The death of a child is always hard, but every holiday thereafter can be especially tough on the surviving parents. Next Sunday, many of them will gather in mutual support to “honor the memory of all children gone too soon,” as The Compassionate Friends website puts it.

Locally, Cindy Parra is arranging for a gathering at Lake Roosevelt Elementary.

Parra’s 16-year-old daughter, Amy, died in a car wreck 16 years ago.

“I guess you learn to cope with it, but you never get over it,” she said. “Holidays are hard.”

Parra is arranging for locals who want to join an annual worldwide candle lighting are welcome to do so at 7 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 9, but should arrive by 6:30 to make a luminary — a white paper bag that will have the name of a child on it. Battery-operated candles will be available so children can safely make a luminary too.

Photos can also be emailed to Parra at cparra@gcdsd.org for an ongoing slideshow that night. Every child’s name will be mentioned and remembered, Parra said.