Hope shines at HONI Tree Lighting Ceremony

COEUR d’ALENE — Eric Ladwig, the executive director at Hospice of North Idaho, knew Thursday night’s Tree Lighting Ceremony was an emotional time for many.  

“Lost. What an interesting word,” Ladwig said as he addressed attendees.

Ladwig explained how "lost" can mean a number of different things — but the meaning becomes much heavier when someone loses a loved one.  

“All of a sudden, ‘lost’ means something very different,” Ladwig said.  

About 100 people joined the HONI staff for their 43rd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Attendees honored the memories of loved ones by hanging ornaments donning their names, lighting candles and partaking in a luminary walk on HONI’s grounds.

“This is in memory of those that have left this life and moved on to the next one. That’s what I like to believe,” said Danyne Corbett. “In a way, this is a beautiful Christmas gift for them too.”

HONI offers bereavement services free of charge to everyone who needs them, not just those connected to the agency.

“I’m just so happy that we’re able to open this up to everybody,” said bereavement coordinator Abigail Briggs. “Grief can be really isolating.”

“This is a place for people to feel those emotions as a community,” Ladwig told The Press. “To be in a room of people all experiencing the same thing is really what this is all about.”

Ladwig reminded attendees that there is another four-letter word that eventually follows loss: hope. 

"Isn't it a miracle, how hope can swoop in and lift," Ladwig said.

    Attendees of Thursday night's Tree Lighting Ceremony at HONI lit candles in memory of loved ones that have passed.
  

    Attendees took a luminary walk on the HONI grounds following Thursday night's Tree Lighting Ceremony.