We all carry Little Relisha in our hearts, in envelopes of hope, tied with bows of WebSleuthing. :heartluv: These are the ties that bind the veteran and novice :websleuther: together, intertwining us across the hills and valleys of this great nation, linking us across the oceans, spanning the globe. I really picture us as a family, a multicultural quilt, with different perspectives. Each thread takes effort, and helps to makes the quilt stronger.
:wave:
As the sun rises and sets each day, we all wish upon the same stars, and moon. The "drama" may have faded, and her story may have receded from the headlines, but all Relisha represents is still very fresh in our minds. The "Other Relisha's" - as the term was coined - resonated (with posts so deeply personal that I cried myself to sleep reading their stories) in a way I hadn't experienced in a very, very long time.
There is something about Relisha that touches on multiple issues found in the countless cases we sleuth here. The pain in her beautiful eyes, the unbelievable conditions she was exposed to before she vanished off the face of the earth, the painful life she lived on a daily basis with her siblings, her seeming need to just want to be loved, the absolute shining light she appeared to be, with all her promise, the life we all want her to have when she comes home, the list is as long as the tears I've cried for her....
:tears:
My daughters (age 7.5 and a few days shy of 11) both reached individual milestones today. Perhaps that is why I'm so emotional, knowing Relisha should be doing the same.
In particular, my eldest (the almost birthday girl) tried out for the flag football team. She was the only 6th grade girl to make the co-ed intramural team - and she made team captain AND quarterback. She ran out to me and her little sister, her braids flying in the wind, grinning from ear to ear.
"Mami! Mami! Guess what...?!"
As she wrapped her arms around me, I hugged her, closed my eyes, and tried to hide my tears behind my sunglasses. She's my height now (5'0"), and I saw Relisha in my mind's eye. The family group hug was absolutely priceless. Will Relisha ever get to feel this joy again? Will the boys? It crushes me. :cry:
These are the moments we live for as parents. It makes every sacrifice worthwhile, and I am SO proud of my kids! We don't have many "things" but we are rich in ways I can't explain.
I want Relisha to have a chance to know this life with her brothers. Until she is found, I refuse to believe this is too much to ask.
Where are you, BabyGirl?
#FindRelishaRudd
(My apologies for the long post) :blushing:
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