Category Archives: Opening our Hearts

Watching Gladys Disappear –The Pain of Ambiguous Loss

Watching my friend of 30 years disappear into the fog of Alzheimer's disease is like no pain I've even known
Posted on July 11, 2021 by Melissa Gouty

This is Melissa’s story as told by her. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief and, ultimately, to aid … Continue reading →

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“All Who Wander…” The Story of a Traveler Who Lived and Died on His Own Terms

"Uncle John" lived by his own rules. I think he wanted to die that way too.
Posted on April 18, 2021 by Kathleen Clohessy Editor-in Chief/SevenPonds

This is Kam’s story as told to Melissa Gouty. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief and, ultimately, to aid … Continue reading →

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My Mom Died of Alcoholism, Denial and Despair

Too ashamed to ask for help when her marriage fell apart, she self-medicated with alcohol until cirrhosis took her life
Posted on March 14, 2021 by Kathleen Clohessy Editor-in Chief/SevenPonds

This is Kathleen’s story as told by her. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief and, ultimately, to aid … Continue reading →

Posted in Opening our Hearts | 6 Comments

I Lost My Father Twice — Once to Dementia and Once to a Flawed DNA Test

My father worried I wasn't his biological son, and my siblings set out to prove it after he died. Their behavior broke my heart and destroyed my sense of who I was.
Posted on February 14, 2021 by Cara Olexa (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

This is Joseph’s story as told to Cara Olexa. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief and, ultimately, to … Continue reading →

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My Mother’s Hollow Final Goodbye Broke My Heart

My mother’s goodbye to my father broke a new piece of my heart; she didn’t love me or my father how we wanted, but I hoped until the end that she could
Posted on January 10, 2021 by Cara Olexa (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

This is Suzanne’s story as told to Cara Olexa by her daughter. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief … Continue reading →

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My Mother Died When I Was Seven

Her bowling ball was all I had to remind me of her, so why did I leave it in the desert?
Posted on December 5, 2020 by Cara Olexa (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

This is the story of Cara as written by her. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their grief and, ultimately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Opening our Hearts | 8 Comments