SOCASTEE, SC (WBTW) – Friday was the two year anniversary since Heather Elvis disappeared and dozens of people gathered at Peach Tree Landing.
However, family members say they want the location and date to no longer be a tragic thought.
“I don’t think it will be a vigil from here on out,” said Morgan Elvis.
Morgan is Heather Elvis’s younger sister. She has not seen her sister since she was 16-years-old. She says that was the last time her life was normal.
“You can’t start the grieving process; so you live in this state of limbo, and so you’re in this numb state,” said Elvis.
She says her mother and father have changed as well.
Elvis says she knows it is not her place as an 18-year-old to be the support system for her family, but it’s the role she’s taken on.
“When I lost someone, it was easier for me to comfort others than myself because you find comfort in comforting others, you find solace in seeing others stand up and get strong, and carry on their lives, and you think well if I can help them to do this i can do it too,” said Elvis.
For the last two years, Peach Tree Landing and December 18th are things she says she would dread.
She says every month on the 18th her and her family would come down for prayer vigils and the mood was somber.
That’s changing and not just for her and her family but the entire community.
Elvis says December 18th is no longer just for her sister it’s for every person who has lost someone they love to come and celebrate.
“That’s what Christmas is all about. It’s not about family that isn’t here, and it’s not about the blessing you didn’t get, but about the blessing you did get, and the family that is here and we’re able to celebrate in that,” said Elvis.
Elvis says regardless of the results of her sister’s case, she plans to continue this tradition for years to come.
