Finding Mikayla by Samantha Christy

Author:Samantha Christy [Christy, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Athena Books Publishing Group
Published: 2014-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Candlelight service.

At least now we know what to call it. As our residents crowd into and around the open courtyard in the center of camp, there is a lot of speculation over what is going on. This is by far the largest gathering we’ve had in the year that we’ve all been together.

To the right of the courtyard, a massive white party tent has been erected, under which are hundreds, maybe thousands of helium balloons in every color imaginable. Next to the tent are dozens of tables that house numerous boxes of candles. Upon closer inspection, I recognize the candles as being similar to the small ones used by my former church on special occasions such as Christmas Eve.

We find Evan in the crowd and he tells us that over the past month, the supply runs have included stopping at every church and party store they could find to prepare for tonight’s event.

“But balloons?” someone nearby asks in disgust. “This isn’t a celebration, Evan.”

Evan puts a comforting hand on the man’s shoulder. “Just wait, George. Claire will explain everything in just a few minutes.”

We gather around a podium and try to shush the children so everyone can hear Claire’s voice in the absence of a microphone. Thank goodness for the bullhorn she has up to her mouth.

“Welcome, everyone,” she starts. “Thank you for coming to our candlelight service. I don’t need to explain why we are all here, so I’ll get right to the gist of it since I can see you’re all wondering about the balloons.”

The crowd is eerily quiet as we wait for her explanation. “Of course, you can do as you wish, but the committee thought that the candles would be good to remember those loved ones that are missing. You may light a candle to show your continued hope of the return of a loved one. The flame represents life, life that we haven’t yet given up on; life that we hope still burns brightly somewhere out there; life that we pray will someday make it back to us.”

Already, there are audible sobs along with many more silent tears from most people in the crowd.

“The balloons signify those that we’ve lost. Now, I’m not going to preach to you or tell you what to believe. I can only speak for myself when I say that I will release a balloon for my husband, Jeffrey, in hopes that it reaches him in heaven where he is surely looking down upon me this very second.” Her voice cracks and a tear slips out of her eye. “Most of us here never had the opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one. There were no burials to attend. No services at which to grieve. Let this be your closure. Let this also be the day we celebrate the lives of those that are still with us. Let us cherish what we have and not take anything or anyone for granted.”

No one moves. I don’t know if anyone is even breathing.

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