“I light a candle in celebration for all I know you would have been. I look into the light, feel the brightness of your spirit and the spark touches my heart….” This quote represents the atmosphere of the Candlelight Memorial Service held in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The River Region Community Action Team held the event at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts on Monday, October 15, 2012. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed in the United States and around the globe on October 15th with an International Wave of Light. Candles were lit at 7 p.m. to honor this tradition.
Jessica and I had the privilege of attending this event and it was so neat to see people come together in remembrance of those who have experienced pregnancy loss and infant death, which includes but is not limited to miscarriages, stillbirths, SIDS, SUDI, or the death of a newborn. The event began at 6 p.m. and everyone who attended was able to reflect on whom they were there to support or remember. Also, a chaplain from a local hospital gave a brief speech on loss and remembrance. Everyone who attended was able to say whom they came to remember or support and it was interesting to hear the different time spans in which people had experienced a loss. Some families were at the memorial service in remembrance of a recent loss and others were there in remembrance of a loss that happened many years ago. One family was at the memorial service representing a loss from the 60’s. It was awesome to see that even though many years had past they still made an effort to come support their loved one that had passed.
Over all, the experience was truly touching and I am glad to see people who have had the unfortunate experience of pregnancy and infant loss unite together and form a community who can support and lean on each other through the trials they have experienced.
~Frances
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