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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Dealing With a House Full of Memories
July 22, 2008
Barbara, Asheville, N.C., asks My mother died recently at age 85. I’m the only surviving child. She left a huge house full of “stuff.” I just can’t bring myself to do what’s needed to clean it out and sell the house. Is this normal? What can I do to get over the hump? Drs. Gloria and Heidi respond: First of all, we want to say how sorry we are to hear about your mother’s death. As you say, you are the only surviving child, so we assume that you have also suffered sibling loss. It is difficult to say goodbye […]
Nancy Sabonya: Stories of Loss, Grief and Hope
July 3, 2008
Nancy Sabonya talks about her documentary The Gifts of Grief. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2008/07/Nancy_Sabonya_070308.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
How Should You Celebrate the Anniversary of a Loved One’s Passing?
June 23, 2008
Anniversaries that mark the day our loved one’s passed away can be tough days.
You think about it weeks leading up to it–dread the day.
Your body seems to remember even before your mind.
Athletes call this muscle memory–
“Muscle memory can best be described as a type of movement with which the muscles become familiar over time. For […]
Lesley Mattos: Continuing Bonds Through Albums and Stories
June 19, 2008
Lesley Mattos shares her story of the loss of her father and the creation of Adesso Albums, albums to memorialize our loved ones. https://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/audio.opentohope.com/2008/06/Lesley_Mattos_061908.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Is Your Elder Loved One Considering Suicide? Warning Signs
June 17, 2008
Don’t think it can’t happen.
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Elder suicide rates?are up in the United States and it usually start with depression–also a major factor in the elderly.
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It’s a deadly combination–life debilitating illness, loss of spouse, career, a terminal diagnosis, medications all?exasperate the situation.
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But it’s not the way we want it to end.
It’s not the […]
What I Learned About Caregiving From my Dogs
June 17, 2008
Life lessons are everywhere, and I was recently reminded of what it’s like to be a caregiver?by my two dogs–Kismet and Rupert. Kizzy (short for Kismet) is an Alaskan Malamute?and her son, Rupert who is part lab. (She had a tryst in the front yard before we could stop her). Miracle was, she only had […]
Are Dads More Difficult to Take Care of Than Moms?
June 13, 2008
Author Carol O’Dell Discusses Dad’s Just in Time for Father’s Day
How Will You Remember Your Loved One?
June 11, 2008
We avoid thinking about or dealing with death at every turn.
Even caregivers who are caring for their aging parents try not to think about the inevitable end.
Cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, combined with age will eventually claim the lives of those we love. And sadly, by not fully anticipating and participating in […]
The Power of a Great Dad
June 10, 2008
My Daddy died at the average age men die in the US (78 years old), from the most common disease men die from–heart disease. Yet, Daddy was anything but typical. He was a big teddy bear of a guy who made my world right again.
I was adopted at the age of four years old–and my […]
