover pick and a Books for a Better Life nominee. Claire writes and speaks about grief regularly and offers online grief support in addition to her private practice in Los Angeles. Her latest book Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief is on shelves now. www.clairebidwellsmith.com https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/www.opentohope.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Understanding-Mother-Loss-and-Anxiety-with-Claire-Bidwell-Smith.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
