The rally stop for Hope Meek was held outside a Fire Rescue Station in a small town in Texas. This is not where she went missing from, but where her extended family resides. Hope was 25 years old with three small children when she vanished from her home in Valliant Oklahoma in 2002. Her vehicle, cell, keys, and prescription glasses were still in the home. She was missing five days before the police were contacted.
So there we were nine years later with her family who not only need answers about her disappearance but have also been denied contact with her children who were six and under when Hope went missing.
It seems...When we see children of the missing yearning for their missing parents it breaks our hearts, but this other side happens frequently. Family members of the missing denied contact by the custodial parent. Often there's conflict...Allegations...Suspicions...But..Those children are being denied access to the people who knew their missing parent best...who loved them most....Another thing to ponder..What are they being told? Do they believe left behind? That they were walked out on? Do they know how much they were loved? They have not only lost that parent but an entire side to their family..
The candlelight service was especially moving in the darkness. Hope's family included many children, each of whom wanted a candle to hold for their aunt. As they gathered around our banner for the family picture the candles illuminated all their faces. It's one of my favorite pictures from the tour. As everyone took off we stayed behind longer than usual. The next day was to be a travel day and for once we weren't in any particular rush. I sense this must be an old case for Monica. I can see the bond between her and Hope's sister who stayed behind, alone, to talk. She's studying domestic violence investigations now...She has a purpose beyond finding out what happened to Hope.
Elisa
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