A Letter to my sister, Heidi M Allen ~ Part I

Last week three families reunited with their missing loved one after years of searching, hoping, and most importantly, praying. I read an article in yesterday’s Sunday paper about the effect of such recoveries on families still waiting for answers. A recovered missing person isn’t new but to have three such miracles on the same day and from the same location…remarkable. M-I-R-A-C-L-E is all that comes to my mind, God answers prayer and is still performing miracles.

Continue to pray for Amanda, Gina, and Michelle’s health, healing, their re-entry and adjustment to living and interacting with their family and communities. I can’t imagine the journey yet to be traveled by these strong women and their families but I know each time God places them on my heart, a prayer will be lifted.

An encouraging factor to me is there is evidence it’s possible for all three of them, and Amanda’s daughter, to have successful lives. Alicia Kozakiewicz, Elizabeth Smart, and Jaycee Dugard come to mind ~ each have extended words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement to Amanda, Gina, and Michelle over the past few days. These young women understand and have a common bond; they survived horrific circumstances that no child should experience. 

Each exhibit and exemplify strength, perseverance, selflessness, and answered prayer. Their recoveries remind the families of the missing to continue to hope because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring or when God will bring our loved ones back to us, or the circumstances surrounding their return. Some will be found deceased, others alive, and some will still be missing when their parents and siblings breath their last breath on this earth.

It is the aspect and possibility that Heidi might be alive somewhere that triggers a different thought process for me. My only sister disappeared on April 3, 1994 and is presumed dead yet as I reflect on last week’s events…”presumption” isn’t a definitive. What if Heidi is alive? Would she know how much we love and miss her? What if she is able to access the Internet and read this blog ~ does she know we haven’t given up hope?

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I understand the reality of Heidi’s absence because of kidnapping. Each day, month, and year she remains missing lessens the chance our family and community will obtain “closure” or learn where she is. Yet last week’s recoveries ignite a desire to express how much I miss and love my sister in the form of a letter in tomorrow’s blog. Heidi is presumed dead, and with logical thinking, she is most likely dead and I won’t see her again in this lifetime. BUT, if she is alive and held captive somewhere ~ I want her to know that although I live and accept her presumption of death ~ she is and always will be my only sister, one I love and miss.

In case Heidi is one of God’s miracles waiting to happen, I will share a letter written from one sister to another on tomorrow’s blog. If Heidi was able to find this blog, may she know I haven’t given up hope ~ just accepted a new reality. This might not make sense to some, yet the waiting family understands.

Be sure to read tomorrow’s blog and my note to Heidi.

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Who could you write a letter to this week?