Hundreds gather at Lancaster County ‘Wave of Light’ to remember babies who died too soon

LANCASTER COUNTY, Neb. (KLKN) – On Sunday, across the world, families remembered babies taken too soon for the Global Wave of Light.

In eastern Lancaster County at the Deer Springs Winery, the organization No Footprint Too Small hosted its annual event for families who lost babies.

Over 100 people showed up to the winery to light lanterns for those babies they or their loved ones have lost.

At 7 p.m. across the globe, families light a candle or a lantern and keep it burning for an hour, creating a continuous “wave of light”.

No Footprint Too Small puts on the event every year for families to remember their loved ones.

Rachel Schaben, a member of No Footprint Too Small’s board of directors, said sometimes multiple generations will attend to remember their lost children.

“On top of that will be grandparents aunts, uncles, siblings, extended family here to support those families as well,” she said.

Schaben said when a baby passes away, it can cause a ripple effect, and everyone will grieve differently.

The hosts, the owners of Deer Springs Winery, had lost a family member, too.

Theo passed away in May, and his grandmother and other family members were there to honor him.

His grandmother said she finds comfort in being with so many others who are going through or have gone through the same grief.