May your prayers be heard. Ruminating here, so sorry in advance for saying things that may be obvious, but I find it disconcerting to see over and over again children, teens, young women and men, and adults just disappearing. The idea that they're gone, that void left by their absence, it's seems to be the emotional core and devastating part of these calamities for the families, the friends, the community, LE investigating, the search teams and volunteers trying to find them. I keep having to remind myself the reality of it is that people don't just vanish into a void. Alive or not, they exist as people suffering against their will or as remains somewhere. Their connections to those who love them are real and still exist. Their essence, their souls, if you believe in souls, who they effect with their absence are all real. They exist alive or not, where they belong or not, vitally for those who care and seek them. They always will. Little Malik Drummond still exists even if there is silence. The part that always gives me hope is that the search for answers goes on, not many good people give up on that innate need to not leave people behind and to seek justice. It appears to me that these good people will always be stronger and more resolute, come what may.
