International Lights

This past Sunday, December 14th, we lit a candle in memory of Jason. This was the annual International Lighting Ceremony of The Compassionate Friends and our chapter is located in Plano, TX. The chapter was started in 1999 and the first lighting ceremony had 54 children to honor. This year we had 260 and each day it grows. It has been said many times that it is never expected that a child dies before a parent but it started with Adam and Eve and today 20% of parents throughout the world will lose a child and even sadder is that many parents lose more than one. Our chapter founders and leaders epitomize compassion and never limit our time to share the story of our children. So this week I spoke from a perspective of having been without Jason for over 5 years. The emptiness is forever present but the emotion is not as raw as some others in our group of over 30 attendees. I told them I know that Jason would not want his death to define us but to inspire us to assist others while they travel this dark journey of grief. Jason showed so much courage during his 32 years that I will be damned if my goal to honor him everyday is ever weaken.