T.O.P.'s Tuesday: #HopeHeidiAllen

Last Monday, April 3, 2017, represented the 23rd anniversary of my little sister, Heidi M Allen's kidnapping. She disappeared on Easter Sunday in 1994 from the D & W Convenience Store located at the intersection of State Route 104 and County Route 104b in the upstate New York town of New Haven. She remains missing more than two decades later...

Her family, friends, community, and so many others continue to pray and hold out hope to the answer of my parents' first question...Where's Heidi?

The photo in today's blog is of the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden, located at the very location she was kidnapped from twenty-three years ago. It is a symbol of hope, love, and community. This year's rain surrounds it with water and made the spring clean up a challenge but with rubber boots on, flowers and a wreath brighten the garden and corner.

Hope for Heidi and and all the missing remains...

Some days are more difficult than others, this is a fact. But to know that each day I put my feet on the floor and have the opportunity to share about the joy and smile Heidi offered to everyone she met, the easier it is to keep moving forward. Last week was a busy and emotional week, and one full of #HopeHeidiAllen and encouragement for our family and community.

​Stay tuned to learn more about the blessings in the midst of the pain...they are always there, we just need to look closer.