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Guest post: "I will never stop searching for my missing son"

32 replies

MumsnetGuestPosts · 25/05/2016 12:28

Ten years ago last week, I reported my son missing. Luke, who was 19 at the time, hadn't returned home after a night out in Ipswich. He'd spent the evening in a club and was seen on CCTV leaving in the early hours of the morning. It was later established that Luke was trying to get home. I haven't heard from him since.

Having a missing child is an isolating experience. How do I explain to someone I'm meeting for the first time that I have had no idea where one of my beloved children is, for ten long years? How do I fill the void that Luke has left? How will other people ever understand what I'm going through?

Last week marked the passing of a decade since I was last able to talk to and touch my son. My memories of that time are vivid. It's hard to imagine that 10 years have passed - but when I saw Luke walking out of the door laughing that day, I never imagined that would be the last time we saw him.

In many ways, life stands still when your son is missing and yet so much has happened since Luke's been gone. Despite sometimes feeling as if nobody else can understand the pain I'm going through, my friends and family have still managed to bring joy and comfort at the bleakest of times. Milestones are often the worst. My daughter Alicia's 19th year was the hardest. I was terrified that I would lose her at 19 as I had lost Luke. It's hard to believe after living through the pain of Luke’s 21st birthday without having him there to share it, it'll be his 30th this year. The thought of it tears at my heart.

I think of Luke every day, I wonder what he would be doing if he were here. What kind of man would he have become? Would he have been married or been a dad? Would he have found the music career he so desperately wanted? I have so many questions that go unanswered. I'd love to sit down with Luke and my daughter Alicia and talk and talk until we're all too tired to talk anymore. It seems the tiniest request for a mother to want to spend time with both her children - but it is so unachievable for us.

A few months ago I was contacted by the charity Missing People. Their choir, whose members all have missing loved ones, were planning on releasing a single. I was initially very reluctant to join as I'm not a singer. However, I agreed to give it a go. It turns out I can sort of hold a tune. But more importantly, I stood alongside other families who walk in my shoes every day, they fully understand my eternal despair.

When Luke was a baby I would count how old he was in days, and then weeks, months and finally years. When Luke went missing it went full circle. I would count how many days he'd been gone, then weeks, then months and years - now it's a decade. Around 140,000 children go missing in the UK every year. Whilst most of them are found safe and well in a short time, a small proportion are not. Their families are left like me, left with the disbelief that the time passes and there's still no news. All of this time passing has not changed anything. The pain of losing Luke is always there. I will never stop searching for Luke, it's the only thing left I can do for him.

Nicki Durbin is a member of the Missing People Choir, which is made up of family members of missing loved ones and is run by the charity Missing People and Director James Hawkins. See them .

OP posts:
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Artistic · 25/05/2016 13:23

This is every mother's worst fear. My heart is breaking for you. The song is beautiful, made me weep for those little lost ones and their parents left with no answers. Wishing you strength and hope. Flowers

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IAmAPaleontologist · 25/05/2016 13:30

Beautiful.

May you take all our hope with you for you and your children.

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BombadierFritz · 25/05/2016 13:34

Flowers myheart breaks for you all xxx

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JustABigBearAlan · 25/05/2016 13:45

I'm so sorry. It's so unutterably sad. I can't begin to imagine what you are going through Flowers

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DiggersRest · 25/05/2016 13:47

I hope you find your ds Flowers

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IpanemaChica · 25/05/2016 14:02

I'm so sorry and truly hope you find Luke Flowers

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LineyReborn · 25/05/2016 14:35

I don't know know what to say, except I hope you find your son.

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GretchenBeckett · 25/05/2016 16:03

I have no wise words but much love to you and your family Flowers

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Backingvocals · 25/05/2016 16:35

I read your story with my heart in my mouth. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

I recognised quite a few of the names from the beginning of the video, from when their names were in the news. It brought me up short to think they are still missing, all these years later. And so sorry that your son is among them. Wishing you strength.

You all sound wonderful in the choir.

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megletthesecond · 25/05/2016 16:45

Your post has taken my breath away . So sorry for you. I hope you find Luke one day. Flowers

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BatFacedGrrl · 25/05/2016 16:50

I have read about Luke previously. Wishing you peace and I sincerely hope you find him

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upanup · 25/05/2016 18:20

Your post has brought tears to my eyes. I hope you are reunited with your son one day, I can't begin to imagine how difficult your situation is x

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regularbutpanickingabit · 25/05/2016 19:35

There are no words. I can't even begin to imagine how you and your family have taken a breath and a step every day.

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mrsnoon · 25/05/2016 19:48

Nicki, I'm on your fb group but don't want to out myself here. Bumping this post so as many people as possible see it. Much love, as always. X x

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cookielove · 25/05/2016 20:06

I hope you find him!.Flowers

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R0078 · 25/05/2016 20:08

There are no words to get the message across of how much I feel for you..Such a bright lovely looking boy...your heart and that of your family must break over and over again...How brave of you to do this.....I hope one day you find him xx

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FieryWill · 25/05/2016 20:58

Crying here reading your post Sad

Such a handsome young man Flowers

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Pforrelief · 25/05/2016 22:00

Its so sad you still have no news. I'm sorry to say this but have you heard of the bbc news page regarding England's unclaimed ? I'm sorry.

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kelper · 25/05/2016 22:32

I live in ipswich and have followed your story Nicki. I'm so sad for you all, and I hope that one day you find out what happened to Luke.

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stanthemancan · 26/05/2016 00:17

I'm so sorry. I've followed your story too. The campaign to find him was strong Flowers

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ClassicCoast · 26/05/2016 07:54

So sorry, that's so hard.

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YouSay · 26/05/2016 08:10

I am so sorry. What a moving post

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kelda · 26/05/2016 08:13

Heartbreaking Flowers

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ExtraHotLatteToGo · 26/05/2016 10:24

Nicki. 10 years. It's so hard to believe isn't it. Time is a strange thing, passing so quickly in some ways, yet so slowly in others. You have done remarkably well to hold it together for Luke, Alicia & yourself 💐 I hope that you find Luke xx

The song is beautiful, I hope it gets to number one & raises awareness of the charity. I hope being a part of it brings you support & friendships that help you. 💐

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RaeSkywalker · 26/05/2016 19:19

I'm so sorry Flowers

DH and I grew up in Ipswich, Luke is a year older than me. We speak of him often and sincerely hope that you find him. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

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