The Compassionate Friends (TCF) of the Oscoda Area held its 11th Candle Lighting as part of the 25th Worldwide Candle Lighting on Sunday December 14th.   As our 33 candles were lit inside and outside at 7:00 pm we were part of hundreds of thousands of people honoring the memory of children around the world who have gone too soon, creating a wave of light around the globe.

We began our celebration with Charlie Negro, Co-Leader, explaining The Compassionate Friends was founded over 40 years ago when a chaplain at the Warwickshire Hospital in England brought together two sets of grieving parents and realized that the support they gave each other was better than anything he, as a chaplain, could ever say or provide.  Meeting around a kitchen table, the Lawleys and the Hendersons were joined by a bereaved mother and the chaplain, Simon Stephens, and The Society of the Compassionate Friends was born. The Compassionate Friends jumped across the ocean and was established in the United States and incorporated in 1978 in Illinois. There are chapters in all 50 states.  Oscoda is one of 8 chapters located in Michigan. The Worldwide Candle Lighting started in the United States as a small internet observance in honor of children who lived tragically short lives for any number of reasons, from sickness, to accidents, to war, but has since spread through the world.

Everyone brought pictures of their loved ones that were displayed along with an candle for inside.  Andrew Moore played the piano during the program. We then lit five lights candles representing our grief, our courage, their memory, the light of love and the light of hope. From that two poems were read, dealing with grief.  The group then went outside to light candles representing our children, grandchildren, siblings, and other family or friends who are like family.  Once back inside we had refreshments and time to share our stories with each other. Everyone had the opportunity to take home a tree ornament and information about grief.