THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 7PM LOCAL TIME, LIGHT A CANDLE AND HELP ENSURE THAT THE LIGHT OF A BELOVED CHILD MAY ALWAYS SHINE.
This Sunday, December 13 is National Children’s Memorial Day and Worldwide Candle Lighting.
Please light a candle to remember all children who have died. Candles are lit at 7 pm local time around the world. This is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world, and it creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who have died, but will never be forgotten.
Following is from the organizer’s press release and includes other ways to participate in this event. For more information including the location of services both in the U.S. and around the world, visit The Compassionate Friends or call 877-969-0010.
Tens of thousands of families around the world, grieving the loss of a child, will join together Sunday, December 13 for The Compassionate Friends thirteenth annual Worldwide Candle Lighting.
More than 500 services open to the public will be held in the United States including all 50 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
The Worldwide Candle Lighting is sponsored by The Compassionate Friends, the world’s largest self-help bereavement organization for families grieving the death of a child. The organization has more than 625 chapters blanketing the United States. The Worldwide Candle Lighting was started by a small group of Internet visionaries who recognized that a day should exist to honor the memories of all children who have died. The observance has grown every year and is now believed to be the world’s largest mass candle lighting. The candle lighting is officially held for an hour at 7 p.m. local time around the world, creating a virtual wave of light. Tens of thousands, unable to attend services held throughout the day, will light candles for that hour wherever they may be, whether alone or with friends and family.
Persons interested in participating in the Worldwide Candle Lighting, but who may not be able to attend an organized event have two additional alternatives. They can join in the Online Support Community (chats) on The Compassionate Friends national website. They also can join in a virtual candle lighting being held at 7 p.m. PST in Second Life, an online virtual community with more than 6 million members.
As in the past, chapters of many allied organizations are expected to participate in this year’s event including MADD, MISS, SHARE, Parents of Murdered Children, and BPUSA. U.S. services are also being sponsored by local bereavement groups, churches, hospices, hospitals, funeral homes, schools, and many individuals.
In addition, bereaved family members, relatives, and friends are invited to post a memorial message December 13 in a Remembrance Book on TCF’s national website. Last year several thousand messages, some in foreign languages, were received during the Worldwide Candle Lighting day from throughout the United States and dozens of countries abroad.
Please show your support this December 13 for families and friends who have experienced the death of a child, and light a candle to help ensure that the light of their loved one will always shine!
And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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Thank you!!!!
The death of a child (or any close loss) is so isolating. Joining with others is very sustaining. The holidays are very difficult – good timing for this.
Some thoughts on surviving the holidays.
http://nutsandboldts.typepad.com/chromosomes_cancer_kids/2009/11/the-holidays-after-the-death-of-a-child.html
Thank you for sharing your story and experiences Lance. We are very sorry for the loss of your children, and inspired by your thoughtfulness and willingness to help others while dealing with your own deep pain. We wish you peace during this holiday season. Kindest regards, Rose