Mesquite, Texas

The morning fog set the mood as we arrived at the rally stop for Lisa Stone. Hundreds of missing persons flyers hung on clotheslines surrounding a lake in a quiet peaceful park. The visual just took my breath away. Lisa's friends and the For the Love of Lisa Organization presented a very meaningful program. Sonny Franks, a local artist, I believe, sang the song "For the Love of Lisa"..that he had written for her. He told the crowd that all the proceeds would go to the cause. Speeches were given, tears were shed. Another stop in another town on our tour. NO. Each stop, each group of loved ones is different. Each has a different effect on me. There's a common thread, for sure, a bond that I will always have with those who have experienced having someone they love vanish. Every stop for me is like...I would compare it to meeting a relative for the first time..I've never met you before, but I know you, you are in my heart. At times when I see someone grieving, crying, tearing up, or just obviously in pain I just want to run up and envelope them. Comfort them, tell them it will be OK..But I can't, because it won't...you can offer hugs, a shoulder, an ear, support..But you can never take away their pain.
I got way off point there. I usually end with my thoughts...at a lot of stops people will show up who have a missing loved one. People not associated with CUE. Maybe they heard about it from the press, or saw a flyer. They are compelled to come. They show up clutching pictures, information on their missing loved one. I watch time and again as the rally hosts welcome them. Call them up during the program so that they too can share. This happened again at Lisa's stop. Two women carrying a picture and information on Brenda Oliver, a 55 year old woman who has been missing since July of 2008. They had read about the rally in the paper, gathered up their stuff and came down in the hope of getting some help. You could see how important it was to them...so we leave Mesquite adding another family to our fold..a group that continues to grow each day...a group no one would ever choose to join.
Elisa

I just read Monica's post. We usually write very differently...maybe we are spending to much time together....