This is Michaela at age 2, with her baby brother Alex. I look back at those times, and we were so innocent. I held her in my arms, never knowing that one day she would be so terribly ripped away from me. I took joy in her sweet smiles, never knowing that they would one day be replaced by screams of terror. Oh God, it seems it is my endless destiny not only to find out what happened to my daughter, but to understand WHY and HOW this could have happened.
This is Michaela's tree, which grows next to the parking space Michaela's kidnapper was parked in when he lured her to his car and kidnapped her. Nineteen years later, tree is a generous description for it, but nevertheless we left our remembrance for her on November 19, 2007. This is a placque nestled in the branches, so people will know why the ribbons and balloons are there.
Here are some pictures of the ribbons we hung in the tree, and some balloons hung by children from the neighborhood.
And on another tree across town (thanks, Cabrina and Tiana).
Music
Please ..TURN ON YOUR COMPUTER SPEAKERS.. and have a listen.
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
...Casting Crowns
****************************
In my dreams, I can hear Michaela singing this song ...
Movies
Many people have asked me how I was able to make my peace with God after Michaela's kidnapping. But one day, I was sitting in church with tears streaming down my face, and I felt God say to me, "Do you think I don't know how you feel?" And I felt the heart of God, as he watched his own Son suffer at the hands of men, as he watched him die. Even one of the worst of my own nightmares, that Michaela had at some point given up .. coming, that she had felt ABANDONED ... God the Father had felt even that as Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Someone once asked God, "Where were you when my son died?" and God replied, "The same place I was when my Son died." There is a video clip on this page. If you watch it, you will see the anguish Jesus' mother suffered as she watched him walk the Via Dolorosa. God suffered no less.
I saw the parents of a VT shooting victim on television a few weeks ago, and they said they had come to terms with the fact that their greatest loss was actually their daughter's greatest gain. I don't know for certain whether Michaela has passed from this life or not, but if she has, it is true that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord who Michaela loved, and there is no more sorrow or pain in that place.
Wanna know more? If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I invite you to join me at Faith Fellowship Worship Center in San Leandro, California. For address and service times, see their website at http://www.faith-fellowship.us/
Television
It is only be embracing the light that we can dispel the darkness in the world, and that is done one person at a time.
Heroes
My children, who kept me alive in the worst of times.
God, who so patiently and lovingly drew me back to himself.
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today ...
Still Missing: Michaela Joy Garecht's Details
Status:
Single
Religion:
Christian - other
Zodiac Sign:
Aquarius
Still Missing: Michaela Joy Garecht's Companies
The House Foursquare Church Mountain House, CA US www.thehousefoursquare.com
About me: My name is Sharon Murch, and I am Michaela's mother, and I thank you for your love and support for my daughter.
This is the flyer for the 20th Anniversary, 2008
November 19, 2008, marked the 20-year anniversary of Michaela's kidnapping. Below is a copy of the front page of the newspaper on the one year anniversary. However many years have passed, we have not given up, and the police department investigation is still active. This is a case that will never grow cold.
This is the composite of Michaela's kidnapper, made right after it happened, with the assistance of the eyewitness. Remember that this is what he looked like over 18 years ago.
If you have any information about Michaela or her kidnapper, please call the Hayward Police Department at 1-800-222-3999, or contact me here or at sharon.murch@gmail.com
My daughter, Michaela Joy Garecht, was kidnapped on November 19, 1988, at the age of 9. She has never been found. I am Michaela's mom. This myspace has been created to keep her alive in everyone's memory, and perhaps to help find her.
Michaela was kidnapped when she and a friend went three blocks to our neighborhood market one sunny Saturday morning. They had ridden scooters to the market, and when they came out one was missing. Michaela spotted it in the parking lot and went to get it. When she bent over to pick it up, a man jumped out of the car next to it, grabbed her from behind, threw her in his car, and took off with her. Michaela's friend witnessed the kidnapping and went immediately for help. In spite of an immediate police response, Michaela has never been found, and neither has her kidnapper. It has now been over eighteen years.
For those of you who never knew her, how can I tell you about Michaela? She was beautiful. She was loving. She was very kind and nurturing. She loved God down deep in her heart. (If you know Robbie, you have a little glimpse of Michaela's character.) But as I've said before, all those words can capture her about as well as a box of crayons can capture a gossamer rainbow. She was my first child, the first person ever to reach out and call me mommy. She was a very large piece of my heart.
Who I'd like to meet: I'd like to meet someone who can tell me what happened to Michaela. But I would also like to meet others who are struggling with grief, and particularly those who may be stumbling in their faith because of grief. It took me fifteen years to make peace with God after I lost my daughter, but I did, finally, make that peace.
You can reach me here or e-mail me at sharon.murch@gmail.com
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Still Missing: Michaela Joy Garecht's Friend Space (Top 32)
Still Missing: Michaela Joy Garecht has 1751 friends.
Peace Sunday, June 5, 1982, Rose Bowl, no nukes - nuclear disarmament - stop nuclear madness concert - NYC - Central Park - June 12, 1982, 1,000,000 person march and rally for Nuclear Freeze. Photography and presentation by Curtis Rainbow. 'Give Peace a Chance' music by Achim Schultz. Inspiration by Yoko Ono. Dedicated to John Lennon.
Sharon, I saw the news tonight and am happy to see the publicity arousing awareness around Michaela again. I pray that this may lead to some knowledge and closure for you....keeping you and Michaela in my prayers.
Hello Sharon.....I saw you on the Today Show this morning and just wanted to offer my support and hope with you that Michaela could very well still be alive. I agree with everything you said. You are a courageous woman and I support you 100% Please let me know if I can add anything to my page.
It has been a while since we last spoke and I just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you! We all think of you often and are hoping and praying for the best!
Hi Sharon: I want to let you know that my heart is with you and your family. I've seen you on every T.V channel including Larry Kingl. I want you to know how courageous and intellegent you are, but what makes you stand out so much for me- is your faith, hope and your endless love for the return of everyone's angel, Michaela. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make your now hectic life a little easier. God bless you and your beautiful family.
hey sharon i feel so sorry for your page made me sad. i really do think michaela is still alive it shocks me she was 9 when she got kidnapped and now shes 30 and still missing its hard to believe. shes one beautiful girl that should get found. bless you =)
