Alexis Lee Richards 08/19/79 to 02/06/07
When I was doing some research to find out what types of activities, events and holidays occured today for my Quirky Marketing Calendar blog, I discovered World Candle Lighting Day and time stood still for a moment.
You see, World Candle Lighting Day is about honoring and remembering children who have died at any age from any cause. For those of you who know me, you may have heard that in 2007 I lost Alexis Lee Richards (27) to a drug oversdose. She was my middle daughter. She is survived by Jennifer and Suzannah and never a day goes by that I don’t think of her, sometimes with great sadness and other times with joy as I remember how much life Alexis packed into her 27 years on earth.
My granddaughter, who is only 6 years old, reminds us we have our very own special angel watching over us each and every day.
So I thought it only fitting to share with the readers of WE Magazine for Women for those of you who have lost a child or know someone who has lost a child to anything. May you remember them with peace and joy and love in your heart. I am sure your special angels are watching over you and those you love too.
About the Worldwide Candle Lighting: “The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memory of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries.“
Compassionate Friends website offers several resources to help grieving families including: Online support: grief support for siblings, grandparents, and families; the Open to Hope Talk Show and much more.
And finally, here is a poem I share every year on Alexis birthday to celebrate her life:
