Join us on Thursday, October 15 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on the Mariposa Courthouse lawn as we participate in a 'Wave of Light' to remember the babies who left before us. Candle lighting will begin at 7:00 p.m. We will place our lit candles in front of the Courthouse near the steps. Candles will remain lit for one hour. Refreshments will be offered once candles are placed.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated October as Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month – an action that launched the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement. Although over a quarter century has passed, this issue remains prevalent as, each year, approximately a million pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of the newborn child.

Did you know that:

• One in four pregnancies ends in the loss of a baby
  
  
• The loss of a child is recognized as the most intense cause of grief
  
  
• Parents never "get over" the loss of a child – no matter the age
  
  
• Parents experiencing grief without supportive care can have debilitating consequences such as PTSD, depression and anxiety that could further result in job loss, divorce, difficulties in daily living, or impediments with parenting of living children 

The loss of a child stays with a family forever, but the emotional and physical impacts are often challenging for others to truly understand. Having support through grief is paramount to recovery. Raising awareness is the first step to accessing available help. The goal is to help families through their grief and to find healthy ways to integrate their loss into their lives.

Events across the country take place each October and help people to better empathize and support parents on their journey to hope.

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