Above: The weather was cold, but hearts were warmed by the lighting of the Cook County Care Partners’ “Memory Tree.” Left: Michele Miller, Georgene Daubanton and Maria Nickolay shared some beautiful music.
Despite it being a drizzly, dreary, dark day—or perhaps because it was a drizzly, dreary, dark day—there was a nice turnout for the annual Care Partners of Cook County “Light up a Life” ceremony in the Stone’s Throw Room at East Bay Suites in Grand Marais. Community members gathered to honor and remember loved ones lost.
Kay Grindland of Care Partners welcomed everyone out of the cold as musicians Michele Miller, Georgene Daubanton and Maria Nickolay softly sang. Grindland introduced staff and board members of Care Partners and thanked them for their work to support the organization throughout the year.
Grindland said “Light up a Life” is an event that takes place across the United States to remember those who have died in a rich and meaningful way. She thanked everyone for coming out in the rain and announced that at the start of the event, $1,300 had been raised through sale of memorial lights to support Care Partners. Donations are being accepted through the holiday season.
She invited everyone to take a look at the special book of remembrance in which the names of those being remembered with a light on the tree next to Drury Lane Books is inscribed.
Carolyn Schmidt, a clergy person and a Care Partners board member, gave a blessing and a reminder that all of us leave a legacy. As our loved ones have been to us, she said, we will be to others.
Audience members were invited to come forward to light a candle and share a memory. Several people did so, sharing poignant thoughts of friends, parents, siblings, grandparents, Army buddies and fishing buddies. There were memories of jokes, of baking together, of unconditional love.
Reverend Schmidt said, “For as long as we live, they too live, for they are a part of us.”
The musicians sang again, their voices blending beautifully in Amazing Grace and I’ll Fly Away and then those who were willing to brave the cold, damp weather went outside for the lighting of the Memory Tree.
Wrapped in winter coats and under umbrellas, a group gathered around the tree, singing a chorus of This Little Light of Mine.
Many went back inside East Bay then, for delicious refreshments and for more telling of stories, with the Memory Tree across the street casting a warm glow. The tree will stand through the holidays brightening the dark winter sky.
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