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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About Your Room: Letting Go of a Son’s Belongings

Posted on February 16, 2023 - by Elizabeth Brady

Dismantling the Room Your blue camo backpack hung on the back of your desk chair with your Pittsburgh Penguins baseball cap on top of it for eight years. It was […]

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Grief Journaling for Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 12, 2023 - by Bunny Bennett

Grief Journaling for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day, like every holiday while grieving, is a difficult time to get through, especially after the loss of our “Valentine” or spouse.  All of […]

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Valentine’s Day and Grief are Connected

Posted on February 11, 2023 - by Kelly Grosklags

Valentine’s Day and Grief Valentine’s Day and grief can be a very tender combination. This is a commercialized holiday, and it has a strong presence in the stores, social media, […]

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Memories are Gifts for Grievers

Posted on February 10, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

What could someone else do to help you as you begin your healing journey? In the beginning, you probably had plenty of food, volumes of cards and a house full […]

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Valentine’s Day Triggers Mother’s Grief

Posted on February 8, 2023 - by Janice Bell Meisenhelder

From the author of  Surviving the Unthinkable: The Loss of a Child: Meisenhelder, Janice Bell: 9780979651120: Amazon.com: Books My firstborn, Melissa, was a hopeless romantic! She loved Valentine’s Day ever […]

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Husband Admires Wife’s Strength After Child-Loss

Posted on February 8, 2023 - by Ken Lefkowitz

This is an excerpt from Weave Our Destiny, by Ken Lefkowitz. This scene comes after the death of the second of two of his children, one stillborn, the other just […]

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‘Are We There Yet?’ and Other Grief Questions

Posted on February 7, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

If you took road trips as a child, you probably remember the question parents forever answered: “Are we there yet?” As you begin to regain your equilibrium after loss, you […]

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Communicating Your Needs When Grieving

Posted on February 4, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

“Call if you need anything.” You may have heard this well-intended offer, but chances are you never called back. Here’s a straightforward way to communicate your needs when grieving. As you […]

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Writing When Life Hurts

Posted on February 1, 2023 - by Beth Marshall

After losing three close family members in five years, I remember feeling overwhelmed as waves of unanticipated emotions would roll in like a storm. How long would this intense sorrow […]

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Feeling Sad or Being Sad?

Posted on January 30, 2023 - by Greg Adams

Are We Feeling Sad or Being Sad? Do you ever hear a story or a comment that really stays with you? It hangs out in the back of your mind […]

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