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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Kim Go; Creativity in Dealing with Loss
November 11, 2010
Kim Go is an artist, writer, expressive arts coach, and has trained with Zen Hospice Project. Kim is no stranger to loss. She lost her father in early childhood, had a near-death experience in adolescence, dealt with divorce, fertility challenges, and the death her soul mate and life partner, Brian. Kim explores our encounters with impermanence as frontier experiences that engage our resourcefulness and creativity. As one of our authors, Kim contributes to our Open to Hope family in a variety of ways. Click here to see her personal biography and articles. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2010/11/OTH_Kim-Go_09_27_2010.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Movie Triggers a Feeling of Missing the Old Life
November 9, 2010
Last weekend, we had a free movie weekend from some of the pay movie networks. I love this! I can watch all the movies I want and since I can’t afford pay movie channels anymore, it feels like such a luxury. Being a couch potato, I was looking forward to watching movies, a few cable TV series and just relaxing with my kids. So on Sunday, we were looking for a family movie to watch together. Marley and Me was one of the choices. My older son was worried about how sad it would be. I assured him it was […]
Widows: Let Love Win Out over Fear
November 6, 2010
Five years ago when my husband died in a cycling accident, the last thing on my mind was finding a new man to love. Horrified by the unexpected jump from wife to widow, I struggled to regain both my sense of self and my will to live. When I first was able to entertain the thought of marrying again, I would be rendered mute when asked to utter the phrase, “till death do us part.” Those four words mean something completely different to me now that I know what parting actually feels like. As my heart slowly recovered and love […]
‘It’s Not Going to be OK,’ She Said
November 4, 2010
Looking back on it now, the bright curve of my life turned gently downward after my daughter was born, fell sharply as my husband was diagnosed with a stage IV cancer, and waggled as we fought his illness for a year. After the second surgery, through the fourth and fifth chemo regimens, my line flattened into a basin. After he died, our hearts grieved the loss, and we struggled to adjust to everyday life. Caregiving and anticipating loss were, in a way, worse than the pit of grief. Adjusting and struggling for air in the year after his death were […]
Not Lonely, Just Alone
November 4, 2010
I’ve been feeling alone. Not lonely, just alone. I thought a new cell phone might connect me. A fancy ones with bells and whistles and sleek curves and soft touchable screens. I got bought her last week. She is my everything. My alarm clock. My calendar. My camera. My memory. My best friend. I even go so far as sleeping with her at night, tuck her underneath my pillow. She is just too little to spoon. I tried. Oh phone, what ever did I do without you? And she’s the smartest best friend. She can help me navigate through traffic […]
Handling the First Holidays After a Loss
November 2, 2010
Suffering loss of a loved one can be painful enough, but it is more difficult during holidays and special occasions. Missing your lost loved one is most keenly felt during these times. Your feelings are most pronounced when the event happens for the first time after the death, and, among grievers, these are sometimes called “The Firsts.” The “Firsts” You’re in the grieving process and Developing OK; But, things do change and you’re set back, When come the “special days”. For Christmas, anniversary, Or birthday…you’re aware; Such days bring floods of memories, You visualize them there. For any special fam’ly […]
Holiday Gift: Take Care of Yourself
November 1, 2010
The holidays are almost here, and you might be sitting there and wondering, “How am I ever going to get though this time?” You may also be secretly thinking to yourself, “There is no way that I can possibly muster up enough strength or energy to make this a happy time for my children. God knows, it certainly won’t be that way for me.” Take heart; these thoughts may only be partially true. Although it can never be the same as it was, it is possible for you to experience a meaningful holiday season. It will just be in a […]
Returning to Work After Your Spouse Dies
October 29, 2010
Returning to a job after a spouse’s death is a step that tends to be anticipated with eagerness, dread, or both, at different times. The workplace can seem like a familiar well-ordered refuge where you find many hours of distraction away from your pain. On the other hand, it can represent the ordeal of work pressures, coworkers’ reactions, and a boss’s unrealistic expectations. Here are some ways to make it through a work day while you’re grieving. Your Coworkers’ Reactions: While your private world has been drastically changed, your workplace has gone along in its usual way. You may, therefore, […]
