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 7,000 articles written by our Open to Hope authors.

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Even After Death, He’s ‘Still With Us’

Posted on June 24, 2023 - by Brandi Reyna

Still With Us As I walked across the stage to get my degree, I told myself “You are still with me.” As I begin the start of a new year, […]

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Is Grieving a Denial of God?

Posted on June 23, 2023 - by Brandi Reyna

Grieving the loss of your loved one does not mean that you have lost your faith or gone astray. Deep grief means you loved deeply, and that is not a […]

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Father’s Day After a Daughter Has Died

Posted on June 18, 2023 - by Lo Anne Mayer

Father’s Day After a Daughter Has Died Father’s Day in our house is a mixed blessing.  Even though some of our six children and 13 grandchildren will come to celebrate, […]

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When a Couple Grieves Differently: After a Child Dies

Posted on June 15, 2023 - by Sherry Cassedy

Mom and Dad Grieve Differently The death of a child is a devastating loss for anyone; it is even more difficult for a marriage. For the marriage to survive, both […]

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Prayer for an Empty Chair

Posted on June 13, 2023 - by Brandi Reyna

Dear Empty Chair, We hold a place for you, Where you used to be, As we glance over and remember what used to be. The memories we cherish fondly and […]

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Father’s Death Triggers Grief of Sibling-Loss

Posted on June 5, 2023 - by Judy Lipson

Father’s Death Triggers Grief My beloved father Benjamin Lipson passed away in 2011, one week before the premiere of Celebration of Sisters, an annual fundraiser to honor my beloved sisters […]

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Guiding a Child Through Parent-Loss: A Mother’s Story

Posted on June 5, 2023 - by Dr. Carol Leibovich Mankes

Guiding a Child Through Parent-Loss Losing a parent is a profound and challenging experience, especially for children. The loss of her beloved father forever changed my daughter’s world when she […]

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Life Changes After Pregnancy Loss

Posted on May 29, 2023 - by Colette Kenny Verdes

In the midst of the pandemic, after giving up trying for a second child, I found out that I was pregnant with our daughter quite by surprise. I remember looking […]

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Embracing Mother’s Day without Mom

Posted on May 29, 2023 - by Dr. Carol Leibovich Mankes

Embracing Mother’s Day without Mom Losing my mother is one of the hardest things I have gone through. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. That day, I […]

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Understanding Compounded Grief and Ways to Cope

Posted on May 23, 2023 - by Jacqui Coombe

There are so many things to enjoy about life. Hand in hand with this enjoyment is the fact that there will sometimes be tough periods in life. These periods will […]

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