August 14th - 25 Years

S'te worked hard all summer putting the commemoration for the 25th Anniversary of the last time we talked or was with Jeremy.  After their breakneck trip down and her family reunion was over she went into high gear on  all the last minute modifications and plans and details for Jeremy's Memorial.  Balloons were released all over the United States ~ and according to posts ~ in several other countries in the world.

Jeremy's Balloon Release
(click for a slideshow of the hundreds of balloons released in Memory)

I spent a very, very emotional day trying to cope with the whole idea of really truly coming to terms with the idea and the FACT that I was actually telling Jeremy good-bye and Rest in Peace.   He was such a joy to me, so very active and smart, so protective and so very proud of his little sister!  Even now it is so hard to grasp that in all likelihood I will never see or touch him again.

About 50 of our friends and relatives came to the Myrtle Crest baseball field to Memorialize his life. I was amazed by some of the people that came - and just as amazed by those who didn't.  I was so glad to see old friends - Jeremy's friends, those who played ball with him, some who went to school with him, and many, many relatives came to show their love during this wonderful send off.  We all had blue t-shirts with his picture on them - an awesome sea of blue - if you will!

S'te prepared an amazing, awesome, wonderful, and heartwarming send off for Jeremy.  The balloons that she and those wonderful helpers spend the morning inflating and tying were released in turn. . .

14 blue balloons - released by S'te and I - for the 14 years he was with us

25 red balloons - released by his nieces and nephews - for the 25 years that he has been missing

100 white balloons - released by family - for all the love he was not here to enjoy

800+ green balloons - to memorialize, not only Jeremy's missing status, but for the over 800,000 children on the missing childrens lists at any one time.

and

finally, the pink balloon that I'd been seeing around the house for a week.  It showed up at the ballfield with HOPE marked on it.  S'te released it with the HOPE that an answer would someday be found as to why my baby boy, her brother, had to be taken from us - and what evil was done.  

I honestly have to admit that most of the day was in a fog.  I cannot remember all the kind words that were said or all the wonderful people that did come - I just know there was an awesome amount of love in that field.

I know that Jeremy, my Mom, Uncle GL, and the other loved ones that have gone before us were all smiling down on us as we paid this final tribute.

Thank you S'te for such a lovely tribute. I love you.

Another Missing Child

This child belongs to an aquaintance of S'te's. She has passed this information to me - I know it is true and not a hoax. Please pray that this child returns to her home. As the parent of a child that has been missing for over 20 years- I feel their pain as tho' it is my own. I pray the information on their daughter is much, much better - and sooner than ours.

Fourteen-year-old Ventura County Girl Missing Since March 12th, 2008


The fourteen-year-old daughter of Heidi and Damian Warner was last seen leaving base housing in Port Hueneme the afternoon of March 12th, 2008. Thought to be with a Hispanic male, age 17-20 said to be on his way to San Bernadino, California, parents fear that she is being held against her will as she left with nothing but the clothing on her back and without money. Police and NCIS have been assigned to the case, though as of Saturday, March 15th, she has yet to contact home and little is known as to her whereabouts. At this point, we are concerned for her safety and well-being and urge the public to help bring Brenna Oppel (might be going by “Warner”) home! Brenna is 5’3-5’4 and around 110 pounds, with brown eyes and hair. She has her nose pierced and wears braces with green elastic bands.
Any information needs to be given ASAP to:
The Oxnard Police (805) 385-7600
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (805) 982-4591
Or the Polly Klaas Foundation (800) 587-4357

To Catch up

The very same day that the kids were flying - I got a call from the Coos County Sheriff's Department to discuss a phone conversation with the CBS affiliate in Portland, OR. They were looking into "spotlighting" Jeremy's case during the "Without a Trace" program. I was totally speechless. It is such wonderful news - that yet another source of keeping Jeremy's disappearance from becoming a cold case. I am so amazed that the Lord has provided such resources to us - so many haven't had the blessings of the many people that have worked hard on this mystery. In January 1989 Jeremy's case was televised on Unsolved Mysteries. And now, this~~ I've spent many, many hours in prayer ~ hoping the Lord would provide us with an answer - He is providing us with another resource. The answer will come in His time. Someday he will make that person who knows something open up and we will then know.

I am just so glad that the Lord is giving yet another opportunity and resource for information to us. And I still pray for answers - not only for myself - but for all the parents, sisters, brothers, and children out there who haven't as many answers as I've gotten. I've not been as "lucky" as some - but still "luckier" than others. The Bible says that the Lord won't give us more than we can bear ~ He must know something about me that I don't know :)

So, if anything comes of the conversations and if I get an idea of when or if something may come to fruition, I will definately let everyone know. I doubt if the "spotlight" will be shown outside of Oregon - but who knows? Who'd have ever thought that this 21 1/2 year old case was still on so many peoples minds? Right now all I can think of is 23rd Psalms. . . . . . Tho I walk thru the valley. . . .