Open to Hope Foundation, Palo Alto, CA Videos

Some days on the outside we appear to be functioning but on this inside we are bearing the weight of heartbreaking grief. Brooke Carlock talks about “The Difference Between Functioning and Grieving” in her article on Opentohope.com Brooke Carlock has been punched in the face by grief on more than a few occasions, but she keeps getting back up and hopes to inspire others to do the same. Read the article here: https://www.opentohope.com/the-difference-between-functioning-and-grieving/ #opentohope #findhope #griefquotes #griefjourney #griefquote #childloss #grief

A quote on the back of the Joyce Carol Oates book, A Widow’s Story, says “of the widow’s countless death-duties there is really just one that matters: on the first anniversary of her husband’s death, the widow should think ‘I kept myself alive.’ ” When I read those words, I remember thinking, “I did that.” In the rush of life, there are many symbolic moments that slip by without notice. After someone you love dies, that first year is filled with memories which are too countless to describe. That year, the year of solitary firsts, is stitched into my heart. It will be with me however long my forever is. Continue reading this article written by Laurel D. Rund on the Open to Hope website: https://www.opentohope.com/after-husbands-death-a-year-of-solitary-firsts/ #widow #widowhood #griefjourney #opentohope #griefquotes #griefsupport #griefinspiration #openuptogrief #grieving

Grief is another form of love 🤍

Thank you @thecompassionatefriends for another amazing conference this year. This conference is so special to our team and we love seeing you all every year. May we all stay Open to Hope on our path of healing.

Good morning The Compassionate Friends conference! We are here and ready to see you all. Come by and tell us what brings you hope for a chance to be featured on Open to Hope 💙

The death of a loved one can take a physical, psychological, and emotional toll on us. How do we navigate health and wellness after loss? Join hosts Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughter, Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Jeanne Jacobwitz and Meghan Riordan-Jarvis, as they discuss healthy ways to care for ourselves after loss. Jeanne Jacobwitz is a widow and board member at the W Connection, a nonprofit organization that helps widows. Jeanne teaches at Georgetown University in the graduate midwifery/women’s health programs and is currently conducting research on how bereavement can impact a widow’s health. Meghan Riordan-Jarvis is a psychotherapist and hosts the podcast “Grief is My Side Hustle.” She has written two books: a memoir called “End of The Hour,” about her personal experience with PTSD after the successive deaths of her parents, and “Can Anyone Tell Me Why: Essential Questions About Grief and Loss.” Watch the full episode on Open to Hope TV: https://www.opentohope.com/episode-214-navigating-health-and-wellness-after-loss/

“Love transcends death” -Ram Dass We may lose the physical presence of a loved one on earth, but love goes beyond the limits of death.

At Open to Hope our mission is to help people find Hope after loss. We want to ask you, our community, what gives YOU hope? 🤍🩵 #griefjourney #griefinspiration #griefrecovery #findinghope #hope #grieving #opentohope #openuptogrief

After the loss of my husband of 60 years, I decided to write a book on widowhood. I never expected to fall in love again during the process. My new book Open to Love: The Secrets of Senior Dating is all about finding joy and love after loss. The book is available on Amazon and all proceeds will be donated to our non-profit, Open To Hope. We hope that this book inspires you to open your heart again, even after experiencing major loss, there is possibility to find love again. ❤️💛

Love and Grief exist together ❤️ Comment below if you feel this way

🤍🕊️🩵 Death ends a life…but not a relationship or a connection you’ve had with your loved one

Even in our darkest moments, there is always time for hope. 💫 Reach out to those around you, find a community of support, and together we can find the strength to look to the future with optimism. 🌱 Let's remember that hope is a beacon, even when the path seems unclear. 💙 From The Compassionate Friends/USA 2023 conference. #grief #griefjourney #hope #Community #BrighterDaysAhead

Creating a memory jar filled with precious moments shared with a lost loved one can give us a tangible connection to happier times. Providing comfort and solace during the toughest days. 🌟 #GriefSupport #grief #MemoryJar #HealingTogether

Whether you've experienced a recent loss or are still healing from wounds of the past, remember that healing is a gradual process, and it's okay to take small, meaningful steps towards recovery. 🌱 Try to recognize your need for self care, exercise, honoring your own pace and taking breaks when needed. Small steps can lead to profound changes in your journey through grief. You are stronger than you know. 💛 From The Compassionate Friends/USA 46th annual conference, thank you for sharing Steve Parker. #GriefHealing #SmallSteps #YouAreNotAlone #grief #GriefSupport

To all stepparents navigating the journey of loss, remember this: the depth of your grief is a reflection of the profound love and connection you shared with your stepchild. Grief doesn't distinguish between biological and step relationships; it honors the bond that was formed. Your pain is valid, and your role as a loving presence in your stepchild's life holds immeasurable significance. In this time of healing, lean into the memories that make your connection unique and cherish the impact you had. 🕊️ 🌻 #healing #griefjourney #stepparent #griefsupport

🌱✨ A gentle reminder that there's something truly remarkable happening within you – something subtle but profound. Amidst the whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and fears, beneath the surface of it all, your body is embracing healing. 🌿 Take a moment to slow down and sense it. Feel the rhythm of your breath, how it soothes your being and carries away the weight. Your body is orchestrating its own healing journey, effortlessly and perfectly timed. 🌬️💗 You're exactly where you should be, on this path of self-restoration. So, breathe, rest, and trust in the innate healing that's unfolding within you. 🙏🌸 From The Compassionate Friends/USA 2023 annual conference. #HealingFromWithin #EmbraceRestoration #HealingJourney #grief #selfcompassion

Loss often leaves us without a clear sense of closure, and though our loved ones are gone we can still celebrate the beautiful moments we shared. Remembering the laughter, the warmth, and the love we felt throughout our lives. 💕 In those moments, it's amazing how the smallest signs can bring comfort. A gentle breeze, a familiar song, or a fleeting memory – almost like whispers from our loved ones, reminding us that they're still with us in spirit. 🕊️✨ Though we may not see them, their presence is felt in the kindness we show, the lessons they taught us, and the way they shaped our lives. As we navigate this journey of grief, let's hold onto those cherished memories and keep our hearts open to the signs that remind us they're still looking out for us. Finding reassurance that their love continues to guide us, even in their absence. 🌟🌈

It can be easy to carry the weight of self-blame and guilt in grief. You may find yourself wondering, "How can I forgive myself?" We tend to be our harshest critics, even though our loved ones would offer nothing but compassion if they could. 🕊💕Try writing a letter or speaking aloud to your lost loved one. Remember, they cherished us for who we are, flaws and all. If they could return for just a fleeting moment, they'd tell us that it's OK. If we can offer ourselves the same compassion that a loved one would, we take a step on the journey of healing. 🌼 #GriefJourney #healing #forgiveness

🌻 Building Your Grief Toolbox: Embracing Light from Within 🌈 Start small, celebrating each victory—rising from bed, nourishing your body, connecting with loved ones. 🌅💞 Expand your toolbox: weave in meditation, deep breaths—tools that mend from within. 🧘‍♀️🌬️ These tools work together to help you live not in the darkness of your loved one's death, but in the radiance of their life. 🌻🌿 #Grief #JourneyToJoy #CelebrateLife #healing

Awakening the Healing Within: Sensory Experiences for Self-Restoration. 🌿 In the journey of healing from trauma and grief, our bodies possess remarkable inborn mechanisms that lead us back to ourselves. This clip comes from our interview with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Inviting us to explore the power of sensory experiences and activate the path to self-restoration. 🌟 #healing #healingtrauma #healingprocess #healingjourney #bodykeepsthescore