By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Celebrating Christmas when a family’s child has died is difficult, no matter the age of the child or the parent.

The Hays Healing Hearts support group, headquartered at the Center for Life Experiences, 2900 Hall St., hosted its annual holiday Children’s Memorial Tree ornament hanging and dedication Saturday afternoon.

Frank Medina and his family were among the more than 20 parents, siblings and grandparents who attended the event. His two-year-old daughter Chloe, a triplet, died of leukemia two years ago.

“It was really nice,” Medina said.

“We read off the names of our children we have lost and then hung their ornament on the Christmas tree. We also read off the names of children whose families were not present. It is a great way for parents to know their children will always be remembered even if they are unable to attend the ceremony. At the end, we all held hands in a circle around the tree and said a prayer for our loved ones in heaven,” he said.

“It was very touching.”

The Children’s Memorial Tree tree is in the display window of Jackie Creamer’s The Dance Studio, 1003 Main, through the Christmas holiday.

(Photos courtesy Frank Medina)