Lovingston VA Elisa

It's raining, it's pouring. Off we go to dedicate a garden at Alexis Murphy's high school. When we arrive thankfully there are some tents set up and the location is so beautiful we quickly forget the rain. CUE's Virginia State Outreach Coordinator Shawn White is once again our host along with Alexis' family.

This is another duplicated stop but this time it is different. Last year Alexis had only been missing a few months. Her family are now veterans in the missing world. They've been through an arrest, court, and even a conviction but they still don't have Alexis back. Last year recovered Morgan Harrington's parents were guiding them, today they are here to honor their daughter and all the missing. Recovered  Cara Holley's mom Lisa is here with us again. Last night I knew of her daughter only, today we had time to talk and bond. We both lost a child just prior to their nineteenth birthdays and though the circumstances were much different we connected over the similarities. She has had her recovery and a conviction in her case but of course coming to our events has opened old wounds. She tells me she is also coming to our next stop and I know how she must feel. Wanting to go to all the stops you can to  talk with and connect with those like you, honor those families that still have missing loved ones, surround yourself however briefly with people who know your pain. People who you do not have to explain yourself to, people who get it and you. The family of missing Janet Renee Field is also here.

After the introductions and the speeches we move to where the garden will be placed. It will be a place to honor Alexis, a place for reflection, a place where her mother can go for solace.the high school's horticulture class will be in charge of maintaining the space with flowers donated from a local nursery. Pink and white flowers will surround a bench with a plaque bearing Alexis' name. It will be a year round garden with flowers that even bloom through the snow. I think it's wonderful when a community rallies around and supports their own. This space will go on forever in her memory.

Elisa