**Family of Missing American Feels Hope Amid Nepal Flood Disaster**
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The family of 60-year-old Mary Sorensen is clinging to hope following reports of her disappearance in the wake of devastating floods in Nepal. An environmental consultant with a deep spiritual connection to nature, Sorensen was set to return home from a trip to the revered Mount Kailash when disaster struck.
Flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains along Nepal’s border with China has claimed the lives of over 1,000 individuals, with about 3,900 more still unaccounted for. Sorensen is among approximately 85 Americans reported missing in the aftermath. Her son, Riley Wildeman, 29, expressed optimism that his mother may simply have lost her phone and is unable to contact her family. “Until there’s something confirmed negative, I have no reason not to hope,” he stated.
Riley recalls the moment his mother shared her intention to embark on the solo trip to Nepal. “We were shocked and thought there was no way she would go through with it,” he admitted. However, Sorensen, known for her tenacity and spirit, completed the journey and described it as enriching and exhilarating. Her last communication with family came just before she was to leave Kathmandu for Atlanta and then onto Maine, where she was to spend time with her husband, Brian, and their granddaughters.
On August 26, the day following her final conversations with her family, tragedy unfolded in the valleys of Nepal. Reports indicate that catastrophic floods emerged shortly after Sorensen arrived at an immigration building on the Nepal-Tibet border. Her husband, Brian, a retired fire chief, described how his available records indicate that water rushed into the building almost immediately after her arrival. “I hope, of course, but as a firefighter, I saw what happened to that building,” he shared.
Mary’s family painted a vivid picture of her personality, characterising her as a loving and positive influence. “Mary was a believer in kindness, love, and care,” said her stepdaughter, Jordan Wildeman. “She loved fiercely, even when it may not have been easy.” The family highlighted her adventurous spirit, recalling trips to the beach during which she instilled the value of environmental stewardship in her children and grandchildren by teaching them to recycle and clean up after themselves.
In the wake of their uncertainty, Emily expressed the desire for a sign from above to confirm his wife’s safety. “I’d love to hear that she’s on her way home,” he said, reflecting the fervent longing for connection that accompanies their anxious wait for news. His daughter Jordan, also grappling with the situation, held onto a shred of hope that her mother might have sought higher ground before the floods hit.
Despite the difficult circumstances, the family strives to maintain a sense of optimism. “My mum always taught us that every day is a gift,” Riley remarked, encouraging his family to remain in a space of peace and joy, values he believes Mary would endorse. “We’re in a state of optimism, hope, and joy because that’s what my mum would want for us,” he said, adding that Mary’s legacy is one of resilience and love.
The couple’s relationship spans three decades, having first crossed paths during an environmental assessment at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, where Mary was conducting a risk evaluation. Their shared journey has included raising children and cherishing time spent with family, especially their four granddaughters. “Mary loved with reckless abandon,” Jordan stated proudly, expressing the depth of her mother’s love for her father.
Plans for Mary’s eventual resting place reflect her environmental consciousness. According to Riley, she would have preferred an eco-friendly burial option over traditional casket burial or cremation. “If they don’t find her, I think about how incredible it would be that she got her wish,” he mused, contemplating the possibility of living on in a way that aligns with her values.
As the search efforts continue, Riley holds onto memories of their last conversation, where Mary expressed gratitude for her family and her experiences while on her transformative journey. “If that is the last text she sends us, how incredible is that as a goodbye?” he concluded.
As time passes, the family remains in touch with officials in Nepal and eagerly awaits news about Mary Sorensen. Amidst the despair of natural disaster, they harness the enduring spirit and optimism that she instilled in them, firmly believing that their beloved Mary is still out there, dancing in the energy of life.