by Jeff Ziegler
Special to The Tidewater News

FRANKLIN
Rob Inman loved life and was a giver in many ways.

As a little boy, he voluntarily went house to house, collecting money for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. As a teen, he chose to assist other Boy Scouts achieve their Eagle Scout award award instead of focusing on his own. As an adult, he volunteered and became employed as a public servant.

A firefighter at heart, he loved the University of Virginia Cavaliers, his toys, his friends and helping his community.

He loved and was loved by his wife, Holly; his mom, Barbara; and her husband, Billy. Inman died at the age of 39 from health complications.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, he will be remembered at the annual Candlelight Memorial Service sponosed by the Grief Group of the Children’s Center.

“When someone tells me a story about Rob or mentions his name, for a moment, he’s the air I breath. It is so wonderful,” his mom said.

The light of her life, Barbara is comforted when someone takes the time to say his name. Parents feel the loss of a child at any age. Parents expect to outlive their children. No matter the age, a child is always a child to a parent.

Holidays tend to be especially difficult for those in grief. The gaiety of the world seems to highlight the missing of one not present.

Being with others, saying a loved one’s name, taking home a candle to light on days when that person would be lighting up our lives gives ritual to the day. Having others share the memory of a child is indeed a gift to the grieving parents. Tears and laughter are welcome and shared among the participants.

This year’s Worldwide Candle Lighting Day of Remembrance for Children will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Development Center, 100 North College Drive.

The event is free of charge.

Parents, family and friends are invited to light a candle and say the name of a child who has died and forever changed our world.

Those in attendance may bring a memory item such as a picture or toy to place by your candle, and take your candle home and light it during the holiday season when you’re missing your child.

For more information about the ceremony or outreach, contact Rosalind Cutchins at 562-6806.

A monthly grief support meeting is held at the Texie Camp Marks Children’s Center, 700 Campbell Avenue, at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.