Stepping in to the light of loss

A short story about a very long night

The very act of lighting a candle can be sacred ritual. The striking of the match, a prayer. When hearts are heavy with sadness and Spirits are weary, the lighting of a candle can help ease us through.

On Friday evening, December 20th, a growing group of people gathered briefly in an old Methodist Chapel to embrace the dark, sit in the safety of stillness and silence and light candles to send a little light out to the world.

Few words were spoken. I heard the names of those being grieved whispered by people as they lit a candle; I heard hope for the planet to know peace being expressed; and I watched as the tears fell from one woman who lit two candles, unable to speak…..candles of love and gratitude for two recently departed companion dogs.

We sat together in silence, our chairs encircling and spiraling out from the table, while the Threshold Chorus sang quietly from the back of the Chapel. Songs of light, hope, peace and love. Then, all who were willing and able, stood and held hands and sang together the words set to music “We Are All Just Walking Each Other Home” over and over and over.

When everyone had left the building, and it was just Greg and I with 3 friends who stayed to help pack everything up, and the lights were all still off and the room was aglow in candles, my friend Jo took this picture just before I began snuffing the candles.

When she sent it to me yesterday morning, and I saw the little blue orbs, a whole body shiver ran through me. They were not visible to any of us who were in the room but when I saw them in this picture my first thought was that they were the Angel Spirits of those who had been remembered. The mothers and fathers, the sisters, children, friends and strangers. The beloved pets and all of those who’s names had not been spoken, but who’s stories, none the less, had been there with those who had carried them in.

stepping in to the light of loss