They Came and The World Lit UP in Memories

We Raised our Candles

for

the Children

as

dear friends

Jean Limongello, Patty, Diane and Rowena and Chris

of the local chapter of

The Compassionate Friends

once again

hosted many into the warmth of the evening

of

the

Compassionate Friends

here in Florida

with open arms

...

The room was filled

and

an old friend named

Paul

played that sax and sang his songs

as the room filled

and

folks brought photographs

wore t-shirts with their childs faces

and

the food was ample to feed their pain

and provide comfort

as the

annual event reflected events held across our world.

I imagine our globe LIT with candles

as

all around the world

folks were attending

The Compassionate Friends

World Wide Candle Lighting

and

also knowing

that people were lighting candles

in their homes

across the globe

as they

lit the paths

for those who are here

and

are

facing life without their children

"Precious Child"

all gone too soon.

We sat together

and

a woman named Diane

had once again put together a DVD that showed the pictures of those children

that were being remembered at the local Chapter

and

the photographs were so beautifully shown there

with their names

and

the music of

"Precious Child"

played in the background.

Diane's son Joe

was one of the photograhs.

The room was full

and

so many new faces this year

new photos added to the carefully put together

DVD

the littlest to the grown

the fun filled faces to the serious as well

each with a story to tell

and

all

"gone to soon"

but living on in the hearts of those there

to remember, to honor

and

to share during this holiday season

of their grief.

HOPE was in the air

and

it is the hope

that the flicker of light from those candles

will light the path

of each

as they left a little stronger

and as they felt the support of others

in knowing

grief shared can be halved at times

and

those precious children

are now in the

next place

and

life is indeed for the living

and

hOPE

faith

and

love

is only a heart beat away

...

Afterwards

I had the pleasure of talking with some there

I heard some of the wonderful stories of their lives

of their children

of the truly amazing gifts they have received along the way.

Some had remembered some things

that gave them peace during the evening together

that reminded them that there is

No distance

...

Some had profound losses

inlcuding their children, their parents,

their beloved 4 leggeds that were like children to them

in the last year.

ALL ARE SURVIVORS

and

are healing

with each breath they take.

I pray they will hold the light of the candles

that were lit

last evening

that they will hold tight to the

feeling that was theirs

when looking around that room

and

when seeing those

precious children's faces on that screen

and

the feelings of being together

and

the

power of connections that were made.

We are so much stronger when together

in presence

and

in knowing

...

Hearts connected stay connected always!

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.” Winnie the Pooh

I hope they will say those children's names

and

include them in the holidays

and

that they will remember

we are never stronger than when we ask for support or a hand from others

and

that

to embrace the light

and

to live fully

would be the best way to honor the memory of our children

after all

life is uncertain

and

we are here but for a short time

...

It was an honor to be with all last evening

and

at one point in the night

you could sure feel the spirits of those

that we saw in the photos

I sure hope the ones that were there felt them as well.

It's Monday friends

...

time to get your tinsel on

and

dance on the desks of your day

as I am sure our warrior

Joey is doing out there in the MidWest!

Walk In Beauty

DRSES

www.healingheartaches.com