It's just one little candle
One tiny flickering light
A challenge to the darkness
A small beacon in the night
It could be just a gentle touch
A reminder that you're there
Or a warm, compassionate hug
That shows you understand and care
Maybe it's a helping hand
A thoughtful, practical deed
A casserole, some laundry
Whatever meets the need
Sometimes it only takes your smile
To encourage and uplift
And should that smile lead to laughter
You've shared a precious gift
There's comfort in shared silence
Or in a softly spoken word
Or in taking time to listen
To feelings that must be heard
Yes, it's just one little candle
Softly glowing in the night
But it can overcome the darkness
If it will only share it's light
Just one candle at a time
Each one giving from its heart
Reaching out to those nearby
Asking them to do their part
To make sure the light keeps growing
Reaching out to those in sorrow
Offering comfort, warmth and hope
Strength and courage for tomorrow
Each year in Maine more than 7,500 people are diagnosed with cancer.
And, sadly, more than 3,100 Mainers lose their battle with this disease every year.
They are our mothers and our fathers,
our sisters and our brothers,
grandparents and children,
our friends and our neighbors.
Tonight, we gather together to
HONOR
those who have battled this disease
and to
MEMORIALIZE
those who are no longer with us
This is their story.
Our candles shine brightly in the hope that one day we shall light no more.
We offer up this simple prayer: praying one day for a cure.
Dreams may come then dreams may go
But hope should never be let to run low
A bird will sing then fly away
But hope will last for way more than half a day
A tear will fall straight to the ground
But hope will float around and around
Touching ice will make it melt
But hope is something that can always be felt
Footprints are what we leave behind
But hope is what we always carry within our minds
- written by, Lynne Nunley, Cancer Survivor
As we conclude our Luminaria Service,
we invite you to take some quiet time and walk among the Luminaria
and reflect on all that they represent,
life
and
memories.