In the Memory of the Young

The death of a child is happening more and more these days and for no reason.  Whether it directly affects you or indirectly it is a cause for adults to fight for.  But during this holiday season there are some parents who have lost their children to the pandemic that is plaguing our cities.  Not every case is an absent father, or cracked out mom. Despite popular belief there are parents doing the best they can by their children, but for whatever reason, their children CHOSE to do something different.  Then there are the innocent bystanders that are caught in the mist of the societal destruction at the hands of youth idiosyncrasies.  Is it right? NO! Is it fair? NO! Is it happening? Absolutely.

Easing the pain that a parent feels is not an easy task and for some will never happen.   But thanks to Patricia Loder, a twice-bereaved parent and executive director of The Compassionate Friends, a national self-help bereavement organization for families going through the natural grieving process after the death of a child, says there are many ways others can help the grieving family to remember that child during the holidays.

1. Write down memories -- especially funny stories -- of the child to give to the family. Try to get others who knew the child to write a story and then make a scrapbook for the family that can be added to in the future.

2. Encourage the family to talk about the child, while understanding that some tears may fall -- a tribute to the child who died.

3. Share photos or videos of the child with the family that they may not have seen before.

4. "Adopt a child" for the holidays by giving gifts in remembrance of the child who died. Notify the family.

5. If you send a card, make certain to mention that you're thinking of the child (by name), even if it's been many years since the child died.

6. Give the family an ornament that in some way will remind the family of the child.

7. Give the family time and space so they can handle the holidays in a manner that works for them. Be understanding.

8. Invite the family to participate in The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting the second Sunday in December, whether by attending a service or lighting a candle for an hour at home.

9. Make a donation to a favorite charity in honor of the child.

The Compassionate Friends has nearly 625 chapters in the United States offering support to bereaved families during this difficult time of the year and all year long. The organization, in conjunction with other groups globally, sponsors a Worldwide Candle Lighting the second Sunday in December with hundreds of services open to the public. Visit TCF's national website for a list of what will total more than 500 services submitted from around the world that are open to the public. Call toll-free 877-969-0010 or visit them on the Web at http://www.compassionatefriends.org. Also on Facebook at The Compassionate Friends/USA.


So The Daring Show would like to show our support for these families by listing the child’s name In Loving Remembrance. So every time you watch the news or listen to the radio and you hear of a child’s life who has expired list their name on this discussion board. You never know who this touches and during the holiday season, we don’t want families to feel alone. 

Thank you for your support.

In Loving Remembrance

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