A giant tree stands inside Steinbach's Clearspring Centre, honouring lost loved ones.
    
For the last twelve years the Regional Health Authority has put up the Memory Tree. "The Holidays can be a difficult time for people experiencing grief and bereavement at the loss of a loved one, especially if it's the first holiday season without that family member or friend," says Kathy McPhail, Chief Executive Officer for Southern Regional Health Authority. "Finding special ways to remember our loved ones can be very helpful for family and friends. The Memory Tree is one way of honouring our need to remember those we miss at this significant time of year."

Palliative Care Specialist Anne Plett (left inset) invites the public to decorate the tree with a personalized message honouring the memory of a loved one. "It is quite a ritual and a very meaningful ritual when you write the name of the loved one on the card and then go and hang it," says Plett.

Plett admits it amazes her how many cards are on the tree by the time the program ends at Christmas. "Last year I think we had a record number of cards on the tree," she says. "I think it was almost five hundred."

The tree will be up until December 23rd. "After that we will dispose of the cards in a very meaningful and ritualistic way," notes Plett.

A special ceremony was held December 3rd to launch the start of this year's program.

The Southern Regional Health Authority offers a free 24 hour, 7 days per week Crisis Response Service support line that people can confidentially call at (204) 326-9276 or (toll free) 1-888-617-7715. Someone is always available to talk. Voluntary donations to the Memory Tree program will be used in support of the Palliative Care Comfort Basket project. Handouts on managing grief and bereavement during the holidays are available at the Memory Tree throughout December.