{My prayer flag for Christian along with all the stories that came with each prayer flag from around the world}
Before I head off for the weekend I wanted to share an update on the ceremony we had last Sunday. It all went beautifully. We had around 150 people come to share the evening with us. There was only one let down. The weather.
Unfortunately due to the strong winds, stormy sky and rain we were not able to hold the ceremony on the beach as first planned so we held it in a hall across the road from the beach. I cried for 2 hours over this. I felt that my dream that had now become so many others dreams had been crushed. It wasn’t until the evening that I realized that it really would not have been possible to do it all at the beach anyway as there were just too many flags.
The ceremony was still so very heartwarming. It just wasn’t the one we had planned. We displayed the 333 prayer flags which turned the hall into a magnificent art gallery.It was a breath-taking site that brought many tears to everyone’s eyes.
We had people attend the ceremony who were not directly affected by a loss but were there to represent friends from overseas who had sent us in prayer flags. We had people fly over from interstate for the ceremony too which I still cannot believe. It was such an emotional evening for me to meet so many new people. I struggled through tears to get through my speeches. We read poems, there was a memorial tribute video presentation, I read aloud my latest article from Still Standing Magazine and I spoke about the importance of making noise about pregnancy, infant and child loss so that we continue to break the silence. To conclude the ceremony we held a balloon release just outside before the rain began. The balloons seem to disappear so very quickly. After that we (thanks to my very gorgeous Luminous Light volunteers) put on a supper for everyone and people spent sometime walking around our AMAZING art gallery. We sent everyone home with a self-care package which included a thank you note along with a chamomile tea bag, a scented tea light candle and a sunset/twilight meditation to help people calm their hearts after such an emotional evening.
Over the next couple of weeks I will be taking all of the flags as promised to the beach at sundown to photograph them individually by candlelight. I will be creating alphabetical albums for them to all go up in on facebook so it will be relatively easy for you to find your own flags. I will begin this journey this Sunday evening.
To everyone that helped us out on the evening, I am eternally grateful. Thank you. And to the families of the 333 prayer flags, all my love, peace and blessings to you. I look forward to photographing your babies and children’s prayer flags. I will light a candle for them. Thank you for being a part of my dream.
You’re a gem. I wish the weather was nicer for you guys, but life is unpredictable like that – don’t we know it! You truly are an angel on earth, Carly dearest.
xo
It sounds absolutely lovely! Planned or not – and sometimes the things that step outside of our plans turn out even more spectacular. <3
It was an incredible evening carly, the time and effort you put in to organising the event will not go unrecognised. You are loved and appreciated by families all over the world! I am honoured to have been able to be a part of it. Love and light to you my friend xoxoxo
So beautiful! I am sad I was not able to get a prayer flag for Emma and Chase to you in time, but I have loved seeing the flags that were displayed. Such a lovely, lovely idea. I love your huge heart, Carly! xo
Thank you! It sounds like it went exactly like it was suppose to go…beautiful! Thanks for your hard work and vision to represent my sweet Sam who I never got to hold. Blessings to you and all your helpers!
are there any pictures from the event? I’m so anxious to see them, even if i didnt get the chance to send in a flag
I get goosebumps just reading about the evening. It must have been so beautiful. Thank you for letting me be part of your dream. I look forward to pictures.
Oh Carly. Just reading this brings me to tears. I can only imagine how powerful seeing all the flags strung together must have been. You are amazing my friend. <3
Carly thank you so much for everything you do. You made me cry reading all of this..
You truly are an amazing woman and I’ll always be forever grateful. Thank YOU!!XOXO
What a beautiful way to honour and remember all the babies. the weather just shows us that life is not perfect and sometimes we cant plan for these things, but with strength you went ahead and did something very special for so many things. love and light.
Thank you for doing this for us & for recognizing our precious babies.
Carly, you are such an amazing person all that you do for this community of mothers you have helped me by setting up the capture your grief project and you inspire me to want to help others in this community too. Thank you
I have tears in my eyes, as I say “thank you”. This is such an amazing thing that you did for so many grieving families – so much love, and so much healing.
It was a very moving evening and my boys loved the balloon release and seeing all the prayer flags. Thank you so much for organising
333! WOW! Amazing and bittersweet too. Thank you!
Thank you! Thea’s name was there too on ciaolapo’s prayer flag.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I can’t wait to see Ava’s flag. One day we will make it to your ceremony. I can only imagine how emotional it was.
Thank you, such a beautiful way to honour our babies, you do such important work Carly, you are a truely beautiful soul. I’m sad I didn’t know in time to send you a prayer flag for Lily, but still look forward to seeing the photos, I made a flag myself for her at home, and sent her name for your rememberance book. This time last year I was in hospital being induced, I didn’t want to let her go, it took 4 days before I was ready to let her leave my body. This is a hard week but you have made it so much more bearable and beautiful, THANK YOU. Blesings to you and all your helpers x
Carly you are truly amazing, sending you a big huge hug to let you know how eternally grateful I am. Thank you so much, such a beautiful way to remember and honor all our precious and much loved babies who left this world far too soon. I would also like to thank all your luminous light friends and all the volunteers who helped make the ceremony such a special one, wish I could have been there. I cant wait to see the photos xxx
Beautiful. My babies prayer flag flies together with so many and in so much love. Thank you. xo Suzanne
333… It just blows my mind. The amount of work, and EMOTION you pour into your craft is amazing. The things you do for the amazing, grief stricken families across the world (including me, and mine) is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
I hope next year I am able to take part in whatever you are hosting. I feel privileged to say I know you
Sending love…and I hope for good weather. Can’t wait to see all the flags on FB.
Your kind heart, your comfort words, your beautiful soul, your amazing act of kindness…. always left me speechless. You, Carly, are my inspiration & role model! <3 I can't wait to see my precious baby Acacius' flag and more gorgeous photos of the ceremony itself. Thanks a lot, Carly!
thank you Carly I look forward to seeing my flag my sisters and my mums who have all been touched by baby loss …. ♥♥♥
What you have done means so much! Making the flag was a huge part of my healing. Thank you, Carly.
Thank you so much for doing this, Carly. I can only imagine the emotion at this event. You have honored our babies so graciously and beautifully. XOXO <3
So Many are So Grateful for all you are doing to help grieving hearts.<3
Thank you. I cannot wait to see Lakeleigh's flag … Thank You.
I do believe that YOU are an Angel on Earth Carly. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you say … all that you do & all that you are!!! You are truly one-in-a-million. And I send love & light to you. Blessed be.
Thank you Carly – I share your loss, I share your dedication, I love your passion, work…
Angel Mum to Amya Mirica, Wordly Mum to Ananda Mae
Twin sister in heaven and on earth…
I bet it was so, so beautiful!