When you lose a loved one, the holidays can be some of the hardest times. It can feel isolating as if no one can understand what you are going through. In these dark times, fortunately, there is light, as the community bands together to lift each other. A chance to witness this community bond will occur on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Angel of Hope Statue remembrance ceremony.
Event organizer Valorie Marietti sat down with Castle Country Radio to discuss the event and its importance to the community.
Opening our conversation, Marietti explained what the Angel of Hope is,” the Angel of Hope is a memorial statue for children that have passed away. There’s no age limit. Everyone is someone’s child, so we have names on our walls of even elderly people.”
“The holiday season is very difficult for people that are grieving, especially those that have lost children,” stated Marietti,” So every year we get together and try to support one another. I say a few words, we have a moment of silence and then everyone’s given the opportunity to place a rose at the statue or on one of the walls that carries one of their loved ones’ names.
Moving on to the ceremony, Marietti laid out the schedule,” we do the ceremony once every year on the same day, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. There are over 160 angels worldwide and many of them have ceremonies at the same time.” She continued,” Roses and candles are provided. It is typically a very cold night, so please dress warmly. There’s very few times we’ve been able to keep the candles lit because it’s cold and windy, but this is a worldwide date that is celebrated and we just endure it to take some time together and support one another.”
Marietti also spoke on the importance of events like these,” It’s a very isolating time when you’ve suffered a loss, and our world wants people to move on. Anyone that’s suffered a loss knows that is not reality. You do not move on.” explained Marietti,” I explain grief as a big heavy monster that climbs on your back and eventually, you adjust to the weight. This is an opportunity to spend some time with other people who are struggling with that same weight that becomes very, very heavy during the holidays.”
In closing, Marietti shared,” We will not be adding an additional wall for quite some time, but if you would like to add a name, feel free to contact me. You can go on the Facebook page, Angel Hope Statue Carbon/Emery and message me there.”
The Angel of Hope Statue remembrance ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 starting at 7 p.m. at the Cliffview cemetery located at 1850 East 800 North in Price. For more information on the event, you can visit its Facebook event page.