Loss of a Family Member

After Loss of a spouse

Find hope and support by reading, listening and watching stories of spouse loss and recovery.

Open to Hope Radio

Articles

  • Dating During Widowhood: Am I Being Disloyal?

    Posted on June 24, 2024 - by Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers

    Dating During Widowhood We often hear widows and widowers say, “I had such a wonderful partner that I could never be with another person.” Friends and family members who are also missing this departed partner often see this outlook as a badge of honor and courage, and so they encourage it. Obviously, though, these attitudes focus on the past, and can keep us stuck there. And the people who applaud singlehood don’t have to grapple with loneliness. What do you want your future to look like? If indeed you had a great partner, it means that you know how to […]

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  • How Long Should Grief Last?

    Posted on June 17, 2024 - by Emily Threatt

    How Long Should Grief Last? I was shocked one day when a friend of mine told me his employer spoke harshly to him after he returned from the three-day bereavement leave his company had given him when his father died after a long battle with cancer. He was understandably sad and a little distracted when his employer said: “Your bereavement leave is done. Now get over it and get back to work.” People, especially those who have not experienced the death of a loved one, can have unrealistic expectations based on their lack of experience or empathy. In these cases, […]

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  • Grief is Healthy

    Posted on June 17, 2024 - by Emily Threatt

    Grief is Healthy Grief is a healthy response. Being sad and remembering things you don’t want to can bring up tears and heartache, but things have to come up to help you heal. Some days the weight is so heavy you have to just lie down alone, and if that’s the case, just do it. Sometimes you want to read a book or watch a movie. If that’s the case, just do it. Know, though, that avoiding your feelings will only make them harder to deal with. Grieve for as little or as much as you need to. Only you […]

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  • Handling Your Own End-of-Life Planning: A Thoughtful Goodbye

    Posted on May 20, 2024 - by Kathleen Rehl

    Handling Your Own End-of-Life Planning Each of us will eventually have to confront death. My late husband, Tom, died in my arms several years ago. Less than two months later, my 84-year-old mother passed with me at her side. While I deeply miss their physical presence, I still have their love and spirits with me today. I will always be grateful for the support of friends, family, and colleagues during that difficult time. Grieving the loss of a loved one is never easy, and many of you may have experienced similar heartache. Amidst my sorrow, I managed the estate settlement […]

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    Widow Loses Confidence after Her Loss

    Posted on April 29, 2024 - by Kathleen A. Paris

    Confidence Lost Of the many things I could not have known about grief following the death of my husband, Matt, was how worthless and inept I would feel. It made no sense. I had been through the excruciating experience of losing him. Why did I lose my own self-confidence? I was no longer able to function professionally for a long time, a huge blow for me, a management consultant. Thus, I found myself also grieving the loss of my professional credibility. It didn’t help that I couldn’t drive at first—I was literally afraid to get behind the wheel at first […]

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  • A Letter to Suicide Survivors

    Posted on April 25, 2024 - by Kerie Boshka

    Dear Suicide Survivors: You are not alone. I know it feels that way, but I can assure you that there is help. I know you feel that no one can relate to what you’re going through, that your world is hopeless, and that your life will never be worth living. Sadly, I felt the exact same way. I’m not going to tell you that things will be okay. I’m not going to pretend what happened didn’t. And I’m not going to let you feel shame over this circumstance. But I am going to help you find hope in the midst […]

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    The Death of the Love of Your Life

    Posted on April 15, 2024 - by Jane P. Williams

    A Grief Perspective A grief perspective is personal.  It is an individual’s way of thinking about and understanding their own grief.  As grief is unique to every person and every relationship, our perspectives will differ from each other.  But sharing our differing perspectives may offer us new ways to contemplate our grief. Prior to retiring, I was a clinical psychologist who worked in hospital settings with individuals who had experienced trauma, been diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness, were dying, or were grieving the death of a loved one.  I had read and written a lot about grief. After […]

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  • After Husband’s Death, Dreams Must be Reinvented

    Posted on April 14, 2024 - by Christine Thiele

    Dreams Die with Your Spouse One of the hardest struggles I’ve found about widowhood is that the life you had before pretty much dies with your spouse. Well, at least mine did.  The hopes, dreams and plans that we made as a couple were buried with my husband. Every morsel of my being was changed because he is no longer here for me to love or be loved by him. At first, his vacancy left the obvious holes; no more him, no more seeing, smelling, holding, or sharing with him.  As time passed, more holes appeared: no one to help […]

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  • Cleaning Out the Closet of a Deceased Loved One

