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

A Sudden Death of a Healthy Man

Posted on August 17, 2007 - by admin

Hi, Ok i suppose I start by saying I lost my partner Michael on May 16th 2007 he was only 37 years old fit and healthy.I went to bed on that Tusday night late so Mick had been asleep for awhile then early hours Wednesday morning the twins woke me up they wanted a bottle so i got up to get them 1.On the way back to bed Mick passed me he went to the toilet and came back to bed.I was awake and he knew this but as soon as he got the covers up and got comfy I […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Five Self-Care Actions To Take When Mourning The Death Of A Loved One

Posted on August 15, 2007 - by admin

Grief is a highly distress filled process demanding enormous amounts of energy. It must be balanced with a daily self-care regimen that replenishes both physical and emotional energy. Otherwise, the result is eventual illness and increased suffering. However, self-care at the time of loss is hardly ever on the mind of mourners. Still, awareness of the need, and minor changes in daily activities, will play a major role in averting added physical and emotional distress. Here are five self-care actions you can take to balance the drain of the grief process. 1. Take a daily stress break of at least […]

Read More
Open to  hope

Poem: Going the Distance

Posted on August 14, 2007 - by admin

Life was tough So many challenges Just getting back on my feet again Fighting life head on Lost my dad, got up and fought again Lost my mom, got up, bruised, and struggled to gain my footing Lost my marriage…got up all alone Faced life’s challenges on my own And then lost my only child Was going for the ninth round Got that knock out blow To the heart I just didn’t know Thought I could go the distance After losing my dad, my mom, and my husband Thought I could make it Then dealt that fatal blow When I […]

Read More
Open to  hope

To Mandi, Debi and Jami and Linda

Posted on August 14, 2007 - by admin

Mandi, My heart aches for you and your family. May is so soon. Please be gentle with yourself. I found that I had to become protective of my energy since I had so little of it at times. Being a mother, I had been accustomed to always doing for others. But during this process, I had to give myself permission to be a little selfish. I also had to give myself permission to feel what I felt at the time. It takes too much of that precious energy to fight our own emotions. Find someone with whom you can talk […]

Read More
Open to  hope

My 4 year old son drowned in a town sponsored program

Posted on August 13, 2007 - by admin

Almost 4 weeks ago my 4 year old son drowned in a town sponsered rec program. He was found under the dock. They wouldnt allow them to wear life jackets because there were too many kids. The dock was shaped like a lower case h where the kids are only supposed to be in the shallow u end. I cant find the words or strength to move on. He was my best friend, His 5 year old brother was with him and had to watch the whole thing. In Massachusetts for every 10 kids there needs to be 1 lifegaurd. […]

Read More
Open to  hope

A poem for Michael

Posted on August 13, 2007 - by Abel Keogh

Michael, Heart racing, shallow breaths, the tears keep falling without rest. For you left me without a goodbye, softly in your sleep you did die. Feelings of regret,need and dispare, for you my angel i do care. Memories creep in awake or asleep, these are the little things i will keep. Until we meet again my heart will ache, but i will stay strong for our kids sake. Love you Mick xxxxx Jodie

Read More
Open to  hope

Poem: For Michael

Posted on August 13, 2007 - by admin

Michael, Heart racing, shallow breaths, the tears keep falling without rest. For you left me without a goodbye, softly in your sleep you did die. Feelings of regret, need and despair, for you my angel, I do care. Memories creep in awake or asleep, these are the little things I will keep. Until we meet again my heart will ache, but i will stay strong for our kids sake. Love you Mick xxxxx Jodie

Read More
Open to  hope

I lost my son, Dylan on May 21

Posted on August 10, 2007 - by admin

My son Dylan was died on May 21, 2007. He was hit by a 4?4 truck driven by a so-called friend the night before. I can not actually believe that he is really gone. I still think he will come walking through the door at some point. The past 2 weeks, I am starting to come out of the fog that hit once he died. I am now realizing the fog was the easy part?.now that it is fading reality is setting in. A reality I am not sure I can handle. Everyone says how strong I am, but on […]

Read More
Open to  hope

How Do You Mourn An Ex-Spouse?

Posted on August 9, 2007 - by Abel Keogh

My first wife died several weeks ago. We were married almost thirty years, we have four kids and four grandsons, and we were divorced four years ago. Donna was sick for many years, and her body finally gave out. As sad as it was, it was also a relief. As I am fond of saying, The Angel of Death is not always an enemy, and in this case it was true. But as difficult as the last years might have been between us, her death created new and wrenching dilemmas for me and the kids. I know nobody wants to […]

Read More
Open to  hope

How Do You Mourn An Ex-Spouse?

Posted on August 9, 2007 - by admin

My first wife died several weeks ago. We were married almost thirty years, we have four kids and four grandsons, and we were divorced four years ago.? Donna was sick for many years, and her body finally gave out. As sad as it was, it was also a relief. As I am fond of saying, The Angel of Death is not always an enemy, and in this case it was true. But as difficult as the last years might have been between us, her death created new and wrenching dilemmas for me and the kids.

Read More