The disappearance of three-year-old Kienan Hebert in Sparwood, British Columbia plays on our worst fears, and brings to light our strongest hopes. Donna Leskosek lives in Sparwood, the town from which Kienan was abducted, allegedly by local resident Randall Hopley.
I am waking up in Sparwood. The crisp September air and the sun shining over the mountains are the most familiar things in the world to me. The sound of my neighbor taking her dog out. The brightness of my day is starting but before I am even fully awake I remember. Kienan Hebert…still missing and there is a sinking hollowness as I think of his family and of him. I reach for my iPad to read the news.
The power of the human spirit will always astound me but the following quote in a local paper from Paul Hebert, the father of Kienan Hebert who is missing and believed to be abducted takes my breath away:
“We still have nothing as of yet. There are a lot of calls to 911 and they need to be screened out to real leads. The people here have been so awesome, donations, volunteers, professionals, and support groups. This Valley is absolutely amazing. We are in very good hands and we have all the faith that we will have him back. Search and rescue teams are our strength right now to help find crucial clues and evidence. They keep our spirits up when we see them out there, people are coming from coast to coast to volunteer, even some from the states.
“Thank you all. You leave your homes and families to help bring ours back together. We are so humbled and we just want to thank every one of you for your help and support. Sparwood is the best move I have ever done. Yes, one bad man has hurt us and our precious little son, but thousands of good people are giving their all to make it better.”
The ability of this man and his family to look through their fear and grief and make such a statement is beyond belief. I live in the community of Sparwood. I do not know this family but I have listened and watched with horror and helplessness as the story of Kienan’s disappearance has unfolded.
Paul Hebert’s words about “One bad man” are so true. Our community searches for Kienan and for reasons and answers. Facebook is filled with comments wishes and prayers. There are people with their own issues and agendas. There are questions about the timelines of Amber Alerts and reactions. There are criticisms of our justice system. All of these things have a time and place to be considered, and when they are we must remember “One Bad Man”.
We seldom have the ability to circumvent the actions of someone like him. That is not to say we disregard looking at how to prevent this from happening. Right now every bit of the energy we have, politically, legally and morally, must focus on finding a three-year-old boy.
Jack Layton said it best: “Hope is better than fear.” Right now, our support, our hope and our respect belongs with the Hebert family. We must not allow anything to get in the way of that. Paul Hebert, you humble us all.
Update: Kienan was reported returned to his family on September 11, 2011. Randal Hopley remains at large.
Wow Donna, it’s almost a year later, I stumble on to your page and wow what a letter, thank you for this, I am once again humbled. Thank you
Paul
Well said Donna….