Missing From Me by Heather Shtuka is a personal memoir detailing the events that led to the disappearance of the author’s son, Ryan Shtuka, and the aftermath that followed. It is the hope of the author that Ryan is remembered, and that his story lives on.
The memoir is sectioned into three parts or periods:
- The Family Years
- The Search
- Coming Home
Follow the author on her journey towards purpose and healing after loss and grief in Missing From Me
Excerpt from Missing From Me by Heather Shtuka:
“Nancy,” my voice trembled on the phone. “Scott and I are on our way up to Sun Peaks. Ryan didn’t come home from a party last night. No one has seen him since. James and his roommates have called the police.”
To her credit, this strong capable woman that I have been blessed to call my friend didn’t ask me to repeat my words and didn’t give way to the panic that was bubbling inside her.
“Where are the girls?” she asked calmly. “Do you need me to go to the house?”
No, I need you to tell me this is crazy. I want you to say that everything will be fine, I say in the silent recesses of my mind.
“No, Judy is coming to stay with them.” Slight pause. “Put up a picture of him on Facebook asking if anyone has seen
him or been in contact with him.” The instant she said it, I shook my head. I couldn’t do that.
God, he would be so embarrassed to have his picture plastered across social media. What would people think? Isn’t that extreme? She interpreted my silence and understood all my unsaid thoughts and fears.
“Heather, you need to get the word out quickly,” she said. “Once we know where he is, we can delete the post, but you have to reach his friends.”
“I can’t,” I whisper. “I don’t think I can do it.”
To type the words, to find a picture, to actually put it to paper would make this real. Fear froze me.
To find out more about the author and her work, visit: Heather Shtuka
