On Wednesday, Oct. 15, a searchlight will light the night sky over Little Rock in observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
A special ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol. Representatives from local hospitals and bereavement organizations will be present to provide encouragement and support. Advocates include: Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Angel Mommies of Arkansas; Baptist Hospital of Arkadelphia; Baptist Hospital of NLR; Baptist Hospital of WLR; CHI St. Vincent; Cornerstone Clinic for Women; Healing Hearts; Holy Sews Inc.; Jumping for Jeffery; Linda DeYmaz, best-selling author of "Mommy, Please Don’t Cry: There Are No Tears in Heaven"; Mamie's Poppy Plates; March of Dimes; Molly Bears; Roller Funeral Homes and UAMS.
There is no charge to attend this event; however, attendees are encouraged to bring a battery operated light, as candles or other open flames are not allowed on the Capitol grounds. Roller Funeral Homes will be providing the searchlight for the event.
As part of the ceremony, DeYmaz will read from her book, which was born from her own loss of a stillborn daughter in 1995. With over 100,000 copies sold to date, her book provides hope and comfort for parents who are grieving the loss of a child.
This day was proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in October 1988, as a day of remembrance for all babies who have died too soon due to miscarriage, stillbirths, neonatal death and other causes.
All families who have experienced the loss of a baby are invited to remember and honor them. In case of inclement weather, please refer to the event page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/187054721494480/