Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 43 years, is the author of thousands of articles, and 42 books, including 10 grief resources. She is Assistant Editor of the Open to Hope website, a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Alliance of Independent Authors, Minnesota Coalition for Grief Education and Support, and Grief Coalition of Southeastern Minnesota. She is well acquainted with grief. In 2007 four family members died—her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren), father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and the twins’ father. Multiple losses shifted the focus of Hodgson’s work from general health to grief resolution and healing. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. In addition to writing for Open to Hope, Hodgson is a contributing writer for The Grief Toolbox website and The Caregiver Space website. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at The Compassionate Friends national conference, Bereaved Parents of the USA national conference, and Zoom grief conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. For more information about this busy grandmother, great grandmother, author, and speaker please visit www.harriethodgson.com.

Articles:

Playing Hide-and-Seek with Grief

The church service had just begun and the congregation and guests were greeting one another. A friend, who knew four of my family members died in 2007, approached me and […]

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Always Counting: Anniversary of a Daughter’s Death

Today is the fourth anniversary of my daughter’s death.  I’ve been dreading this day for several weeks because it reminds me, yet again, of the finality of loss.  It also […]

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How to Listen to Someone Who’s Grieving

We had just gone to bed when the phone rang. The call was from a member of the ambulance team. She called to tell us our daughter had been injured […]

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The Tucson Memorial Service: Why did People Applaud?

Like millions of other Americans, I turned on the television to watch the memorial service for the victims of the Tucson rampage.  The service opened with music, as many traditional […]

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Giving Yourself Away – A Source of Comfort When You’re Grieving

My daughter loved Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving was special because she was born on this day. Christmas gave her a chance to give to others, even though she had little […]

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Six Steps to Regaining Balance After a Loss

After a loved one dies you’re overwhelmed with contradictory feelings. You have trouble sleeping and feelings you didn’t know you keep you awake for hours. At least, that is my […]

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Elizabeth Edwards: Woman of Grace

I identified with Elizabeth Edwards.  Like her, I had lost a child.  Like her, I was a book author.  Like her, I spoke to community groups.  For years, I followed […]

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Grief’s Linking Objects – Why Do We Hold On?

After my daughter died, I became acutely aware of the gifts she had given my husband and me. One year, she gave us a step stool for Christmas because she […]

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Avoiding the Victim Role while Mourning

Finding your way through the grief maze takes time, gut-level honesty, and personal courage.  Questions keep you awake at night and haunt your days.  Who am I now?  Will I […]

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Using Linking Objects at Thanksgiving Dinner

The empty chairs at our Thanksgiving table are increasing.  Four loved ones died in 2007 and, while the pain of loss has diminished, it’s still with me. My father-in-law, the […]

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