This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
A rose of either red or white was placed into each person's hand when they entered the room. At the base of the altar, were nine frames with a single name except the last. The last was reserved for the unknown.
On Monday, Dec. 17, HOPE and Journey Church held a memorial service to recognize and remember the names of eight people who suffered from homelessness in Longmont. Each of those individuals passed away in 2018. The ninth frame was set out to identify that there are still some whose names no one knows but should still be remembered.
Each year, the National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Consumer Advisory Board and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council encourage communities across America to remember those suffering from homelessness who have passed on by holding a service on or near the longest night of the year, Dec. 21.
"Although the Boulder community has traditionally held an annual homeless memorial in December, HOPE felt it was important the Longmont community have its own chance to grieve and remember those who passed away this year," states HOPE.
“These individuals are not forgotten. They have left lasting memories with us and deserve to be remembered,” said Alice Sueltenfuss, HOPE navigation services director and event organizer.
The evening began with some touching words from Pastor Rick Ebbers. He then asked everyone to place their petals in the bowls as a sign of love and remembrance.
The audience quieted to a respectful silence as gentle music ushered in the procession of those who remembered. As bowls filled with petals sounds of sobs broke through the calm. Tears leaked from the eyes as the line of people filled the bowls with individual rose petals as simple tokens of their love.
Following the procession, Pastor Ebbers talked about the importance of a name. He remarked that just because these individuals found themselves without homes and living on the streets, it does not mean they are less. It does not mean they have less value, for we are all the same and we all deserve to be remembered and to have someone not only remember our name but also say it.
Then he read:
Tim Arnold
Nicole Dust
Katherine Rogers
Ben Fueston
Gordon Kolisnyk
Glenn Tefft
Dominic Peterson
Brent Gruis
Closing the memorial, Pastor Ebbers invited the crowd to share their memories of those eight people who passed on this year. Each story was mixed with tears of sadness and joy, and sobs and laughter as each was recounted with love.
