The Wave of Light: Holding Space for Grief and Love
“The grief that comes from losing a baby too soon is often quiet, private, and unseen. But for the families who carry it, that grief is heavy and real.”
Some kinds of grief don’t have easy words. The grief that comes from losing a baby too soon is often quiet, private, and unseen. But for the families who carry it, that grief is heavy and real.
Whether you’ve lost a baby during pregnancy, during birth, or in the first precious weeks or months of life, we invite you to bring your grief into the light, to be witnessed and supported. Gather with us for a gentle community embrace at our second annual Wave of Light ceremony this October.
What is the Wave of Light?
The Wave of Light is a global candlelight vigil that honors families who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, childbirth, or infancy. It takes place each year on October 15 – Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Families around the world light a candle at 7 PM in their local time zone. A beautiful wave of light then circles the globe, symbolizing a shared grief that unites us across countries and continents. It is a quiet, flickering tribute to tiny souls that made enormous impacts.
Shining a Light on Pregnancy and Infant Loss
The Wave of Light comes in the middle of a month dedicated to breaking the silence around the grief that comes from losing a baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or infancy. In a world that wants to minimize our grief and rush our healing, the Wave of Light offers an opportunity to pause. It gives us a moment to remember, to honor the brief lives of our little ones, and to share our stories if we want them heard.
Last year, we hosted the Wave of Light in Kearney. It was a clear fall evening, with crisp leaves on the ground and a sunset only October can provide. The Shockitanos played for us, and their music brought a peaceful ambiance to the event. Families filtered in, and we chatted and enjoyed snacks together. At 7, we shared a moment of silence and lit our candles. As the night drew on, a sense of community and togetherness grew, as we all remembered – together.
Some parents wanted to share their stories, and strangers brought together by their own personal tragedies began to open their hearts to one another. Some wrote messages of continued love and longing for their little ones. Others simply sat in quiet reflection. The Wave of Light offered families the opportunity to be seen. In this space, their stories mattered. Their babies mattered. Their grief mattered.
Join the Wave of Light
If you know the pain and heartbreak of losing a baby, we invite you to join us for a special night of remembrance and community. On October 15, we’ll be hosting our second annual Wave of Light ceremony. This event is open to anyone touched by pregnancy and infant loss – parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and supporters.
There will be live music to soothe and hold space for reflection. Each family can reserve a keepsake candle to light during the ceremony. We will have space for you to speak your baby’s name and share your story if you would like to. Doulas will be available to hold space and offer a listening ear to those who want to speak. We also have resources available for continuing support, so no one has to go forward alone.
Whether your loss was yesterday or many years ago, you are welcome. Don’t worry about having a plan or having the right words to say. Come as you are, and be held for a moment.
Message us to RSVP and reserve your candle. Check out the Facebook event here.
