Dear Jeremy,
Hi Jeremy. It’s me, Mom. I have such a deep need to reach out and contact you and make sure you are safe and well. It is my hope and prayer that you will receive this message meant for you. Putting this on this website is the only way I know to possibly and hopefully reach for your hand and touch your heart.
I know your present feelings, which are a direct result of your present circumstances. In our many lengthy conversations over the years and, in particular, over the last year, I have felt what you felt, your feelings have become my feelings. We have always been connected so strongly in spirit that, at times, I sense your feelings before you even express them to me and sometimes know you will call before you even dial the phone. I know that you feel very alone, dropped, kicked and ground into the dirt due to the circumstances that came your way. But, you need to know, whatever has happened or what will happen, you will NEVER lose your value to your family and friends who love you so intensely and care so deeply about you. You are still and always will be priceless to those who DO LOVE you! The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. You are special—Don’t EVER forget it. You might feel very alone, but trust me, you are not alone. You have a multitude of family and friends who care deeply about you and want to reach out and be there for you. Please let us do just that.
Jeremy, we need you in our world. You have so much to offer everyone you know as well as so much to offer all those you have yet to meet. I think about how much I have learned from you over the years and I am totally amazed at your insights, your precision in facing the world, your ability to read people and their needs so well, and yes, your intense left brained approach to life that has taught me so much (at times, yes, has also frustrated my dominant right brained approach). I think in particular how much Baxter, Parker, Gus, Sheridan, Vivian and Lydia need their Uncle Jeremy in their world to teach them the things only he can teach them, which is so much.
You are more than your body, your physical presence and your material possessions. You are spirit. You have your mind, heart and soul and there is always something to be thankful for (I know you know that). Decide that life is good and that you are special. Steadfastly refuse to let anything steal your joy. Choose to be happy….and YOU WILL BE. Don’t let the pain and frustration of today destroy the joy of all days to come. Don’t judge life by one difficult event. You must keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking your life day by day. There is a brighter tomorrow that is just down the road. DON’T LOOK BACK!!!! YOU ARE NOT GOING THAT WAY!!!!
More than anything, Jeremy, we need to know that you are okay and safe. PLEASE contact one of us and let us know that. When you are ready to come home to us, you will, and we are okay with that. If you need to stay away for awhile to clear your head and heart, by all means do so, but just let someone know you are okay. You need to know that no one is judging you, no one is critical of you. Everyone is concerned about you and needs to know you are safe from harm’s way. Perhaps you will find comfort in knowing your family and friends are supportive of ALL that you do and believe that whatever decisions you make, they will be the right choices for you. We look forward to the day we can welcome you back with open arms and open hearts.
You are my precious son. My heart is broken right now and only you can take away the pain of my broken heart. I need you, Jeremy. As for your family, well, we all feel a huge void in our family right now. Only you can fill that void. Your entire family loves you so very much and needs you in their world. You have left your footprints and presence in our hearts forever!!! I am trying to face each day as a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I will focus on the new day and all the happy memories of you and our times together that I have stored away…perhaps just for this time in my life. If my tears could talk, the life story of my experiences with you, Jeremy, would unfold and deliver sadness, confusion, frustration and mystery at this present time, but also happiness, delight, joy, laughter, pure pleasure and intense pride when my memory bank fully opens and the past comes to light and explodes with wonderful thoughts and feelings that I shared with my wonderful son, Jeremy. How desperately I long for you to be with us and we can experience those wonderful/positive feelings again.
May today there be peace within you. Take good care of yourself and be safe for me. I love you with my entire being!!!
Love and Prayers to you, my son,
Mom
Laurie Duncan, 
Gordon and Bev Muller, 
Barb Bartek, and 2 others are discussing. 
Help Find Jeremy Griess 
Laurie Duncan 12:56 pm on April 25, 2010 Permalink |
Wanda, over the years I have thought about you and your kids. To have this situation occur just makes me sad and that your family and you have to go through it is beyond anything I can imagine. I wish there was more I could do for you as you did for me years ago! For now the best I can do is pray and get word out there to others to help look for Jeremy. Your letter to him and your love for him are those that only a mother can know. I will pray strong and hard today that he is found or that some new clue arises. You are in my thoughts and prayers, as well as the girls! If I could I’d give you a hug, shed tears with you and just be there, but I can’t be there, I am here, shedding tears for you and your pain. God be with you and your family and keep Jeremy safe and bring him home safely! Laurie
Gordon and Bev Muller 8:23 pm on April 23, 2010 Permalink |
Wanda and entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The loss of a child is such a difficult burden. May Jeremy be safe and return to you quickly. Can’t get this situation out of our minds.
Bren-another mom 6:22 am on April 23, 2010 Permalink |
Your connection to your son is so obviously strong-please know that Jeremy, your sweet boy, is ALWAYS right there with you, no matter where else he is right now. Only a mother could fully understand the agonizing grief you are feeling-and only a mother knows that you will never truly lose your baby. There are complete strangers that are doing everything they can to help. Let Jeremy’s love keep you strong until you know he is safe.
Barb Bartek 8:03 am on April 23, 2010 Permalink |
Wanda…..I am running down the alley to hug you and help you any way I can….but the alley has grown longer and I can’t run fast enough (gosh…I never could run fast!) Wish I were “Mary Poppins”….would open my umbrella and do a search myself. My dear friend…please know I am with you and praying for all. Barbie
Joan Ouren 11:40 pm on April 22, 2010 Permalink |
To Jeremy’s mother,
As the mother of 3 children, my heart bleeds for you. Your letter has touched something within all mothers. We hold a place in our hearts for our children that is timeless. Sharing their successes and failures, their faults, and yes, their grief.
I pray that Jeremy reads your letter and understands that he is loved, completely, by his family and his friends. I’ve only met him once, when my niece Amy married Tony, but as I read the messages on this website, hear the pain in your words, and feel the love of his friends, I feel as if I know him.
Please stay strong and know that people are praying for your family and for Jeremy.
Joan Ouren