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Southeast Texas families honor lost children with worldwide candle lighting

Dozens gathered at Lumberton City Park Sunday night to remember the lives of loved ones who are no longer with us.

LUMBERTON — At 7 p.m. local time, more than 600 Compassionate Friends chapters across the country took part in the annual Worldwide Candle Lighting.

The event serves as a gift to the bereaved community of families who have lost a child.

Dozens gathered at Lumberton City Park to participate and remember the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who are no longer with us.

The Compassionate Friends of Southeast Texas (CFST) is one of the national organization's new chapter.

It was created in September, to give loved ones dealing with tragedy a blanket of support.

Sunday night, everyone brought a picture of who they honored and proceeded to hold a candle, symbolizing their life:

Wyndi Padgett honored her son Blain, who died from an opioid overdose in March. He was a star defensive end at Rice University and graduated from Hardin Jefferson High School.

Cathy Taylor honored her son Chase, who died from a gunshot wound in October 2017. Before his death, he studied at LIT and graduated from West Brook High School.

Angie Labiche honored her daughter Ashley, who was killed in a car crash in August 2009. She was 17 years old and attended Kelly High School at the time of her death.

"This time of year is hard with the holidays," says CFST committee member Latrece Griffin. "So, we just try to come together, light a candle and be amongst people who understand and kind of know what you're going through."

William Sherman of Vidor recently lost his 22-year-old daughter Casing.

He says even though the pain from her loss will never really go away, it helps having the support of others.

"It's another step in the grieving process," says Sherman. "To come remember my daughter and be with some other people who are going through the same thing."

Any family members seeking help in their grieving process are welcome to attend the chapter's monthly meeting.

They gather on the second Tuesday of each month at the Lumberton Public Library at 6:30 p.m.

"Just know that there is no one way to grieve, do whatever works for your family," says Griffin. "There's no rush in grieving and around this time, be around family is the best thing you can do."

The annual Worldwide Candle Lighting ceremony takes place across the nation on the second Sunday of December every year.

The CFST plan to be a part of it for years to come.

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