The beautifully lit tree next to Drury Lane Books and the World’s Best Donuts was the centerpiece of a moving Light Up a Life ceremony on Thursday, December 4.
Although the Cook County Care Partners Light Up a Life ceremony was held in a different location this year, the ceremony was well attended and as meaningful as always.
About 50 gathered at the East Bay Suite Stone Throw Room on Thursday evening, December 4 for the event with holiday treats and music. The location was lovely, with the moon shining off the lake outside. Yvonne Mills, Barb LaVigne and Amanda Hand provided wonderful music, singing Give Yourself to Love and Bright Morning Stars. They also led the group in the traditional This Little Light of Mine and Silent Night.
Pastor Beth Benson of the
First Congregational Church led the ceremony, weaving in the elements of wind, water and fire into this time of remembrance.
She read Mary Oliver’s poem In
Blackwater Woods.
Attendees shared the names and stories of those they have lost or silently listened. The weather was warm enough to allow the group to go across the street to circle and light the Memory Tree as the closing of the event. The tree stands next to Drury Lane
Books, sharing its light with all.
Kay Grindland of Care
Partners said over $1,700 was raised through Light Up a Life to support end of life care through
Care Partners. Donations are still being accepted.
In Blackwater Woods
(an excerpt)
Every year
everything
I have ever learned
in my lifetime
leads back to this:
the fires and the black river of loss
whose other side is salvation,
whose meaning none of us will ever know.
To live in this world you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
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