International Wave of Light Ceremony Oct. 15

Published: October 12, 2017

By Mary Sue Whitelaw

On Sunday, October 15, a searchlight will light the night sky over Little Rock in observance of International Wave of Light: A Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

A special ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol.Representatives from local hospitals and bereavement organizations will bepresent to provide encouragement and support. Advocates include: ArkansasChildren’s Hospital; Baptist Health; Faith’s Melody; Holy Sews, Inc.; Hope’s Blankets; Linda DeYmaz, bestselling author of "Mommy, Please Don’t Cry: There Are No Tears in Heaven;" Mamie's Poppy Plates; March of Dimes; Molly Bears; RollerFuneral Homes; and UAMS Love Lives.

There is no charge to attend this event. Arkansas Children’s Hospitalwill provide LED votive lights for attendees. Roller Funeral Homes is sponsoring the searchlight for the event.

As part of the ceremony, DeYmaz will read from her book which was born from her own loss of a stillborn daughter in1995. With more than 100,000 copies sold to date, her book provides hope and comfort for parents who are grieving the loss of a child.

This day was proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in October 1988, as a day of remembrance for all babies who have died too soon due to miscarriage, stillbirths, neonatal death and other causes.

Allfamilies who have experienced the loss of a baby are invited to remember andhonor them.