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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Melanie Warner: Topic-Defining Moments: Coping With The Loss of a Child
February 20, 2017
Melanie Warner is an author and speaker for over 25 years. She is the founder of the new Defining Moments book series that offer positive stories of hope and inspiration from people who have overcome extreme challenges in life. In 2005, Warner lost her son, which inspired her to write this book as a resource for other parents who have experienced the loss of a child. Melanie@MyDefiningMoments.com or visit: www.mydefiningmoments.com http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/20130510/Melanie-Warner.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Downstairs Thief
February 19, 2017
I had a vivid dream shortly after Mack, our son, died. I walked into our house through the front door and immediately realized that we had been robbed. I made my way tentatively through each familiar room surveying overturned furniture, shattered lamps. I noted the computers were taken, and the silver. But something inside assured me that they didn’t make it upstairs. On New Year’s Eve 2012, we cancelled our plans to meet another family at the First Night celebrations because Mack had what we thought was the flu and we were looking forward to a quiet evening by the […]
10th Anniversary: Tears at Home Depot
February 14, 2017
The 10th anniversary of my daughter’s death is a few days away. I thought I was prepared for this anniversary, but I wasn’t. Instead, I have burst into tears several times. My daughter, mother of my twin grandchildren, died from the injuries she received in a car crash. Six months later he twins’ father died from the injuries he received in another crash. The court appointed my husband and me as the twins’ guardians. A few days before the anniversary of their mother’s death, the twins were going to celebrate their 25th birthdays, and receive their mother’s legacy. To mark the […]
Harriet Hodgson: Raising Grandchildren
February 9, 2017
Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 37 years and is the author of 35 books. In 2007 four family members, including her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren, and the twin’s father) died. John and Harriet became the twin’s legal guardians and cared for the twins for seven years. http://media.blubrry.com/open_to_hope_1/opentohope.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06112911/Harriet-Hodgson.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Valentines Day After the Loss of a Child
February 1, 2017
How can you heal after the loss of a child? This is the hot topic on a special webinar of the Open to Hope Foundation, featuring Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley interviewing Dr. Bob Baugher. He teaches grief and loss at Highline Community College, is an author at Open to Hope, and has also authored a number of books on grief, loss, and particularly child loss. Healing can be especially troubling on holidays, including Valentine’s Day. Deconstructing “behind the scenes” can help immensely. For example, Valentine’s Day is always associated with hearts, so asking yourself “Who do I hold in […]
A Candy Heart: When ‘Celebrating’ Doesn’t Seem Right
January 29, 2017
Valentine’s Day. Another day to feel my loss more deeply? Why do these celebrations continue to come up to remind me of my loss? To have others enjoy when I don’t seem to rise to the occasion. To send a Valentine’s Day card when I have lost my son? Can I celebrate the day and not betray his memory? Not cause extra grieving for for me. For him? Perhaps if we define the word celebrate, that might give me some answer. So what does it mean? Some of its meaning is to rejoice, to commemorate, to mark an event. What can […]
Episode 99: Stacey and Steve Parker and Radha Stern on Grief: Do You Ever Get Over It?
January 6, 2017
Wondering how long it takes and will I over get it? On this show Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley and Alan Pedersen Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends explore with bereaved parents Stacey and Steve Parker and Radha Stern their grief journey from despair to hope. Radha is the author of Grief Prints: A Practical Guide For Supporting a Grieving Person.
One Mother’s Grief: Embracing ‘Fierce Growth’
January 6, 2017
A lightning bolt ripped through me and froze my being as I listened to the piercing words of my friend. “Your daughter has been in a bike accident. She died.” I felt everything and I felt nothing. The grieving started with a pattern of feeling split wide open, raw, bleeding; then followed moments of nothing and yet constant pressure and pain. I fell to pieces, shattered. I became despondent and detached, staring at ceilings, walls, and floors. I lost my appetite, and wanted to disappear. Her 20 years were not enough. I began to increase my times of meditation and […]
Episode 98: Dr. Jason Stroller and Dr. Matthew McKay: Exploring The Invisible Universe
January 5, 2017
Where do we go what happens after death? On this show Dr. Gloria and Alan Pedersen Executive Director of The Compassionate Friends explore the invisible universe with two bereaved dads Dr. Jason Stroller author of My Life After Life Matthew McKay Ph.D. author of Seeking Jordan regarding their books written in collaboration with their deceased son’s across the abyss of life and death. Alan Pedersen Sings
