It Was A Very Special Night

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Posted by: Steve Hardwick
Date: Dec 07 2019 7:18 PM

The Fourth Annual Candlelight Vigil at the Angel Of Hope Statue had a wonderful turnout.

The heavy pouring rain stopped about 1 hour before the vigil started.
Once Again....God answered my prayers?

Our Wiregrass Angel Of Hope President Alicia Hayes never ceases to amaze me.
After recently finding out her cancer had returned she still made it to the vigil and stayed til the very last candle was picked up and put away.
There’s no doubt where her son Cody got his loving and giving heart from.

Pastor Johnny Fain who recently retired after many years of devoted service at Dothan’s First Baptist Church promised me that even though he and his wonderful wife Debbie would be moving to the Birmingham area he would still always return to Dothan for the Annual Candlelight Vigil.
And He Kept His Promise.

For the 4th time at every vigil Jane Saliba read her beautiful and heartfelt poem...Band Of Angels.

Wanda Knight did an excellent job singing two beautiful songs at the vigil and the Friends Choir who has been there for us at every vigil once again put on a awesome performance.
It was a special night for all of the members of the Friends Choir because they recently lost one of their own very special members...Lakeebie Taylor.

Lakeebie loved to give hugs and I am so thankful that twice I was the recipient of one her special hugs.

Mayor Mark Saliba spoke to the parents and family members who attended along with Dustin Riverbark who is the youth pastor at Watermark church and also a grieving parent who lost a child from pregnancy loss.

I was amazed to learn that two families came to last night’s vigil from far away.
Ben and Lauren Greene drove all the way from Gadsden Alabama to attend the vigil for their precious daughter Rozlyn Greene who was recently called to Heaven after a Heroic battle with cancer. They gave me a precious gift to keep in my home..a framed photo collage of their dear Rozlyn. And yes I will hold on to it forever.

Dylan Buehler and his wife Angelica came all the way from Norfolk Virginia where he is stationed. They lost their precious baby boy Elijah just a few days after he was born. They left a picture of Elijah at the Angel Of Hope and today Joyce Wallace, who recently lost her daughter and my dear friend Hope, took Elijahs picture home to put in a nice frame and returned it to the Angel Of Hope.

I know many more would have attended the vigil but didn’t want to risk getting sick from the rainy and cold weather.

Thank you again to all who attended the vigil and placed a carnation and candle at the Angel in remembrance of your precious child.

We know that one of your greatest fears is that your child will be forgotten...
And We Say To You...Not If We Can Help It!!!

Merry Christmas To All
I Love You
Steve Hardwick

Wiregrass Angel Of Hope

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