The Fifth Night

I wish I had something new to tell you all. I’ve got nothing. Sherry, my cousin, is still missing as much as she was missing yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. There are no new leads.  The search has been suspended, and the case is now in the hands of the FBI. Local authorities felt as though they had gone as far as they could with the information that they had. At least for now.

Don’t stop looking, please don’t stop looking.

Sherry with her daughter, Holly

You think life should stand still with such a tragedy. When the news talks about Beyoncé and Jay-Z, I’m screaming at the TV to tell Sherry’s story instead. But, such is life. It all just keeps moving on because that’s what it does.

I have to remember it’s okay to laugh and to have moments of peace, even in the midst of such despair. Last night, I ate a box chocolates in bed and rolled my eyes at how ridiculous The Bachelor is this season. I laughed my ass off as my friend Clair told me about this crazy chemo cream she puts on her face and how her neighbor asked if she had chicken pox. I loved the Bob vs. Dolvett cat fight in the gym on The Biggest Loser. This morning, I found fellow blogger and runner, Terzah, on my doorstep in the freezing wind and snow. She was stopping by to give me a Starbucks gift card just to let me know she was thinking of me.  I talked to my family and found some peace in the comfort that we can provide to one another.

Yes, the circumstances point to the abduction of Sherry. The abduction of a person who brought only good to this world as a mother, wife, daughter, cousin, niece, sister, teacher and friend. We don’t know why horrific things happen to good people.  But, they do happen.

Taken in 2008 on the ranch where Sherry grew up.

In the midst of the sorrow and grim reality before us, one bright light shines out to me. It is the light of goodness, the light of of peace, the light of hope. It is thousands of people, strangers to Sherry, praying for her safe return. It is the church service held last night in Sidney, Montana, sending out energy to bring her home and comforting those closest to her. It is the millions of tears shed for a mom, teacher, wife and runner who was out doing what she loved to do and never came back. It is every person who has reached out to me, to her family, to help in the search effort. It is the power of the goodness of humanity. And, the light of spirit, God, whatever you call it, moving through us and connecting us.

Sherry's disappearance has shaken me and you to the core. It symbolizes our worst fears. That we will suffer. That we will leave those we love too early. That we will suddenly and inexplicably vanish into thin air. Her story is relatable on so many levels, and I am convinced that is why, even if you did not know her personally, you care deeply about her and her loved ones.

I know for a fact that there is more goodness in this world than evil. What has happened to Sherry is evil. The response nationwide is pure goodness. That comforts me beyond words.

The view from Sherry’s family’s ranch

It’s getting dark again and that makes my heart hurt. As the sun sets on the fifth night that Sherry has been gone, I continue to hope. I have visions of her courageously fighting her way to safety. I will carry this until I have reason not to.

You are my community, my support system, my friends. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, prayers and support. You have made me feel less alone. You are the goodness.

SUAR