Some say over time things get easier. I can tell you they do not. It has been eight months now since our daughter Nadia disappeared. Our loss is as great now as it was when we first heard she went missing.
It was 6 November when the Homewood detective called us at home. I answered the phone. The detective asked if I was Nancy Kersh and then if I was the mother of Nadia Kersh. I told him I was as I felt my heart sink and my mind began to race as fear overcame me. He said what every mother fears, Were investigating a missing persons report; your daughter, Nadia has been reported missing. For a time I couldnt seem to catch my breath, my heart raced on as I struggled for words. I remember saying, Excuse me? The detective was gracious and patient. He said again, Nadia has been reported missing. I felt weak and lightheaded and struggled to talk. I was in a state of shock and disbelief and managed to say, Please let me tell my husband. He was at work and the news would devastate him.
As I hung up the phone I remember thinking, how could this be? I called Kevin at work and left a message for him to call home. While I waited for his call, I tried to collect myself and my thoughts. I asked again, How can this be? I decided to Google Nadias name on my laptop. Maybe she was in an accident, maybe she was just lost, maybe she was hurt and in a hospital somewhere. Up came her drivers license picture and captions that said she was a 23 year old mother missing in Homewood, AL. I felt my head spin. There she was. She had been missing since Monday, three days earlier.
I asked the Lord to bring peace to my heart as I struggled to make sense of the situation. I began to think about our last conversation and how happy she was to be able to come and visit us in a couple of weeks. She talked about wanting to move from Alabama, that she needed to get away, she wanted to start over. She asked if she could come home for a while. We said yes, of course. We told her we could talk more about it when she came. She was so excited about coming to see us all and we couldnt wait to see her and the baby.
Because were in the military and were stationed far overseas, I hadnt seen Nadia for some time. I had yet to meet the baby. Kevin was fortunate having had business trips back to the states which gave him an opportunity to stop by to see her. He last visited with her last August on a trip through Birmingham, AL. They had dinner at Olive Garden before he continued on his trip north to Washington, DC. As always, she sent her love.
By August I was also back in the states but decided to visit my father who was terminally ill. We didnt know how long he had and I wanted to spend that time with him. Im glad I did he passed three weeks after Nadia disappeared. (Picture is of him and Nadia)
Today marks eight months since Nadia went missing. Losing her was the last thing I couldve ever imagined. Some say over time things get easier. All I know is that the hurt doesnt go away the emptiness doesnt go away. There is a void in our lives where Nadias tiny voice seems to call out, I love you mom and pop and dont you forget it. I want you to know we havent , Nadia we havent. We will never stop loving you and we will never stop looking for you.
As you read this, if you have any information on Nadias whereabouts please call the Homewood Police Department on their hotline at (205) 332-6262. Please help us find her.
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Blessings to all of you who have supported the search efforts for Nadia.
Gods Peace,
Kevin, Nancy, Ryan, John and Charlize
