MASON CITY, IA--
“If there's one thing that stands out for anybody that knew Nicole it was her smile,” said Tammy Hale, of her one year old daughter Nicole. Nicole died when someone set their house on fire. “She did not make it through the fire, she was too little and she could not handle the smoke inhalation,” said Hale. It happened 23 years ago December 13th. “This being the anniversary of her death, it’s just to me an extra special way to honor her,” said Hale.
Hale and her husband Don were among those gathering for the Compassionate Friends candle lighting ceremony in Mason City. They honored children of all ages who died before their time and tried to help their living loved ones heal the hurt. “When you lose a child or a sibling you think that you're alone in the world and nobody else can know how you feel,” said Hale.
On Sunday people from every time zone linked together, lit candles, and tried to ease each other's pain. “It's sad but it's a chance to heal,” said Susan Schroeder, another participant.
It's that chance to help heal that Hale was there for. “I hope I can offer hope to somebody else and they can see that they can make it through,” she said.
And they're spreading their hope the world over. “That candle honors the memory of that child and the candle burns to keep that memory alive,” said Hale.
The Compassionate Friends group meets on the evening of the last Monday of every month at First Covenant Church in Mason City. The meetings are open to anyone looking for support with the loss of a child.
