Worldwide candle lighting to remember loved ones

Tyler TX — Christmas can be one of the hardest times of the year for families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. One group here in Tyler believes no one should go through that alone. The Compassionate Friends of Tyler meets once a month and tonight they had their annual candle lighting service in memory of all their children who have passed away.

On Sunday night at 7:00pm, candles burned for one hour in time zones around the world. "It's annual at Christmas time we light candles in memory of our children we have lost," said Pamela Pickett. As a slideshow plays family members and friends approach the front of the sanctuary to say their child's or loved one's name and light a candle in their honor. "I have lost both of my children, one I lost ten years ago one I lost four years ago, but i only found the compassionate friends two years ago and they have just been my salvation," said Pickett. She says this time of year is especially hard for people who have lost loved ones. "Even Christmas songs can just put you back in your car when you're trying to shop or celebrate the season."

Pickett says the Compassionate Friends of Tyler helps keep the memory of their children alive. She says, "We talk about our children we cry we laugh we share, just nobody can understand unless they've been through it."

The Compassionate Friends symbol is the butterfly to represent new life and every may they have a butterfly release to represent their children, quote "healthy and happy, flying free in paradise."

For more information on this organization you can visit their website at:http://www.tylertcf.org/home.htm