On December 14, The Compassionate Friends of West Ventura County gathered with families and community members at Portside Ventura Harbor for their annual Worldwide Candle Lighting event, honoring children who have died too soon. The gathering was part of a global remembrance held each year on the second Sunday in December, when families around the world light a candle at 7 p.m. local time, creating a continuous wave of light in honor of children who are gone but never forgotten.
The evening provided a supportive space for families and friends to come together in remembrance. Families created photo displays of their children, each one telling a unique story of love, loss, and lasting connection. Each family brought their child’s favorite dessert to share, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the evening. As each child’s name was spoken, a candle was lit in their memory, filling the room with warmth, reflection, and quiet understanding.
Slideshows played throughout the evening on three screens, displaying photos of the children being remembered. Performances by Jesse Davis on classical guitar and Simone Vitucci on Cello demonstrated the peace and comfort music can bring during a deeply emotional night…