Thanksgiving and Christmas can be rough after losing a son, daughter, grandchild or other loved one.
“The holidays are never the same because you’re always missing that person,” said Washington resident Mary Rose Jones, who lost her son, Andy, in a car accident almost three years ago.
She and her husband, Cecil, have been active in an Evansville chapter of a support group for bereaved parents, The Compassionate Friends. They are helping organize a memorial candlelighting and hope to start another chapter of The Compassionate Friends in Washington.
The eighth annual Children’s Memorial Candlelighting Service will be held at 3 p.m. Central time Sunday at the Children’s Angel Monument at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Center north of Evansville, just west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Booneville-New Harmony Road.
“Since we lost Andy, this is our way of celebrating Christmas and remembering Andy,” said Mary Rose of the candlelighting ceremony.
She and Cecil invite other area families who have lost loved ones to come to the ceremony, which is meant to provide a moment of peace and remembrance away from the mainstream Christmas celebration.
It will start at the Angel Monument with a candlelighting and bagpipe music, then move to the Activities Building. If case of inclement weather, all of the ceremony will be held in the Activities Building.
“Around the holidays, people don’t want to talk about your child, but you need to talk about your child (to heal),” said Cecil. “You can walk away and feel you’ve had some connection with your child.”
The Jonses suggest those attending bring a photo of their child for the display and a flower to place on the monument.
Beyond the candlelighting ceremony, the Joneses hope to provide continued support for area parents who have lost children by starting a local support group for bereaved parents.
They have set their first meeting for the afternoon of Jan. 13 at the Fraternal Order of Police cabin, but they still need more leadership support for the group and they don’t know how many are interested in attending.
Whether the group is sponsored by The Compassionate Friends or not, the Joneses want to make sure someone will be there to lead when they can’t.
The Joneses stress that the support group is not religious; it’s meant to help anyone of any faith work through the grief of losing a child.
It’s also strictly confidential so that grieving parents can feel more free to talk about their emotions. The group does not provide professional support but allows parents to work through their grief by talking to others who are feeling the same things.
“We don’t have all the answers,” said Mary Rose. “But by talking, people help themselves.”
“It’s hard to go, but it’s also relaxing to go because you’re helping other people,” said Cecil, adding that the Evansville support group helped him work through his angry feelings after the death of his son.
Local News
Bereaved parents find comfort in ‘Compassionate Friends’ group
- Local News
-
-
Seidel crowned WC's homecoming queen
Madison Seidel, daughter of Jane and Richard Seidel of Washington, was crowned 2012 Washington Catholic Homecoming Queen at the Birdcage on Saturday.
-
Car becomes stuck on railroad tracks; driver cited
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Schnitzelbank has No. 1 sandwich in Indiana
Indianapolis had a great time hosting the Super Bowl and although most of the attention appeared to be focused on all things Brady, Manning and Manning (sounds like a law firm), however, we know the star that shined the brightest was the Indiana Super 46 sandwich contest.
-
Messmer in Washington to discuss current legislation
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
One bill of local interest that has passed through the House is HB 1149, the smoking ban. It would prohibit smoking in public places, enclosed places of employment and within 12 feet of a public entrance to those places. It also would prohibit smoking in certain state vehicles if signed into law. -
Messmer hears concerns
District 63 State Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) held a town hall meeting Monday at Washington City Council Chambers to discuss current legislation passed by the Indiana House of Representatives, to answer questions from constituents and to hear their concerns.
-
Car finds railroad tracks
Kevin Michael Williams, 5303 S. Alexander Rd., was cited for disregarding a stop sign after a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier he was driving became stuck on CSX railroad tracks in Washington near the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. Tri-County Towing removed the vehicle at 5:41 p.m. after CSX officials had been contacted.
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
