Light a Candle this Sunday

"Light a candle for all the children who have died…that their light may always shine."

So invites Compassionate Friends organization to their 15th annual worldwide candle lighting ceremony this Sunday, December 11, 2011. Their website offers links to finding a service open to the public in your area. Or you can light a candle in your home at 7 PM, assured that "you will be joined by hundreds of thousands of people who are thinking about the children around the world who are gone, but continue to live on in the hearts that they touched."

This year's celebration has special meaning for my family, as we so recently lost our darling grandson, just shy of his sixth birthday. Kaeden will always be in our hearts, is frequently is our daily conversations, and reminders of his presence just seem to be everywhere. I have lost family members before, but they were adults who had lived most their lives out. Their deaths did not prepare me for the emotional disaster of losing a grandchild.

I'm not alone in having to deal with this. Religion has offered solace to mankind for all of our history:

"Then [at death] he will be united with me. Be certain of that." Bhagavad-Gita 8:4
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Ecclesiastes 12:7
"Soon ye return to us: and we will let you know what ye have done! For unto God shall be the final gathering." Qur'án 10:24; 35:19
"All men have proceeded from God and unto Him shall all return." Bahá'í Prayers p. 20
"Verily, we are God's....And unto Him we do return." Gems of Divine Mysteries p. 25

The Bahá'í Faith teaches that the true nature of human beings is eternal, that we are spirit associated for a time with a physical form, that creation is a huge sandbox designed especially for our education. The purpose of life is to develop character, test the progress we are making in honing our virtues and polishing the mirrors of our hearts. The soul is immortal, having a beginning, but no end--abiding within a material world for a while, but eventually returning to God.

In some ways, our little Kaeden was spared much of the trials and tribulations inherent in the learning system of this physical world. In others, he may have been way ahead of me in his spiritual development! He never doubted his purpose or place in the sun of our love nor God's, and was quite vocal about what he thought important in life: friendship, love, kindness, fairness, fun and laughter. Oh. And speed: he had only two gears--sleep and high velocity! His passionate life with us, however short, will not be forgotten.

This Sunday evening, our family and some friends will meet for devotions and light some candles. Not one of us is without the experience of loss, even those who might not have known Kaeden. Our candles will be electric but symbol isn't as important as the concept and the community. Life is all about community, loving and sharing with one another.

You're invited to join us.

Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting Ceremony