Blog – September 28th

My Story: September 28th

Dear Reader: My blog are pieces of my story, taken from a journal I began over 2 years ago. They may be hard to read. I will share my journal entries as I feel ready to do so. The names of many individuals have been changed to protect their identify with the exception of myself (Priscilla), my sister (Christina), and the perpetrator (Joseph Amador- he went by Andy). Posts will be numbered to help you follow along.

Entry 1: September 26-27th, The FeelingSeptember 20, 2020
The night my sister went missing, September 26, 2003. I felt something was wrong, something with my sister. Correction: I knew something was wrong because I could feel it in my soul- myContinue reading “Entry 1: September 26-27th, The Feeling”
Entry 2: September 28th, GoneSeptember 21, 2020
The following day was Sunday, September 28th. The day the police officer found my sister while on his routine patrol of the area- a day too late. I wonder, what made him lookContinue reading “Entry 2: September 28th, Gone”
Entry 3: September 28-29th, The RideSeptember 21, 2020
As, my roommates packed my clothes and I laid on my bathroom floor I didn’t know the pain I was feeling would only be a small piece of what was to come. IContinue reading “Entry 3: September 28-29th, The Ride”
Entry 4: September 29th, CaptiveSeptember 22, 2020
My hope that the body wasn’t my sister’s didn’t last long. My mom and dad walked in shortly after I read the newspaper. My mom didn’t really “walk in”, she was more carriedContinue reading “Entry 4: September 29th, Captive”
Entry 5: UnstableSeptember 23, 2020
For the first few years after Christina passed I thought for sure I was going crazy. I remember wondering do people who actual go insane feel they are going insane before they endContinue reading “Entry 5: Unstable”
Entry 6: VulturesSeptember 24, 2020
The rest of September 29th, and the next few days, weeks, months, years are a bit of a blur. I remember there were lots of people, food no one would eat, police and…Continue reading “Entry 6: Vultures”
Entry 7: UndergarmentsSeptember 25, 2020
Later that week, my Dad asked me to help him at the funeral home. We had to pick a casket. I went but I don’t remember helping. Jay I think felt obligated toContinue reading “Entry 7: Undergarments”
Entry 8: Like a PlagueSeptember 25, 2020
Tragedy- it makes people uncomfortable, no one wants to feel sad. After my sister was murdered, I think those in our community, in our church, and even in our family avoided us becauseContinue reading “Entry 8: Like a Plague”
Entry 9: TriggersOctober 11, 2020
I knew it would be hard when I first saw Christina’s body at the funeral home. I didn’t know seeing her would result in triggers for the years to come… even 16 yearsContinue reading “Entry 9: Triggers”
Entry 10: Rent’s DueOctober 24, 2020
The second day of my sister’s wake was no easier than the first. I’m not sure why we had two full days for the wake, perhaps one of those things the funeral manContinue reading “Entry 10: Rent’s Due”
Entry 11: Words HurtNovember 6, 2020
My Dad would choose who would carry my sister’s casket. Something no one really thinks about until it is time to bury a loved one. However, perhaps we should think about who wouldContinue reading “Entry 11: Words Hurt”
Entry 12: Amazing GraceDecember 13, 2020
The day of the burial the funeral home was overflowing with people. Friends, family, co-workers, teachers, classmates stood in the hallways, overflow rooms, and even outside on the lawn. My family sat thereContinue reading “Entry 12: Amazing Grace”
Entry 13: The Music of SeptemberSeptember 30, 2021
To the reader: It has been 9 months since I last shared pages from my journal. Grief, though always with me, visits with all of it’s wrath in September. Usually I begin toContinue reading “Entry 13: The Music of September”
Entry 14: October 16th, Hope in GriefOctober 3, 2021
You lose so much more than your loved one when they die. I recently tried explaining this in Amador’s 15 year parole hearing… doing my best to convince the parole board that 15Continue reading “Entry 14: October 16th, Hope in Grief”
Entry 15: Not GuiltyFebruary 20, 2022
To the reader: Some of you, who have gone through a similar experience as mine, have asked what to expect in the courtroom. This was my experience and it was my last becauseContinue reading “Entry 15: Not Guilty”
Entry 16: Sentencing letterFebruary 26, 2022
After that first court appearance, I never went back to the courtroom. I think of this when people say, “you’re so strong”, I was not. I am not. When my sister was aContinue reading “Entry 16: Sentencing letter”