Jacksonville, Florida

I've been pondering how to start this one for two days...I've decided that it's probably best to stop thinking about it and just dive in...so here it goes...
We got to town with a half hour to spare and decided to check into the motel. Something that we had never done before. That's where Monica got the news that Shonda's remains had been recovered. Krishonda Townsend from Mineral Wells, Texas. Her rally had been an emotional candlelight vigil held three days earlier. I remember the blog, my concerns for her son.. Shonda was a beautiful 19 year old mother when she disappeared some fifteen months ago.
We arrived at the church with heavy hearts, fully aware of the pain being experienced states away as Shonda's family was being notified by the police...
The entrance to the church held large color posters of some of the local missing. Plus the clothesline of flyers that we've become accustomed to seeing. The front of the church held the pictures of the six individuals that we were here to honor. This stop was being hosted by Finder's Hope and the family of Austin Davis. Austin's sister was wonderful in the role of emcee. Each family came up and lit a candle and spoke about their missing loved one.
Rosemary Day, 27 years old went missing in May 2011. Her car was found two months later. The newest case presented. The "freshest" family..I remember thinking...When does that change? At what point does that look go away?
John Rowan disappeared in February 2001. It's been ten years since his family last saw this 34 year old man who was both a husband and a father to two sons. He left for work one morning and was never seen again. His car was located one month later wiped clean of any possible evidence or fingerprints. These facts brought me back to memories of my late husband, although the circumstances are vastly different.. Yet..Danny left for work one morning and I never saw him again. His truck forever absent from my driveway. I can remember waking each morning thinking he was away on a trip, and then I would become fully awake and remember.
Joshua Smith is missing from Ponte Vedra Beach. He vanished in November 2000. He went missing on his 23rd birthday eleven years ago...
Bryan Hayes, 13, and Mark Degner, 12, went missing together in February 2005. They were last seen leaving their middle school. How do two boys vanish? Their mothers have had age progressions done. These preteens would now be near adults. Age progressions are an important tool, but they've bothered me on this trip. I think it's because of the amount of time that has gone by to make it necessary....and the consideration of what your child may look like now..
The last candle lit was for Michael Austin Davis. He was 26 years old when he was last seen in June 2007. His mother read a poem highlighting the amount of time Austin has been missing. I've listened to her recite this poem before and it retains it's powerful message. Each time she has to adjust it.. changing the years, months, days...
Elisa