Jalene's Candlelight Vigil..."I don't want to forget this night."

Tonight's Candlelight Vigil for Jalene was a warm, beautiful, gathering of family, friends and members of the community.  I don't even think many words are needed for this post.  Hopefully the pictures show the impact this precious little girl had on the community.  

 

 

 

One of my favorite pictures of the evening is this one below, of Jalene's great grandmother with her candle and yellow shirt, with this blooming yellow rose..  The family said that this rose bush never blooms, and today they walked out and sure enough, there was this big beautiful yellow rose.  Yellow is the color of "Team Jalene"...so this was a beautiful reminder from God, that Jalene is healed now in heaven.

 

 The family did a wonderful job speaking about Jalene.  They have been so gracious to share her journey with everyone and to now share this difficult time of their lives as well.  Even Rowan spoke.  He amazed me...he amazed us all  He stood up on a table in the front yard, in front of all of those people and told them about how he saw Jalene's angel the last time he saw her, and how the angel told him to not be scared, that God was taking her peacefully to Heaven.  So proud of that boy!  (I didn't get a picture of it because I was so taken aback that he was able to address a crowd this big so confidently, but if you caught the 10 pm KENS 5 News, or check it out online, you will see him speaking to everyone)

The street was filled with a sea of yellow shirts, candles and yellow balloons.  It was so peaceful and serene.

There was a table for all the beautiful posters and gifts people were bringing the family.  It was so sweet.

 Several members of the family and even one of the police officers started playing guitar and the crowd joined them singing a few special songs...it was very moving.  You could really feel a calm, healing spirit fill the air.

On several occasions, I caught Rowan looking up into the sky...

I can't thank the family enough for opening up their doors, their street, their lives, and allowing everyone to mourn and honor their beautiful daughter with them.

 

 Rowan had lots of wonderful people come up who just wanted to meet him or hug him, who told him how inspirational he was to them, how they loved reading his stories.  It was overwhelmingly special.  A few of them even had gifts for him...

Like a cross necklace that this young lady had prayed over for a year, and wanted Rowan to have it now...priceless!

And the prayer candle that this young lady wanted Rowan to take home...

And the special button that this family member of Jalene's wanted to pin on Rowan...

When we finally left, Rowan asked how many people I thought were there.  I said, "I don't know, what do you think like 200?"  He said, "Well then I just met like 200 amazing people."  I took lots of pictures and he kept telling me, "send me that one, and that one...send those all to me, I don't want to forget this night."

I don't want to forget this night either Rowan, I don't think anyone who attended ever will.  Nor will they ever forget Sweet Jalene, the one who brought them all there together.