We’re aching for Austin Tice to walk free again. | Opinion
There are whispers on the winds that our government is meeting with the Syrian government. I certainly hope so. We hope so. Austin is longing and waiting to walk free. My arms are aching to hold my firstborn again.
Our entire family is always aware of his absence. This has been our reality since August 14, 2012 — 10 years and 9 months. Relentless pain, an ever present awareness that we cannot see him, cannot hug him, cannot hear his voice. Deeper pain is feeling Austin’s pain — this long, ongoing absence from his family and his life. This is our communal, unrelenting pain. We carry it together, we carry it alone, we carry it.
Last year, on May 2, we met with President Biden in the Oval Office. In that meeting, the president directed his staff to engage and work with the Syrian government; they nodded. Our hearts rejoiced at hearing the president of the United States give the directive we have been requesting for so long. We believed we were witnessing a breakthrough. At last, we could sincerely hope our son was soon going to walk free. The country Austin honorably served was not going to leave him behind.
Just a little more pain... Waiting... Believing.
We are sorely disappointed that the clear directive has not met our expectations. We had so desperately hoped Austin would not see another birthday in captivity; prayed that he would not have to mark a 10th anniversary hidden in secrecy. But we heard nothing in August, his birthday came and went, shortly followed by that dreaded “anniversary.”
As the holidays approached, there was still no whisper of effort by the White House staff. Another cold winter was well underway; another season of family gatherings, with Austin joining us only as an empty chair. Our hearts were breaking, my arms were still aching.
Earlier this year there were more whispers. Secrets to be kept close; silence to be observed. Was this really happening? Was this just a ruse as the calendar became a reminder of a year almost passed since that meeting in the Oval Office? We have been down this dark path before. We opened our hearts to faithful prayer, steadfast hope and unwavering Love.
The winds are again filled with words we long to hear — words of more meetings. My heart begs caution, fearing another wound, “Hush, mother, wait until you are running to hug your firstborn. Keep faith, nurture hope, abide in love.”
The meetings are only worthwhile if they are productive. We hope there is the necessary focus and sincere commitment to the goals of the meetings. We know that having our son home again rests with the success of these engagements.
Meetings never work — until they do. We must wait for the one that counts, the end of secrets — the headline! When is that meeting going to happen? How many words must be spoken before that meeting? I will continue to believe it might be today and today and today — until it is today.
I am waiting with full heart and opened arms. The winds are little comfort; my arms still ache for the child who first called me mom.
This story was originally published May 2, 2023 at 2:27 PM.