Op-Ed – Christmas Remembrance Service

Op-Ed – Christmas Remembrance Service

By Mayor Carlo DeMaria

Stacy and I recently had the honor of hosting a memorial service at Glenwood Cemetery in remembrance of those who have passed on.

This time of year is thought of as the happiest time of year, but for some it is the most difficult. Some people are alone during the holidays and some struggle to make ends meet. There are also those who have lost loved ones, who at this time last year were here, alive and vibrant, celebrating life with us. We struggle to come to grips with this as we experience our first Holiday Season without them, but we must learn to keep them close and forever in our hearts. They are with us everywhere we go and in everything we do, we just have to embrace that knowledge, and know they are still part of us, and always will be.

Easy to say, difficult to do, so I thought I would include some reminders from “A Litany of Remembrance.”

  In the rising of the sun and in its going down

  We remember them.

  In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter

  We remember them.

  In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring

  We remember them.

  In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer

  We remember them.

  In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn

  We remember them.

  In the beginning of the year and when it ends

  We remember them.

  When we are weary and in need of strength

  We remember them.

  When we are lost and sick at heart

  We remember them.

  When we have joys we yearn to share

  We remember them.

  So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us

  We remember them.