It wasn't supposed to be this way

I have been thinking about the events of last week that surrounded the anniversary of my brother's disappearance and thought to myself with anguish, "It wasn't supposed to be this way."

We weren't  supposed to be lighting a tree to remember a brother, son, and uncle. We weren't supposed to have the media standing in our living room asking us questions about what we thought happened to Steve. We weren't supposed to be gathering for such a somber occasion.

Christmas wasn't supposed be a double dagger memory of a lost brother and a lost father who had fought so hard to bring his son home. My dad wasn't supposed be taken from us when it felt like we needed his strength, his resolve, and his insight the most. It wasn't supposed be to me to fill the role he left, and the role I tried to avoid for two years, because it hurt just too much to think about my missing brother.This isn't how his life was supposed to be.

It was supposed to be happy, filled with family, and absent of unanswered questions, fear of what could have happened, and the pain of loosing a loved one. We were supposed to be the quiet family down the street that didn't draw attention to themselves, that served others, and enjoyed each others company. We weren't supposed be the family that desperately tries to keep their story in the media in the hopes that someone, somewhere might come forward with information.

It wasn't supposed to be this way...

I am filled with gratitude for an amazing family who sticks by us through thick and thin. I am grateful for a family that never passes judgement, and always stands together to shoulder one anothers burdens. I am grateful for awesome friends who love us and shower us with prayers, thoughtful words, and kindness. I hate to think about how our life would be without these saintly people constantly surrounding us and encouraging us.

I am grateful for a mother whose unyielding faith stands as a beacon for all her children both missing and present to cling too. For a mother whose strength lifts the rest of us when we feel like we can no loner carry on. I'm grateful for brothers and sisters whose bond has become unbreakable and whose love for each other outshines the darkness of despair. I am grateful for a wife and child who help shape me into the man I need to be. They give meaning to a life that would otherwise be selfish and indulgent. They help me see the greatness inside.

This is how life is supposed to be.

I guess when I think about it, we're really not that far off...

By: Dallin Koecher

News stories and Pictures

Lastest news stories about Steven.

CBS Channel 2
http://connect2utah.com/news-story/?nxd_id=190117

KSL Channel 5
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=18488050&title=family-marks-2-year-anniversary-of-koecher-disappearance

Davis County Clipper
http://davisclipper.com/view/full_story/16710951/article-Koechers-to-light-tree-honoring-missing-son?instance=home_news_1st_left
Thanks to boths of these stations for showing these stories!

by Dallin Koecher

Articles about Steven in the news

Over the last few days we have had some nice media attention about the anniversary of Steve's disappearance. Like always, we are grateful for the attention we do get. Here are links to the ones I know about and to the "Help Us Find Steven" group.

Salt Lake Tribune
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/53090169-183/steven-koecher-dallin-family.html.csp

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53100614-78/koecher-says-tribune-alberty.html.csp

Las Vegas Review Journal
http://www.lvrj.com/news/man-s-vanishing-in-henderson-still-unsolved-135493523.html

Las Vegas Sun
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/12/ut-man-missing-utah-1st-ld-writethru/

Facebook Group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/225335012614/

Please come out to the tree lighting event tonight if you can! Thanks.

By: Dallin Koecher

White Light of Hope Tree

Dear Family and Friends,


I would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season on behalf of the Rolf and Deanne Koecher bunch. With the holidays approaching our thoughts turn to our loved ones and the cherished relationships we have with each of you. As you all know December will forever be a mix of emotions for our family. As the two year mark approaches of Steven's disappearance sorrow fills our hearts as we think of our precious son, brother, and uncle. But joy and comfort swells within us as we think of all the amazing support our family and friends have brought to us.

Many of you may know that one of the last things Steven did was decorate a tree in our front yard with white Christmas lights. Well, that little tree became our "hope" tree and as long as those lights burned we always had hope that we would find Steven or find answers. The lights have burned out twice now, but our hope for Steven has not. This year we are asking all of those who know and love Steven to join us as we relight our "White Light of Hope" tree again in his memory. We encourage all of you who want to participate to light a tree in your yard with white lights and to leave it lit throughout the year as a marker of our hope and love for Steven.

On Tuesday December 13 at 7 pm we will gather at Deanne's home to relight the tree in his honor. Please come out to celebrate the life and memory of Steven.

Once again thank you for your love and support through the challenges and hardships we have face these past two years. You will never fully know how much you have strengthened us. We love you all!

By:Dallin Koecher

Koecher Family “relights” hope for Steven

Dear Friends,

We are doing a tree lighting event Tuesday at my parents house in Bountiful. Please come if you can. If can't come please light a tree in your yard as a way to remember Steven and spread hope for his return or information about his case. More details below.

Thanks,

Dallin

Bountiful, Utah – The family of missing person Steven Koecher will be honoring the two year mark of his disappearance on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 pm as they relight the “White Light of Hope” tree at the Koecher residence in Bountiful.

“After two years and little news or updates all we have left is hope, and the lights on this tree symbolize our hope,” said Dallin Koecher, younger brother to Steven.

One of the last things Steven did before he went missing was put up white Christmas lights on a tree out front of his parent’s home. The tree became a symbol of hope for his parents, Rolf and Deanne Koecher, reminding them daily their son was missing and not to give up hope for Steven’s safe return.

The lights eventually burned out sometime during the summer months and the Koecher’s relight it on the anniversary of Steven’s disappearance. This year as the Koecher’s relight the tree they are asking friends, family and anyone who loved Steven to honor his memory by lighting “White Light of Hope” trees at their homes as well.

“We hope that when people see white trees at homes around the valley they will think of Steven and remember that his family still has hope,” said Deanne Koecher, Steven’s mother.

Everyone is welcome to come out to the Koecher residence in Bountiful on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:00 pm as they relight the “White Light of Hope” tree for Steven. For more information about the event or questions please call Dallin Koecher at 801-721-7353.

Event Details
• Who: Koecher Family
• What: Relight “White Light of Hope” tree
• When: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 7:00 pm
• Where: 334 West 3100 South Bountiful, Utah

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Here is an article ran in the SLC Tribune today. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home2/53090169-183/steven-koecher-dallin-family.html.csp

By:Dallin Koecher