The Parkes Chapter of The Compassionate Friends (TCF) will hold its annual candle lighting at 5.30pm this Sunday (December 14) in Lions Park (Orange Road).
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The members of the Parkes Compassionate Friends would like to extend a special invitation to all families who have suffered the loss of a child, grandchild, brother or sister or even a friend to the candle lighting.
A special invitation is extended to newly bereaved families, as they come to terms with trying to make sense of life without their loved ones.
The Parkes Chapter leaders, Judy and Tony Fisher has been very active this year with a two page article in the Land Newspaper on the loss of their child Nic and the dramatic changes that happened to them and their family.
They lost their 12 year old son Nic to Shallow Water Blackout, nearly 13 years ago.
The producers of the recent 60 Minutes story on this very subject consulted extensively with Tony and Judy on their experience.
However they decided to run with a more recently bereaved couple.
Whatever the cause of the loss of your child, grandchild, brother or sister or friend, the grief and sadness is understood best by others who have suffered a loss. We all speak “the same language”.
Parkes’s Chapter of The compassionate Friends would like to invite any parent, grandparent, brother or sister, who would like to read on the night, to please contact Judy Fisher on mobile 0402 599 001 so your special poem or piece of writing can be added to the program for the night.
Our evening will begin with the displaying of photos of your loved ones on a photo board.
They create a beautiful display of love and loss, memories and sadness.
The poems and stories will then be read and everyone is also invited to light a candle in remembrance of your loved one.
The candles will be supplied or you are welcome to bring your own.
Our special Compassionate Friends banner which has all our children’s names embroidered on it will be on display.
We would like to make a special thank you to Mandy and Tony Byrne for their kindness of updating the names for us every year.
The opportunity is also there for any families that have not added their lost children to add the names on the night.
The Parkes chapter of TCF was started just over 12 years ago by founder Mary McPhee, who has suffered the loss of her son Donald.
For the past 12 years the Parkes Candle Lighting has joined as part of TCF worldwide candle lighting.
This happens on the second Sunday of December, creating a wave of light that circles the globe
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Following the candle lighting you may just like to sit among the lovely surrounding of the Lions Park and be around others who understand completely the feeling of sadness and loss.
Everyone is welcome to bring a rug or chairs, drinks and nibbles and stay on following the candle lighting.
If the weather is inclement, the evening will take place in the Middleton School Hall, Medlyn Street, Parkes.
- Fran Scurfield.
