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Solano community shines a light for loved ones
Colette Hutchinson lights a candle for her daughter at The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting in Vacaville, Sunday. The Solano County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends honored and remembered children lost in the annual ceremony. (Daily Republic-Adam Smith)
VACAVILLE — A table dimly lit with candles displayed the faces of young, smiling children and young adults.
All of their faces were happy, and all of them held great meaning to the ones who loved them. But for those loved ones, each child held meaning for a different reason.
For some, this was their son or daughter who died at a young age. Others may have been adults who still lost their lives too soon. Some were grandchildren, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and friends. But everyone who attended came out to honor somebody they loved.
The Compassionate Friends of Solano County held a candle-lighting honoring lost loved ones. For seven years, the group has supported those who’ve lost a child of any age for any reason.
Sunday evening, the group invited people to light a candle for anyone they have lost.
People lined up around the meeting room of the Hampton Inn to light their candle and say who they’ve lost. Many wore T-shirts and bracelets honoring a loved one.
Chapter leader Vesta Thompson said that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be one of the hardest times of the year for those who have lost a loved one.
Thompson, whose 28-year-old son David Wilson died seven years ago after a motorcycle accident, said that this event gives people a chance to socialize and offer support to one another. It’s easier, she said, when others understand their stories.
Five members of the Steering Committee lit the first five candles as symbols of hope, courage, memories, grief and love.
The last speaker, Colette Hutchinson, lit a candle for love.
“The memory of love will bring you home,” she said.
Reach Heather Ah San at 427-6977 or hahsan@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HeatherMalia.
Heather Ah San
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