A light is shining around the world -- a glow that started in New Zealand and is traveling the globe. It is the candlelight of the Compassionate Friends, a worldwide support group for those who have lost a child.

The wave of light across the world is in memory of children who died but have not been forgotten.

Colleen Blanchard, with Compassionate Friends, lights a candle for not one but three sons.

She says, "When a parent dies, you are losing your past. And when a spouse dies you are losing your present. But when a child dies it is the most profound death you can experience because that is your future."

Christopher died of a lung disorder at four days. Thirty-five-year-old Brent died of a heart attack. Thirty-one-year old Darren died in a motorcycle accident.

Every person in the Compassionate Friends group knows how she feels because they've experienced the same loss.

Pat Langford says, "Sometimes there's rage. A lot of times there's fear that it will happen again in this family. Once you've lost a child you know how painful that is and you fear that may happen again."

Langford lost her daughter Lesa to cancer just before she turned eight.

She says the rage grew, until she helped organize North Platte's Compassionate Friends chapter. Now she's active in the monthly meetings of the Omaha chapter.

Pat says, "Sometimes we find people will not say a word the first two or three meetings and then they open up because they recognize other people are opening up and that it helps."

Colleen Blanchard says, "You never forget and you never get over it to speak. But you learn to set a new normal for your life."

Even in the season of joy, Compassionate Friends will be there for whatever emotions come through.

The group welcomes anyone who has lost a child. They meet once a month. You can contact the group by calling 571-4011 or you can visit the Web site.