The tears flowed at the Lasting Lights of Love Memorial Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5.
The Humboldt Volunteer Hospice invited the public to attend the fourth annual event, which pays special tribute to loved ones who died in the last year.
Sherry Smith, executive director of the hospice, said the names of the people are not just those who passed on in Humboldt County, but come from all over.
"These are people special to someone in Humboldt County," said Smith. Combining the lighting ceremony with the memorial is a way for people to honor their loved one and a way for people to feel okay about grieving during the holidays.
"The holidays are difficult anyway, and it's hard being without that person," said Smith. "With the tree lighting, we're saying it's okay to feel sad, but it's also okay to feel happy because it is the holidays."
The evening began with an introduction by Cindy Michael of Humboldt Hospice and a prayer by Pastor Gayle Basten of the United Methodist Church.
Mayor Di An Putnam read names of those who died in 2014, and some of those in attendance at the courthouse could not hold back their tears. After reading the memorials, Putnam reminded the audience that Christmas is a joyous time of year, and that their loved ones would want it to be a time of joy.
As carolers sang "Go Light Your World," the Christmas tree was lit with blue bulbs which cast a wistful glow through the courthouse lobby.
After a moving rendition of "Silent Night," the carolers, Gordon and Kollette Maxwell, John and Cindy Sandoval, Skip and Jan Harrington and Kenny Drake, cheered the crowd with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."
Kollette Maxwell said that if a loved one enjoyed Christmas, then enjoy Christmas as the happy tune played.
Smith said people may still purchase lights for the tree, as tribute to their loved ones. Please contact Hospice at 623-6218 for more information.[[In-content Ad]]
