Worldwide candle lighting ceremony to be celebrated

The local chapter of The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is honoring and remembering children who have died with a small service at the Cary Library at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.
    In preparation of the event the small evergreen tree in the front of the library was decorated by members and friends of TCF. This candlelight gathering will be part of a worldwide effort to unite families and friends around the globe by lighting a candle in memory of their loved one.
This is the 15th worldwide lighting and the fourth time for the Houlton chapter. As the TCF organization says, this event allows grieving families to know that their children have not been and never will be forgotten, whether that child died 60 years ago or yesterday.
“The candle lighting surpasses all artificial, religious and cultural boundaries,” said Jennifer Sylvester, a chapter member whose son Sam died seven years ago. “It allows us to mourn as one when death robs the world of its most valuable resource. I want people who have experienced a similar loss to come to this candle lighting and know they are among friends — people who understand, people who “get it” and people who will listen.”
Try to find time to come to the library and realize how good it will feel to share this season with one another and lift up the name of your beloved child or sibling. The candle lighting takes place outside the library and then all participants go inside for refreshments and fellowship.