Leanna, Randy, Mom and Kellythis is the LOVE of my life KELLY ............
Meet my sister, Dana McPeek
I have wanted this opportunity for so long. Anyone who has a missing
loved one knows the pain I feel. It is a wound that never heals, and
ache that you carry with you. I have wondered sometimes if others could
sense my continual grief. Having an emotion become so integrated, I've
come to believe that it must be somewhat apparent.
My sister Dana was the youngest of five children. She was also sick as a
child. I have memories of waking up at night to her screams. Her
temperature would reach 103 degrees. At age 5 she was hospitalized for
tests. I prayed to God that she would live. Eventually; she came home,
although her learning abilities were affected.
As a teenager, Dana began a long journey of substance abuse, jail, and
recovery. In her twenties she became clean and sober for good. Dana
attended regular AA meetings, lived on her own, and even cared for her
beloved pet bird "Kelly". She became the example to our dysfunctional
family that you could live life clean and sober. She planted the seed of
recovery on many. Everyone who knew Dana loved her.
As a sister, my relationship with her was not ideal. We disagreed on
many things, I could not relate to her. I was more feminine, Dana was
never afraid to take chances. Nor did she care what others thought of
her. Dana gave of herself, and expected nothing in return. She was
selfless.
Dana and I had to work on our relationship. It took years. Over time ,we
finally reached a place where we connected. I went to her apartment when
my beloved guinea pig died, and cried while she hugged me. When I got
married, I asked her to be my matron of honor. I will never forget when
she said to me" I love you, Randy." Because I knew she meant it.
On the night of May 4th, 2001, Dana went to the casino with a friend. At
approximately 12:30, or 1:00 A.M. she dropped off her friend, grabbed a
change of clothes, and drove off to house sit. She never made it to her
destination.
In the days that followed, I was in shock. I thought my head would
explode. My phone rang a million times, I eventually stopped answering
it. The police believed she had relapsed, and would eventually return.
We knew better. She loved her friends, family, and pet bird. Dana just
vaporized.
Since that night, our family has joined a group we never wanted to
belong to .The family members of a missing adult. We have sought answers
from psychics, even appearing on national TV, only to be disappointed
every time.
EVERY aspect of our lives has been affected. There are no adequate words
to express our feelings of loss. My single most important goal in life
has become to find Dana, and bring her home. I have no illusions about
finding her alive and neither does the rest of the family.
Dana deserves better than where she is now.
This year marks the 5th anniversary of her disappearance. We are
planning a remembrance for her. I'm making flyers to invite the people
who knew her. My brother is going to sing "Tears in Heaven". We will
share our memories of her. I think that Dana would like that.
Sincerely,
Randy Ericson
The Loving Sister of missing Adult Dana McPeek.my BEAUTIFULL sister Randy's wedding ......
this would make the best movie of all
Unsolved Mysteries
the Bible