Light up a Life offers a time to
remember, honor, and show appreciation for loved ones
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[December 10, 2016]
LINCOLN
- On Tuesday evening the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation and
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital hosted the annual Light up a Life
service at the hospital on the Woods Patio. Following the service,
attendees were welcomed into the Steinfort conference rooms for a
soup supper.
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The evening began with music provided on electric piano by David
Helm. Chaplain Donna Berte offered up the opening prayer and
comments before guests were invited to light a candle in memory of
loved ones lost.
Berte encouraged each person as they lit their candle to whisper to
themselves or their neighbor the name of the person they held in
their heart and memory.
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Angie Whitman read the traditional poem, “Light a Candle.” The poem
has become a mainstay of this service and through its words reminds
us that though loved ones are gone from this world, they remain with
us daily in our hearts.
“I’ll always be here day and night,
A candle flickers, out of sight,
But in your heart, I still burn bright."
The poem also reminds us to be happy, to enjoy our good memories and
remember all the good things we shared with those who are now gone.
This year the white tree on the far side of the patio was lit in
memory of Eddie Camp. Berte spoke of this kind and funny lady who
has now passed, sharing memories of her gathered from friends who
knew her very well, and remember her now in the spirit of the poem
with “gladness and joyous cheer.”
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Berte invited everyone to turn toward the tree as it was lit and join in the
singing of the traditional Christmas hymn “O Christmas Tree.”
Berte then asked that everyone join in singing “Silent Night” after she
delivered the closing prayer. When the song was finished, guests gathered in the
Steinfort Rooms to enjoy a light supper, and spend time together remembering
those they were honoring on that night, and sharing those memories as they
visited with friends.
In addition to the ceremony, the Light Up a Life program is a fundraising
campaign for the hospital foundation. Donations are given in memory of loved
ones lost, but also in honor and appreciation of caregivers and hospital staff
who helped lessen the struggle for patients and families through their loving
care.
Each year, more than 2,000 people are honored or memorialized through this
campaign. The dollars gained through the campaign are used for a variety of
things, including adding new equipment to the hospital, and furthering the
education of current staff, and offering scholarships to local students, who in
turn vow to return to the hospital for the start of their medical careers.
The Light up a Life campaign includes publication of the names of those donating
and the person or persons whom the donation honors. Lincoln Daily News is proud
to offer this publication to the community through its Light up a Life online
magazine. Look for that publication to come out at Christmas and remain
available through the month of January.
[Nila Smith] |