    Posted on March 13, 2024 - by Rachel Kodanaz

    Cleaning Out the Closet With the longer days of summer upon us, it might be the right time to tackle the organizing of your spouse/partner’s personal belonging. “Cleaning out your closets” presents a significant challenge for most widows – the overwhelming thought of going through your deceased loved ones belongings and trying to decide what do with the items is by far one of the hardest pieces of widowhood.  When referring to “cleaning out the closets,” it is not just the bedroom; it includes the home office, the work office, the garage, the basement and the pile of papers that […]

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  • How I Surrendered to the Grief of Losing My Husband

    Posted on March 9, 2024 - by Jennifer Hawkins

    The Grief of Losing My Husband On February 4, 2009, I woke up to find that my husband had died in his sleep from an undetected heart condition. He was forty-nine years old. I was thirty-nine. It was the biggest shock of my life. The first two hours were a blur of emotion, pain, fear, shock, and denial. The next two and a half years have been a lesson in living life much more openly, deeply, and presently. In the immediate aftermath of his death, I discovered I had two choices. I could either surrender to what had happened, or […]

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  • Widower Ponders What to do With the Ring

    Posted on March 6, 2024 - by Richard Ballo

    What Do I Do with the Ring? Eight months after my wife Lisa died of cancer, I sat in our bedroom staring at my gold wedding band, the symbol of our love and marriage that I still wore. I didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want my marriage to end after only 8 years, and the thought of removing my ring plagued me with guilt. Yet, I knew that I had to remove my ring. I had to admit that at age 40, I was a widower with two young sons to raise. My ring is a symbol of […]

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  • Five Years into Widowhood, Life Goes On

    Posted on February 20, 2024 - by Paula Ezop

    Five Years into Widowhood I still can’t believe that he is gone, and perhaps I never will.  And that’s all right.  I never thought that I would be alone, and in my mind, I know that being alone is the hardest thing that I will ever have to do.  If you have lost the love of your life, then you know what I am talking about. You confront the same unbearable pain and heartbreak each day as I do, and you too have loneliness as your constant companion. It has been five years since Eddie died.  My friends and family […]

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  • A Widower’s Christmas Wish List

    Posted on December 19, 2023 - by Herb Knoll

    From as far away as Australia to the British Isles, from Canada to Nigeria, the Widowers Support Network hears the cries of men who mourn the loss of their wife, their soul mates, their partners in life. They don’t ask for much, never have, never will.  After all, men who mourn are expected to “get over it,” right?  You know, be a man. Macho, if you will. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it was meant to be. It is said that to grieve, you first must have loved.  For without love, grief does not exist.  To have loved is among […]

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  • Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating

    Posted on June 17, 2024 - by Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers

    Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating, by Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Frank Powers In Open to Love, two therapists share their personal and professional stories of love and romance after fifty. Whether it’s dating after divorce, loss, or just in your later years, Gloria Horsley and Frank Powers show readers how to face their fears about getting back in the game and help them find love by identifying what they truly need in a partner. In the world of online connection and dating apps, finding yourself being single can feel intimidating, especially when it’s been a while. Open to […]

  • Moving Forward on Your Own: A Financial Guidebook for Widows, by Kathleen Rehl

    Posted on May 20, 2024 - by Kathleen Rehl

    Moving Forward on Your Own: A Financial Guidebook for Widows: Rehl, Ph.D., CFP, Kathleen M.: 9780984579303: Amazon.com: Books, by Kathleen M. Rehl  

Open to Hope TV

  • Episode 219: Mens Journey Through Grief

    Posted on June 10, 2024 - by admin

    Listen to four men speak very candidly about the different untimely losses in their lives, and how they took this often tumultuous journey through grief. Join hosts, Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Stephen Panus, Warren Kozak, Jon Lefrandt, and Johnny Sirpilla.. Stephen Panus is the CEO of Twisted Hair, a marketing and P.R. Agency. He wrote the book “Walk On,” after the death of his 16 year old son. Warren Kozak, has been a journalist for some of televisions most respected news anchors, his book “Waving Goodbye: Life After Loss,” was written […]

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  • Episode 217: Navigating Loss as Men

    Posted on June 10, 2024 - by admin

    While there are similarities among men who are grieving, there are also differences. Listen to how two men with very different experiences navigated their unexpected losses. Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Jon Lefrandt and Warren Kozak, as they discuss how they navigated their lives after loss. Jon Lefrandt is the Founder and CEO of Elevia, a text messaging service used to better serve grieving families. Jon comes to this work after the death of his father, which left him reeling. He is also the founder of For Grief, a multi-platform […]

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  • Episode 216: Grieving Voices; Journeys of Loss

    Posted on May 29, 2024 - by admin

    Is it possible to find hope again after loss? Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Abby Dart and Meghan Riordan-Jarvis, as they discuss their journey out of the darkness and back into the light after losing loved ones. Abby Dart has a law degree from Loyola Law School and is a member of the California Bar. Following the death of her husband by suicide, she entered the political arena, lobbying for better mental health care. Meghan Riordan-Jarvis is a psychotherapist and hosts the podcast “Grief is My Side Hustle.” She has […]

