On to the next stop, Vancouver Washington. We arrive and are met by Starr Lara, Jamie Grissim's sister. You can feel in her hug how grateful she is that we are here. Once again that experience of someone else cares and I am not alone in this.
Looking at old photographs and mementos and holding this rally stop at the high school Jamie went to many thoughts begin running through my head. All of the whys and what if's and how comes. You begin to think about all the times you never got to have with your loved one and all the memories that never got made. Starr and Jamie had a difficult life to start with and then suddenly your sister is gone and you are left to go at it alone. You can see and feel that Starr lives with the pain of not having her sister Jamie daily. We talk a bit about this and she tells me; "I think about Jamie every day." Even forty one years later.
These feelings and emotions are not just something that dissipate and go away over the years. These are real people and real lives we are talking about and there is no "neat"way to tie everything all up and make it better or OK. We don't forget because we can't and we shouldn't. The statement; "Every missing person is someone's loved one" never rang truer and everyone who has been a part of this Road Tour definitely feels that and knows it to be true.
We all take some flower petals of many different colors and head over to the high school sign to let the wind take them and to share some thoughts and prayer. It is a beautiful sight and a nice way to remember Jamie.
As we pack to leave there is always a sense of needing more time or not wanting this time to end. Every journey is always easier when you have support and know that you do not travel alone. Even though it is time for us to go, we are not gone. We, CUE is always here and I leave knowing these families get that.
Lisa Valentino
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