At Orford House, the care team has hosted its second poignant Christmas Lights of Love memorial celebration of love, life, happiness and remembrance for families of residents who are no longer with them. The care team welcomed relatives and friends of past residents to the heartfelt commemorative evening which took place on Monday 15th December. Current residents and their family members also joined the gathering to celebrate, remember and reminisce about the lives and loves of those who are no longer with them.
“The Christmas Lights of Love was a beautiful and moving occasion,” said Michelle Kennett, the Registered Manager at Orford House. “It was extremely special for us all to come together and not only remember, but celebrate, the memory of the residents who have sadly passed away over the years. This is the second year we have hosted The Christmas Lights of Love, continued Michelle. “Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones and bring back strong feelings, coupled with old and happy memories. We totally understand and appreciate this, which is why we began the annual celebration.”
“At Orford House we really are a family. The care team members and I are still close to all the relatives of our past residents so, to be able to bring everyone together to remember and express feelings and emotions – and most of all – celebrate our past residents in a happy environment is a wonderful thing to be able to do.” The Christmas Lights of Love evening began at The Christmas Lights of Love Memorial Tree, where the residents and family members of past residents wrote messages of love to their lost loved ones on angel-shaped displays, then hung them on the tree. “Once the tree was adorned with all the personal messages, The Reverend Father Peter Mansfield from St Aidan’s Catholic Church said the ‘Prayer of the Faithful Scripture Reading Souls of the Faithful Departed May They Rest in Peace’. It was a touching and poignant Remembrance Service which was followed by a joyous Carol Concert which everyone thoroughly enjoyed,” added Michelle.
“One of the lovely gifts of Christmas is the gift of being able to create meaningful and personal traditions which honour and respect the absence of lost relatives,” said Mary Bradley, the Activities Coordinator at Orford House. “The thoughtful and reflective, but cheerful Christmas Lights of Love event, was a warm-hearted and loving gathering and really was an ideal way for relatives to remember their loved ones and the happy Christmases they shared amongst friends.”
“The Orford House Care Team and I are very grateful to all the relatives who came along and hope that in some small way, The Christmas Lights of Love evening gave them peace and happiness,” concluded Michelle.
Find out more about Orford House care home by calling 020 8660 2875 or emailing [email protected].