The Bereaved Parents Support Group will take part in the largest worldwide mass candle lighting at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th.  This candlelight service marks the 19th year for the Bereaved Parents Support Group to join with the Compassionate Friends and host the Worldwide Candle Lighting for the area. The candle lighting will be hosted, once again, by Heartland Mall.  Families will gather inside, just in front of J.C. Penney, around their Angel Memorial Tree participating in the Worldwide Virtual Wave of Light.

The central Texas time to light candles is 7-8 p.m., and the local group join in with their candles lit by 7 p.m. and remaining lit until 8 p.m.  A casual program is planned with music, poems and sharing. Anyone who has suffered the loss of a child, grandchild, sibling, spouse, parent or any friend or family loved one, is welcome to come and join this evening of lighting a candle in memory of a loved one.

Held annually, the event seems to unite families and friends around the globe as they light their candles. The worldwide event begins with candles lit at midnight of the second Sunday in December in New Zealand and will continue in one hour sequences around the globe, creating the 24 hour virtual wave of light.

The Wave of Light began in 1996 as a small internet observance, but has grown and increased until there are candle light services around the globe. There were over 800 events registered in the past and even more are expected this year. The Compassionate Friends is an organization that is available to all who have suffered the death of a child, or grandchild.

The local Bereaved Parents group participates in conjunction with the national group to host local events throughout the year, but, due to the lack of support groups here, the Bereaved Parents feel the need to offer help to anyone who has lost a loved one. Everyone grieves after the death of a loved one so they open their arms and hearts to aid all grieving souls, offering positive ways to deal with the grief group members endure.

The local Bereaved Parents group was founded in 1988 by a group of bereaved parents who needed support. The group originated with a group of around 20 who had lost children.   In 1992, the Community Counseling Center of Howard Payne University took over the program, under the direction of Marilyn Jackson with the help of several local leaders. Through changes at HPU, the community counseling center was closed and the group was left to find new leadership. Since 1994 it has been under the leadership of LaFreda Kilburn, whose only child, a son, Scotty Purcell was killed in late 1993 in a pickup/train accident in Bangs.

Through Marilyn’s guidance and direction the group has increased in size and in 1996 created the Angel Memorial Trees stand every year inside Heartland Mall to honor all loved ones who have died. The trees now holds over 400 ornaments. Then the candle light service is held around the trees every year to honor all loved ones who have died. The group meets monthly and host several special occasions such as the candle lighting and a balloon lift off in May. The group is geared toward helping grieving souls to find positive ways to deal with their grief while offering support and friendship to the grieving. Anyone who would like to add an angel to the tree may contact LaFreda at 325- 998-1567, and one will be added at no charge.

Those attending the candle lighting need not bring anything, everything will be provided due to the generosity of the Bereaved Parents Support Group, in memory of all their angels.