ALBANY — When a child is lost, those closest to them often feel like they are alone in the world.
Families in Southwest Georgia don’t have to feel that way.
In conjunction with The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting, the Albany Community Hospice is sponsoring a memorial service called “Lights of Hope,” to be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Fish Camp Retreat Center on Gillionville Road.
The idea is to provide an outlet in the form of a memorial service to families who have lost a child, regardless of the age or cause of death.
“We thought it would be a good thing to have here,” said Bruce Pittman, bereavement coordinator at the hospice. “It gives parents a chance to remember their child. It give parents a chance to see there are other parents out there (who have lost children).”
Nina Ledford’s daughter, Jessica Ledford, had spina bifida. She eventually suffered a brain infection and went into hospice care. She remained there until her death in January 2008 at the age of 20.
“I was a caregiver all her life, and in return, she gave us a lot of love,” Nina Ledford recalled.
As a parent who has lost a child, she explained that it is important to conduct such gatherings in order to preserve the memories and to ensure people there are others out there going through the same thing.
“There is a fear that the memories will be forgotten, and that our children will be forgotten,” Ledford said. “It helps tremendously to know there are other parents out there going through grief.
“(The memorial service) is an assurance to us as parents (our children) are not forgotten.”
As for the loss itself, the most stressful part of the situation is that it disrupts the natural order of things, Ledford explained.
“The death of my parent was nothing in comparison to the death of my child,” she said.
Ledford’s will be attending her second Lights of Hope program. Interacting with others who have lost children gives her a sense of perspective on what she’s going through, she said.
“(Attending last year’s event) was very emotional,” she said. “It was very difficult, but I would not have missed it for anything. I feel like it brings parents closer together. It is helpful for me to see parents who lost their children 10 to 15 years ago; it gives you assurance that you will be able to pick up the pieces and that you will be able to continue life.
“It doesn’t matter if the child was 2 weeks old or 40 years old. Your life turns upside down when you lose your child. You are never the same again.”
Seventeen children were memorialized at last year’s event. Given the sensitivity of the situation, it is hard to gauge what the public response will be this year, Pittman said.
“For some parents, it’s hard to come to this,” he said.
Families typically provide a picture of their child, and an ornament is made with the family member’s name on it. The service will also include a short devotion and a candle lighting.
“We would like to encourage parents and even the general public to come out,” Ledford said.
The event is open to all family members of a child who has been lost, regardless of age or cause. For more information, contact the Albany Community Hospice at (229) 312-7050.