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.

Articles Home

Open to  hope

Widow Asks: Why Can’t I Cry?

Posted on March 10, 2009 - by Robert Neimeyer

Question from Phyllis: My husband of 54 years passed away one year ago and except for a few tears the night he passed away, I have not been able to […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Film Review: The Secret Life of Bees

Posted on March 10, 2009 - by Linda Pountney

By Linda Pountney — Multiple loss themes run concurrently throughout the movie The Secret Life Of Bees, based on Sue Monk Kidd’s novel, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood. Dakota Fanning plays […]

Read More
Open to  hope

11-Year-Old Son Lashes Out After Death Of Dad

Posted on March 10, 2009 - by Neil Chethik

Question from Margaret: My husband of 16 years passed away a little over 6 months ago. He was not ill, so it was shock to me and our two sons, ages […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Everything Seems So Unreal — Coping with Unexpected Death

Posted on March 9, 2009 - by Beverly Chantalle McManus

Responding to Ten Things Every New Widow Should Know to Survive, Jean writes:  I just lost my husband on 2/23/09. He passed away at the airport before taking the trip […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Is Six Months After Husband’s Death Too Soon to Begin Dating?

Posted on March 9, 2009 - by admin

Question from Mary: I lost my husband after 31 years. He literally dropped dead at work seven and a half months ago. We had been married almost 31 years and […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Let’s Go Fishing

Posted on March 9, 2009 - by Eric Tomei

One of the fondest memories I have with my Dad is the time we went fishing together.   I think I was about 8 or 9 and it was one […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Film Review: Random Hearts

Posted on March 9, 2009 - by Stephanie Frogge

By Stephanie Frogge — Some years ago, what began as date night for my boyfriend and me with a rented copy of “Random Hearts” ended with an unexpected discussion of […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Opening Grief as a Gift

Posted on March 8, 2009 - by Alice Wisler

By Alice J. Wisler — Some view grief as a dirty word. It’s associated with pain, hardship, suffering, endless days of crying and never seeing the sun. It’s hard – […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Film Review: Steel Magnolias

Posted on March 7, 2009 - by Yvonne Lancaster

Reviewed by Yvonne Lancaster — “Steel Magnolias,” directed by Herbert Ross, includes the cast of Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Tom Skerritt, Dylan […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Film Review: The Savages

Posted on March 6, 2009 - by Fran Dorf

Reviewed by Fran Dorf — Written and directed by Tamara Jenkins, The Savages is a nuanced, closely observed film about a middle-aged brother and sister reckoning with their guilt, responsibility, […]

Read More