Community members are invited to participate in a Walk to Remember, which marks National Bereavement Day.
Hosted by the Langley Hospice Society and Langley Division of Family Practice, this is the third annual walk being held at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Shannon Todd Booth, executive director at Langley hospice, said it’s held in recognition of National Bereavement Day and to acknowledge those who have been impacted by the death of a loved one.
It started in 2021, just after the atmospheric rivers hit the Fraser Valley, and Todd Booth said the walk has been symbolic itself of moving forward in our lives.
“Unfortunately our community has experienced loss in different ways, and holding space for those who are grieving is important work,” she said.
Last year’s event saw about 150 people attend, an increase of the first year’s 70.
“These have been challenging times for so many, and we want you to know that you’re not alone,” she said.
A memorial ornament has been created featuring dogwood flower on weather friendly synthetic paper so it can be personalized and hung on site at the arbouretum.
“This artwork is a small way to acknowledge grief and loss individually and as a community,” Todd-Booth said.
She added that the goal is to provide an opportunity for people to share and support one another, acknowledge individual and collective losses, and to remember loved ones “as we continue to move through these challenging times as a community.”
People can stop by after 3 p.m. next Tuesday to create a personalized ornament and hang it around the arbouretum, which has memorial gardens. Local music groups have been invited to perform in small groups onsite throughout the afternoon.
“Members of the community can join us at 3 p.m. to do the walk before dark as well,” Todd Booth noted.
The candlelit memorial walk is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and anyone is invited to participate and walk at their own pace. The path will be lined with lights, lanterns, and ornaments hung on the trees.
Ornaments can also be picked up in advance at the hospice office, located at 20660 48th Ave.
“We want all of the Langleys to get involved, and to participate in their own ways, and to come together to acknowledge the losses we’ve all experienced,” Todd-Booth said.
Hot chocolate will be given out to visitors to help keep warm.
Hung ornaments remain at the arbouretum for one week after the event.
The Derek Doubleday Arboretum is located at 21177 Fraser Hwy.
Langley Hospice Society offers assistance for people coping with grief.
For more information, people can visit langleyhospice.ca or call 604-530-1115 or email info@langleyhospice.ca.
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