David Lovaas drove from the Iron Range to participate in the “Light Up A Life” event held at the Johnson Heritage Post last week. Participants recounted memories of their friends, spouses, and children who touched them deeply before lighting a candle in their memory. David lit a candle for his father Kenny, who died at age 88 this fall.
As people arose in the darkness and candles were lit one by one, individuals told their stories. Some were sweet soliloquies, prayers of thanks and remembrance. Some were sad. Some tinged with tenderness; anecdotes of loved ones lost by illness or accident. Goodbyes and hellos came in the same breath, shared with others who came to do the same.
More than two dozen brief monologues were delivered by people remembering their loved ones in the ninth annual Light Up A Life celebration held at the Johnson Heritage Post on Thursday, December 7.
Because of the cold weather, the service was held inside.
Tributes were made to those who lived only one day and to those who lived full lives into their late nineties.
One lady lit her candle for her sister who was killed in a car accident last year when she was driving to see her children for Christmas. An older gentleman said his boy lived one day but was never forgotten in a family of six children. “I feel he is looking down watching after me,” he said.
Pastor Mark Ditmanson led a brief service. Drew Heinonen sang several songs and played guitar. Drew also led some communal singing, including “This Little Light of Mine.”
A tree lighting ceremony was held outside, and the ceremony ended with a verse of “Silent Night” after Pastor Ditmanson again read some words of scripture.
It was billed as a short ceremony of reflection and connection and music but as one man said, “This might sound strange, but this is the highlight of my year.”
For all, it seemed, the experience to tell about someone they loved and then lost with others who came to do the same was cathartic, uplifting.
The event was sponsored by Care Partners to support the end of life services in Cook County.
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