On Dec. 10, 2006, The Compassionate Friends, allied organizations, churches, hospitals and funeral homes will observe the 10th anniversary of the Worldwide Candle Lighting - a day set aside each year to honor and remember all children who have died far too soon. At 7 p.m. local time, candles will be lit for one hour in remembrance of the children gone, but never forgotten, creating a wave of light around the world.

Unfortunately, every year we are faced with tragedies that make this circle of light grow ever larger. As we light our candles, we remember the servicemen and women who have died in defense of their country, schoolchildren who have died senselessly at the hands of others, those who have suffered long-term illness or died before they could see the light of day, and the many, many others who have lost their lives to AIDS, suicide, or accident.

Anyone wishing to locate a nearby service or receive more information is welcome to visit TCF's national Web site at www.compassionatefriend.org

Patricia Loder, Executive director,
The Compassionate Friends/USA

(((Alffe))) ........ "creating a wave of light around the world" - I like that.

where is compassionate friends located I am in Iowa and lost my son 17 months ago and have been struggling and would like to join a support group to help me through this.

Here is the link for Compassionate Friends...
http://www.compassionatefriends.org/home.aspx

I'm not sure where you are in Iowa but here is the link to the list:
http://www.compassionatefriends.org/...r_Locator.aspx

I hope this helps... I'm sorry for your loss.

Abbie

cjw, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I see that Abbie has given you the link for the location of Compassionate Friends and I hope that you can locate one near you. It's important in our healing to talk about our feelings with others who have been through the pain of losing a child.

Please know that you are not alone.