Christmas Eve: Grieving families to ring bells for children
This Christmas Eve, bells will chime around the globe to honor the memory of children who have passed away.
Joseph Yeandle passed away at the age of three on December 27, 2021, after battling stage four neuroblastoma, a type of cancer he was diagnosed with.
In the previous year, the local community in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, rallied together to ring bells in honor of Joseph.
This year, people will be chime bells throughout the UK and even in places like the Netherlands, Texas, and Australia, all in honor of "all children in heaven," as mentioned by Joseph's aunt, Emma Rees.
After Joseph passed away, his family established a charity named Joseph's Smile to help support other children battling cancer.
On Monday, Ms. Rees shared with BBC Wales Breakfast that the inspiration for the idea came from an extraordinary event that took place on Christmas Eve, the year following his passing.
Joseph was excited about a plan to have a bell on a train, but unfortunately, it broke down.
Nonetheless, the people of Brynamman gathered with "hundreds" of bells at noon.
"They called out for Joseph," she shared. "Kate, Joseph's mom, and I looked at each other and agreed that this should become an annual event and should be done in honor of every child in heaven."
Ms. Rees mentioned that listening to the bells is an entirely different experience that provides immense hope and solace to families in mourning.
"We must continue to mention their names," she expressed. "One of the most profound fears for a parent who has lost a child is that their memory will fade away."
Her message to other families in mourning was: "You're not by yourselves; this is an incredibly tough time."
It's perfectly fine to put Christmas aside if you need to, but it's also completely normal to find joy in the season while feeling a sense of longing. Allow yourself to laugh when you feel like it, and don't hesitate to cry when you need to.
"Sadness is the cost of having loved someone."
