All I know is when I was there I didn’t realize the emotions would take over me as they did. Thousands of people crowded by the shoreline holding their lantern waiting for the word to light it and set it on the water showing how much they still very much love and care for the ones who have passed.

Luckily, as I entered the beach and got swallowed in by the crowd I found a couple friends that I stuck with. I’m not sure I could have taken any photos without them with me. I was a mess. I stood next to a young boy holding his lantern that he had written a letter on the side.  Next to it a photograph of a teenage boy. I quickly glanced at the handwriting and it was to his cousin saying how much he missed him and the things he was up to. At that moment I felt guilty holding my camera. I felt guilty for not participating as I too have lost love ones that I felt I needed to float a lantern for.

As we got closer to floating the lantern everyone started to light their candles. The mood in the air changes a little as the crowd starts to get excited. About 2000 glowing lanterns waited their turn to be pushed off shore taking with them prayer requests, memories, and messages from the ones left behind.

The first lanterns are released and there are tears but a lot of smiles as each family gets their turn knowing that they’ll be able to have that connection. It is so wonderful to be able to say a few things and know it’ll be heard. It adds to our healing of losing someone.

Next year I want to take pictures but I want more to float a lantern for the ones that have gone before me. Just to let them know if they don’t know already that I still love them and think of them. That I’ll never forget them. Until we meet again…