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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A Son’s Belongings Bring Longings

Posted on March 19, 2021 - by Fran Gerstein

Since my son Daniel died on February 28, 2014, the month of February has been rife with memories, his ghost popping up seemingly at whim.  His presence and absence coalesce, […]

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Hope Is Our Anchor

Posted on March 17, 2021 - by Elaine Voci

Storm is Coming There once was an old sailor who had been seasoned by his life on the sea to know that storms were a frequent part of the world.  […]

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Grief in the workplace

Working Remotely With Grief

Posted on March 16, 2021 - by R. Glenn Kelly

Angelica shared how she sat at the kitchen table with trembling hands as she gripped her laptop’s mouse. She was somewhat hesitant about clicking the “Join Meeting” button on her […]

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TCF Keynote

Finding Hope After Spouse Loss

Posted on March 14, 2021 - by Gloria Horsley

Hard to believe it has been five months since my husband Phil, passed away of a staph infection post back surgery.  Phil loved Open to Hope and all the wonderful […]

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What It’s Like When Your Newborn Dies

Posted on March 1, 2021 - by Ken Lefkowitz

The following is excerpted from the book, Weave of Destiny, by Ken Lefkowitz, published by Legacy Book Press. Available for sale at this link: Weave of Destiny – Legacy Book […]

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Creating Your Own Ritual for a Loved One’s Death

Posted on February 16, 2021 - by Neil Chethik

Excerpted from FatherLoss, by Neil Chethik. FatherLoss is available here. After a loved one’s death, we don’t always have the opportunity to hold a funeral. Over the past year, for […]

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Valentine’s Question: When Should I Start Dating Again?

Posted on February 11, 2021 - by Bob Baugher

Excerpt from the book Surviving Widowhood: Suggestions from Widowed People to You for Coping with the Death of Your Husband, Wife or Partner by Elaine Eggebraaten, John Hanson, Lori Keller, Tally R. Reynolds, Suzan Styer, […]

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Cooking with Love: My First Valentine’s Day After My Husband’s Death

Posted on February 11, 2021 - by Linda Freudenberger

He Was a Chef My husband used to say, “I cook for a living, but you cook with love.”  When our girls were 4 and 6, I decided to make […]

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After a Major Loss: So, Now What?

Posted on February 9, 2021 - by Greg Adams

Many questions compete for attention when death comes and life changes. Among the many, there is at least one question that stubbornly remains as the numbness fades and our awareness […]

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Viewing the Body: Does it Help or Harm?

Posted on February 7, 2021 - by Neil Chethik

excerpted from FatherLoss, by Neil Chethik, available here. Should you view the body after a loved one’s death? Immediately after the father’s death, one important question for sons was whether […]

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