We who attend the 3rd Annual Christmas Box Angel

Remembrance Service

Emma Keen, Opal Upton, Margie Sharp, Evelyn Meadors, Rita Canada, Brenda Rogers, Bill Rogers, Lynette Lawson,

Dinah Taylor, Leanne Butler, Carroll Helm, Media Gibbons, Jim Taylor, Eva Taylor. Not in picture, Galena Coffey.

We began the service at the angel. This Litany was read at the dedication of the angel, June 5, 2004 was read once again:

Litany of Dedication

Christmas Box Angel

LEADER: We are thankful for writers like Richard Paul Evans who pen stories that ring true in life.

PEOPLE: We are thankful for artists like Ortho and Jared Fairbanks who capture beauty and hope.

LEADER: We are thankful for friends like Luther and Rosemary Smith and David Wilkinson whose generosity blesses us all.

PEOPLE: We are thankful for our memories of sons and daughters who passed from this life far too soon and whose presence we daily miss.

LEADER: With grateful but grieving hearts we dedicate this Christmas Box Angel sculpture.

PEOPLE: We dedicate this angel to the memory of our lost angels.

UNISON: May this angel be a testimony to our undying love, our treasured memories, and our constant hope.

After reading the litany, we came into our home and as we each talked about our child we lit a candle and hung our child's picture on a Memory Christmas tree. It was a time for sharing whatever was on our minds as we look toward Christmas.

An advent wreath was used with the fifth candle in the middle.

"As we light these five candles in honor of you, we light one for our grief, one for our courage, one for our memories and one for our love and one for our hope .   (Each person was given a copy of this). As we took turns lighting the candles, one at a time, the following was read:

  This candle represents our grief.  The pain of losing you is intense.  It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.

  This candle represents our courage - to confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, and to change our lives.

  This candle is in your memory - the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other, the silly things you did, and the caring and joy you gave us.

  This candle is the light of love.  As we enter this holiday season, day by day, we cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you.  We thank you for the gift your living brought to each of us.

  And this candle is the light of hope.  It reminds us of love and memories of you that are ours forever.  May the glow of the flame be our source of hopefulness now and forever.  We love you."

After this ceremony, we had supper and enjoyed sharing our memories.

We want to again thank Luther and Rosemary Smith for the Christmas Box angel and David and Marika Wilkinson for the pedestal on which the angel stands.

White roses and candles left at the statue after the ceremony.