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Second
Annual Candles will be lighted at 7 p.m. in every time zone in memory of all children who have died, producing a wave of light that will encircle the earth. As candles burn down in one time zone, it becomes 7 p.m. in another, creating a virtual 24-hour memorial. |
Someone had an idea - "let's light a candle at the same time
to honor our children" and someone else said "let's
designate a specific time so TCF (The Compassionate Friends) families
across the country can participate." And then another someone
said "we can announce the candlelighting on the TCF web site!"
and yet another someone said "we'll ask our chapter to sponsor
mailing this announcement to all TCF chapters in the US."
It was that simple. And a truly amazing event took place thanks
to just a few people in different corners of this country with
an uncomplicated idea. Thanks to the TCF web page and the Tucson
chapter for the nationwide mailing, that uncomplicated idea of
just lighting a candle this past December 14 at 7pm to honor all
children who died made an impact on families around the world!
Once the word got out, the national
office began receiving calls and e-mails from people all around
the world expressing appreciation for this very simple event and
telling us that they hoped it was "OK" that they had
told their families, friends and local newspapers of our day of
remembrance. Then we got word that Growth House would donate an
additional four hours for a special "chat room" on December
14 that would coincide with the 7pm candle lighting across the
country.
From about mid-morning December
14th, e-mails and faxes began to pour into the national office,
beginning with an e-mail from New Zealand. It was still early
morning here, but 7pm in New Zealand and they let us know that
they had just lit their candles.
I planned my day of errands, shopping
and checking the faxes in the office carefully so that I would
be home in time to light my special candle at 7pm. Shortly before
7:00 I turned on my computer and entered the special TCF Chat
Room. What an amazing experience! There were dozens of people
there...parents, siblings, grandparents, friends of bereaved families...many
thanked TCF for the beautiful way to remember their children.
Total strangers were wishing one another peace, cheering some
on, offering support and suggestions to others. Others who were
experiencing their first holiday without their child were crying
out in anguish and asking. . . no, begging for help and answers.
And, just as it is at a TCF meeting, the understanding, patience,
and love that was extended to one another was sincere and heartfelt.
I kept my eye on the clock as I
read the many messages. At precisely 7pm I lit my candles. At
that exact moment an Instant Message appeared on my computer screen
which read: "it is only 5pm here (in California) but it's
7pm there. . . just wanted you to know that we are lighting candles,
to, with you so you don't have to light yours alone." And
then an instant later, the telephone rang. The caller was another
TCF friend who happened to be in the same time zone as I and let
me know she was lighting her candle as we spoke. People continued
to sign on in the Chat Room, messages continued to appear in both
my personal and national office e-mail boxes, and the phone continued
to ring!
One message simply said "Candles
are lit in New York City" while later a message from Los
Angeles said "the City of Angels is glowing with the light
of our love for our our children." And so it continued. Each
time I heard the Ping! sound on my computer (indicating another
new message) I got goosebumps! I was completely overwhelmed with
the number of people who participated in this very simple yet
meaningful event of just lighting a candle!
As the pinging! continued I could envision candles and light encircling
the world and at the same time a thread weaving from one point
to another as each person from different parts of the country
signed on. The thread wove itself east, west, south and north
and crisscrossed back and forth several times, creating a tightly
woven and most incredible tapestry. The design in this tapestry
radiates love. . . not just for our sons, daughters, sisters,
brothers, and grandchildren. . . but for one another, as well.
It's been more than two months
since that very simple idea by someone took place. We are still
getting notes and messages in the national office from people
"out there" who were so deeply touched by the event.
And you know I've thought about what my friend in California said
when he sent the Instant Message that night: "we are lighting
our candle now too, so that you don't have to light yours alone."
The message of our credo was never more evident than that night.
. .
Read about the 1997 Candle Lighting
Read the Senate Resolution designating December 13, 1998
as National Children's Memorial Day