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  • Episode 215: Sudden Traumatic Loss

    Posted on May 29, 2024 - by admin

    Have you experienced a sudden traumatic loss? If so, get tips and tools on how to navigate this difficult time. Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Meghan Riordan-Jarvis and Abby Dart, to discuss what helped them after traumatic loss and what might help you too. Meghan Riordan-Jarvis is a psychotherapist and hosts the podcast “Grief is My Side Hustle.” She has written two books: a memoir called “End of The Hour,” about her personal experience with PTSD after the successive deaths of her parents, and “Can Anyone Tell Me Why: Essential […]

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  • Episode 214: Navigating Health and Wellness After Loss

    Posted on May 29, 2024 - by admin

    The death of a loved one can take a physical, psychological, and emotional toll on us. How do we navigate health and wellness after loss? Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter, Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Jeanne Jacobwitz and Meghan Riordan-Jarvis, as they discuss healthy ways to care for ourselves after loss. Jeanne Jacobwitz is a widow and board member at the W Connection, a nonprofit organization that helps widows. Jeanne teaches at Georgetown University in the graduate midwifery/women’s health programs and is currently conducting research on how bereavement can impact a widow’s health. Meghan Riordan-Jarvis […]

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  • Episode 213: Navigating the Challenges of Spousal Loss

    Posted on February 5, 2024 - by admin

    Dr. Gloria Horsley, Dr. Heidi Horsley, Dawn Nargi, Aliza Marlin, and Jennifer O’Brien discuss valuable tips and tools for coping with the loss of a spouse. Dawn Nargi, the Executive Director of the W Connection, offers resources for women rebuilding their lives after the death of a partner. Aliza Martin, a GEM volunteer with the W Connection, and Jennifer O’Brien, award-winning author of “The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal,” share their perspectives on coping after the loss of a spouse.

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  • Episode 212: Embracing Hope Anew After Multiple Losses

    Posted on January 22, 2024 - by admin

      Discover hope amidst multiple losses with insights from Dr. Gloria Horsley, Dr. Heidi Horsley, Jennifer O’Brien, and Dr. Barbara Hopkinson. Explore their personal journeys of overcoming the initial belief that finding hope was impossible. Jennifer O’Brien, author of the award-winning book “The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal,” and Dr. Barbara Hopkinson, founder of “A Butterfly’s Journey,” a non-profit focusing on resilience after loss, share their experiences of ultimately finding hope despite initial doubts.

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  • Episode 211: Exploring the Challenges and Joys of Dating After Grief

    Posted on January 16, 2024 - by admin

    Are you considering the prospect of dating after experiencing a loss? Join Dr. Gloria Horsley, her fiancée Dr. Frank Powers, and their guests Dawn Nargi, Aliza Martin, and Dr. Barbara Hopkinson for an open discussion about the challenges and positives of dating after loss. Dawn Nargi, the Executive Director of the W Connection, focuses on providing resources for women to rebuild their lives following the death of a partner. Aliza Martin serves as a GEM volunteer with the W Connection, while Dr. Barbara Hopkinson is the founder of “A Butterfly’s Journey,” a non-profit organization dedicated to resilience after loss.

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  • Episode 210: Developing Passion and Purpose After Loss

    Posted on December 21, 2023 - by admin

    Does it feel impossible to develop passion and purpose after loss? Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Elizabeth Coplan, Ken Ross, and Claudia Coenen to discuss how they eventually found passion and purpose after loss. Elizabeth Coplan turned her personal loss into the groundbreaking play cycle Grief Dialogues. Ken Ross is the son of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and serves as the founder and President of the EKR Foundation. Claudia Coenen is the author of the acclaimed book, Seasons of Grief: Creative Interventions to Support Bereaved People.

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  • Episode 209: Finding Hope After an Anticipated Loss

    Posted on December 20, 2023 - by admin

    What is unique about anticipated loss and how does one find hope again? Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Ken Ross, Elizabeth Coplan, and Jennifer O’Brien to discuss their experience with anticipated loss. Ken Ross is the son of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and serves as the founder and President of the EKR Foundation. Elizabeth Coplan turned her personal loss into the groundbreaking play cycle Grief Dialogues. Jennifer O’Brien is the author of, the award-winning book, The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal.

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  • Episode 208: From Grief to Dating

    Posted on December 14, 2023 - by admin

    After the loss of a partner does it feel like you will never find love again?  Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her fiancée Dr. Frank Powers, along with their guests Claudia Coenen and Jennifer O’Brien to discuss the first steps you take once you are ready to date after a loss.  Claudia Coenen is the author of the acclaimed book, Seasons of Grief: Creative Interventions to Support Bereaved People.   Jennifer O’Brien is the author of, the award winning book, The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal.

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