Open to Hope Articles

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Poem: I Used to Live in May

Posted on June 25, 2008 - by admin

I USED TO LIVE IN MAY
I used to live in May
brilliance,warmth and
laughter filled my days
I used to live in May
Then you died and went away
Now darkness,cold,and crying fill my days
I used to live in May
Come back,Come back I say .
For when you were here
I used to live in May.
written by Louise Lagerman

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How Should You Celebrate the Anniversary of a Loved One’s Passing?

Posted on June 23, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Anniversaries that mark the day our loved one’s passed away can be tough days.
You think about it weeks leading up to it–dread the day.
Your body seems to remember even before your mind.
Athletes call this muscle memory–
“Muscle memory can best be described as a type of movement with which the muscles become familiar over time. For […]

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Poem: Mom’s Thoughts

Posted on June 23, 2008 - by admin

by Amiee Kate Helms
A few of your possessions left to hold,
But the treasures true,
They lie down deep?
Deep within my heart and soul?.
Deep inside of Me?..
I see your face and you smile at me,
You tease to make me laugh?
I hear your songs? And your music
resonates among my soul?
While your words, ?I love you, Mom?
Echo? in every […]

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Poem: Oh the Lies I Have Told!

Posted on June 19, 2008 - by admin

No one knows the pain
That lies behind these smiling eyes
No one sees the tears that are
Buried deep within my heart.
?
Oh the lies I have told!
I am just fine I say.
When the truth is
I can hardly find my way.
?
While in my heart the pain
Grows and grows and grows
With the emptiness of loss
That no one really knows.
?
Over […]

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Death of a Boyfriend Creates Crisis

Posted on June 18, 2008 - by Jerry White

Six months is just pen point on a timeline of 52 years!!!! Yet those six months seemed like the beginning and the end of my life. Life began for me six months ago when I met Tom. Then my life ?ended? when he died. Six months out of a possible 25 years of enjoying earthly […]

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Poem: I Carry Her in My Heart

Posted on June 18, 2008 - by admin

Some people may think that I am insane
Those ones probably have not encountered such pain
The pain of losing a daughter or a son
And knowing that from this life he/she is gone
To wake up in the morning, day after day
And ask “Where is my daughter? Tell me, I pray”
Although I know she is in heaven above
Yet, […]

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Navigating Change

Posted on June 17, 2008 - by Ariane de Bonvoisin

Writer Ariane de Bonvoisin explains the importance of the first 30 days when making changes

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Is Your Elder Loved One Considering Suicide? Warning Signs

Posted on June 17, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Don’t think it can’t happen.
?
Elder suicide rates?are up in the United States and it usually start with depression–also a major factor in the elderly.
?
It’s a deadly combination–life debilitating illness, loss of spouse, career, a terminal diagnosis, medications all?exasperate the situation.
?
But it’s not the way we want it to end.
It’s not the […]

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What I Learned About Caregiving From my Dogs

Posted on June 17, 2008 - by Carol O'Dell

Life lessons are everywhere, and I was recently reminded of what it’s like to be a caregiver?by my two dogs–Kismet and Rupert. Kizzy (short for Kismet) is an Alaskan Malamute?and her son, Rupert who is part lab. (She had a tryst in the front yard before we could stop her). Miracle was, she only had […]

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Remember Loved Ones Forever with a Memorial Book

Posted on June 16, 2008 - by admin

Remember Loved Ones Forever
Create a Memorial Photo Guest Book
?Fill the Memorial Album with Cherished Photos
The memorial album is filled with photos that tell a lasting story about the lost loved one.
Have Friends and Family Share Their Memories
Have the album on hand or send it to friends and family members to view the photos and share […]

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