PROCTORVILLE — Some people were crying, some were smiling and many were doing both.

The 14th annual Holiday Memorial Program at Hall Funeral Home serves as a chance to celebrate a life that was lived, to comfort people’s sorrow and for people to comfort each other.

“This is a time for nurturing, healing and support,” Dr. Gary Patton, guest speaker, said. “My words will not vanquish your hurt, but I hope I can help a little bit.”

Angie George sang “How Great Thou Art” before Ernie Hall introduced Patton, who told the crowd they made a wise decision by coming to the event.

“Today you came to this place knowing the Hall family cares,” Patton said. “They, too, are dealing with a loss. When grief is fresh, any attempt to divert it only irritates it. We need to hurt, we need to grieve.”

Patton, a minister and mental development director at St. Mary’s, said in his address that great joy and great pain go hand in hand.

“Deep joy is one reason there is great pain,” he said. “When deep joy gets interrupted, we feel deep pain. There are some things death can’t interrupt, like love and memories. Someone you love might be gone, but your love for them never stops, and neither does their love for you. Death can’t disrupt love or memories.”

Hall said prior to the program that many people attend every year, but he always sees new faces as well. Afton Reedy, of Proctorville, was attending for the first time.

“My father-in-law passed away this year,” she said. “We are good friends of the Hall’s and have known about this for years and just felt the need to be here.”

Evan Hall and Ericca Hall Workman lit the “Tree of Life” and placed on it remembrance ornaments before George supplied more special music. A reception followed the program in the funeral home’s lounge.