The coolest thing happened last week. Titus was outside playing when he came in the house and hollered that there was a balloon stuck in the tree outside. I honestly just ignored him and didn't really care because they had let balloons go about a month ago. I figured we were headed for some serious drama because he wanted his balloon back or something. Maynard, on the other hand, said, "Maybe it's a balloon with a message, Amy." Oh me of little faith, I know. Which I should have believed because my kindergarten class back in 1983 or so, let off balloons trying to get penpals. I was the only one out of the whole school to recieve a reply. It just so happened to be a retired astronaut instructor who lived in Winchester, KY. We wrote for many years and he and his wife even attended my high school graduation. He died right after I got married in 1999. Anyways, back to my post. Maynard went out with Titus and found a still half inflated balloon in our apple tree in the back yard. When they pulled the balloon out of the tree, sure enough it had a card hooked on to it. It had a picture of a young woman on it and it said, "Where is Heather? It had an email address on the back so I quickly sent an email to let them know we had found the balloon. I quickly got a response and it was from "Heather's" mother. She informed me that the balloons were released from Madisonville, KY which was apx 400 miles away from London. She couldn't quite believe that the balloon was found here in London because her son and other daughter now lived in London. I've been looking this up online and have discovered that Heather Teague was abducted 17 yrs ago on August 26th. She was at a beach somewhere in KY, (must be a lake or river), when an eye witness seen her being abducted from her lounge chair and into the woods. This family has been ran through the ringer trying to find Heather. From what I read they had a suspect and before he could attend a court date or be questioned, he killed himself. This is an unsolved mystery, but the family remain hopeful that they will one day find their daughter. They release off balloons every year on her abduction date for the past 17 yrs in hope of someone recognizing and finding Heather. Out of 17 years, this was the first balloon to be found that she is aware of. The mother has regained hope because she feels that this is some kind of sign. I mean why would a balloon that was released from Heather's hometown come to London, KY where her brother and sister now live? It is too ironic for it to be just a coincedence. We found out by Sarah, Heather's mother, that her son was a manager at Bluegrass Trails restaraunt here downtown. She asked that we got and meet him and show him the balloon. We went in on Wednesday and asked to speak to him. He was such a nice young man and was excited to meet us and Titus who found the balloon. He said he had went home and helped release the balloons and was amazed that one made it back to where he now lived. He treated us to a meal and ice-cream! Yay! We are anxious to meet Sarah now and when she comes to town to visit we are all going to get together. If ya'll don't mind, please help pray for this family to find their daughter and sister. I am going to try to post a website for ya'll to view, but if it don't work, then google Heather Teague.
I just thought this was so interesting and I wanted to share it for memories sake!!!
http://whereisheatherteauge.blogspot.com
How neat to find a balloon with a card, way to go Titus! Now there will be many more ppl praying for this family!
ReplyDeleteOh wow Amy, that's a really awesome little story there. These kinds of things just find you, don't they? How neat!!!!!!!!! Definitely praying for this family.
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