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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Everything is Gone In House Fire, Now What Do We Do?

Posted on August 15, 2008 - by admin

Tina H., Houston, Texas, asks: Our house burned down with everything we own in it. I feel like I’ve been orphaned. No surviving photos of our children or our parents. […]

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Five Strategies for Surviving a Divorce

Posted on August 14, 2008 - by Julia Sorensen

Counselor Julia Sorensen offers suggestions to men and women going through a divorce. Among other strategies, she suggests keeping a journal.

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When the Memories Come Without Pain

Posted on August 13, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

When I look back on our life together, there are many memories that are told and retold, and to me it seems further evidence of healing for myself and my children. The memories are there and fondly told, with a smile and reminiscent grin, without the pain that was once associated thinking of a loved one no longer there.

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Caregivers Do More Than Just Provide Care

Posted on August 12, 2008 - by admin

By Ryan L Malone In an assisted living environment, caregivers are often thought of only as “hired help.”  In fact, both short and long-term relationships with caregivers offer benefits far […]

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Family Caregivers’ Loss of Independence

Posted on August 12, 2008 - by admin

By Martha Paulson Today, every six seconds someone turns 62. Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it? As more and more aging adults start to retire, families at one point […]

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Faith and Suicide

Posted on August 12, 2008 - by John Pete

Having lost loved ones to suicide, I am deeply saddened and feel abandoned when the Christian faith I look to for support and comfort judge and condemn victims of suicides. While […]

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Poem: Walking With Andrea When Grief Shows Up

Posted on August 12, 2008 - by Fran Dorf

Poet/writer Fran Dorf gives voice to the experience we often have when we see someone who looks like a loved one who has died. It’s a haunting, healing reminder of how grief works.

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When You Doubt Your Faith

Posted on August 11, 2008 - by John Pete

Grief counselor John Pete is editor of Open to Hope’s Faith Blog at www.opentohopefaith.com. Here, he opens the conversation about how a major loss can challenge one’s faith

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How Long (According to the Media) Should Grief Last?

Posted on August 6, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

Psychologist Bob Baugher studied the way the mainstream media handles loss situations. He found a disturbing pattern of reporting that left the impression that people should “heal” and “recover” from loss — and fast.

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Learning to Live Again, One Step at a Time

Posted on August 4, 2008 - by Abel Keogh

When I think back to those dark days following the death of my late wife and daughter, I always return to an early January morning a week before my twenty-seventh […]

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