The Open to Hope Community

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Open to  hope

Frankfort, Kentucky Regional Conference

Please join us for our Compassionate Friends regional conference March 25 & 26 in Frankfort, Kentucky. “Words of Wisdom, Hearts of Love” This conference is for any one touched by the death of a child. Exec. Dir., of The Compassionate Friends, Pat Loder wil be joining us as well as past President of the Board, Pat Malone. Artist, Alan Pedersen and author Mitch Carmody. We have workshops for those have experienced a death of a child in the line of duty of a police officer, soldier or firefighter, survivors of suicide, For Women Only, Creative Arts, Impact of child loss […]

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Open to  hope

Lost my soulmate after only 6 months of marriage.

This is all new and so unexpected. Wow one year you are preparong for the wedding of your dreams and the following year you are burying your new spouse. Is this a bad dream or what? The emotions are higher than a rollercoaster. I could have never imagined being on this journey. I am, one minute at a time as my emotions change that rapidly. Unless you are in these shoes, no one can ever understand what you are going thru.

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Open to  hope

Grieving With Help After Our Son’s Suicide

We were not left alone after our son, Joshua, died by suicide. People from across the states took the time to listen and some cried with us. It would take pages to mention them name-by-name, but because of who he was to Joshua, I’ll choose one. After Joshua’s memorial, when the hall emptied out and the doors locked, Dana, Joshua’s childhood friend, stood with my husband and I and asked questions. “Why do you think Joshua did this? What was his frame of mind right before it happened?” And other such inquiries. What Dana did from then on was stay […]

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Open to  hope

My Aaron

Thru the years we had our ups and downs. Then stigma people put on some for being addicted to drug is horrible. My son had gotten “clean” but then relapsed while with a “friend”. Things had gotten so GOD between us over the past year or so. We talked and laughed and became close like never before. On 7/20/10 2 police officers knocked on our door at 5:51 am with the horrible news. My son was gone, I can not fucntion as I used to I can not ever be the person I used to be. I miss my son […]

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Open to  hope

Losing a daughter to cancer

My beautiful first born daughter died three days before she turned 26 from cancer. She fought so hard for 14 months but the cancer was so aggressive and she lost her battle. Our family never lost hope and thought that God would answer our prayers and we would have our miracle, but it did not happen. We could never talk about death, just the hope that she would make it. I am having so much trouble dealing with this unbearable loss, I don`t know how I can ever be happy again and not have this sadness. I would like to […]

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Open to  hope

Three Things That Should Never Be Broken… Hearts,

As I walk into the extra bedroom at my parent’s home, I notice the little frame on the dresser. A small simple frame, it holds a note that is written in my brother’s hand. On the note is written: “Three things that should never be broken; Hearts Promises And Friendships” There is a large space between the words Promises and Friendships, a space that hints at uncertainty and deep thought. It’s a space that haunts my mind. I wish Brother had thought about that last choice more thoroughly. You see, someone who was supposed to be his friend killed him. […]

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Open to  hope

my mind keeps denying that my dad is gone

well i am 23 and single i used live with both my parents my parents had been married for 30 years and no matter how much they fought they loved each other like anythin, i mean they used to talk and talk all night still.. my dad was so good lookin and he used to look so young no one could tell he was our dad mum has been always ill and he has always been running here and there for her even he used to still do my and my sisters stuff like we were little kids, he spoilt […]

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Open to  hope

I miss you Kenny

My son Kenny died at 26 on this pass Thanksgiving Day 2010. Although he was a quadriplegic after being shot in November 2009, he was still here; at times he would smile, tell jokes and crack up laughing. I am so angry at the person who shot him, and never being caught, the nursing homes for not taking better care of him and myself for finding away to bring him home. After surviving being shot multiple time, we continue to pray to God for Mercy and Grace and a miracle. Why? But, I am so glad he gave his life […]

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Open to  hope

My Beautiful angel is at rest

Well i dont know where to start,My beautiful daughter was only 25 she commited suicide on the 1st dec 2010.She had spoke about it over the last few years on and off but on the night before she lay down with me and told me what her plans were,i didnt want to belive so off to work i went,after a couple of hours i had to leave as i just felt sick,i got home and i found her,i will never ever forget that day,it has been 80 days today and my god im struggling.I dont know what else to say […]

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Open to  hope

Breathless

Breathless A new day comes, and all I think about are the days gone by, the days that were once filled with your beautiful presence I am breathless Inhaling pain, exhaling sorrow. When the sun goes down it falls heavily on my heart, making for yet another sleepless night, full of anxiety and fear I dim the lights, but I can never put them out I am breathless Inhaling devastation, exhaling acute sadness My dreams are filled of you, so many images, memories, delusions and anticipatory returns of your beautiful self One, breath, less, is how my life feels without […]

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