A Conversation with Patty Wetterling by Jason Sprenger
I’m a member of a group called The Capital Club – a peer group made up of business executives who happen to also have a serious interest in sports. At one of our monthly group breakfasts, our speaker was Patty Wetterling. Patty, of course, is the mother of Jacob Wetterling – the child whose abduction and murder in 1989 was a loss of innocence moment for the entire country. Patty was there, along with her friend and co-author Joy Baker, to promote their new book called Jacob’s Hope.
I’d never met Patty or heard her speak before that day. Her story has always hit me hard, as it has so many others. But that day, it resonated differently. I’d been going through some emergency situations with my own son – nothing like what happened to Jacob, but still some of the worst moments of my life. So I approached Patty after the session and bumbled through a conversation. I mean – what do you say to someone who’s been through so much and still been the epitome of grace, courage and hope?
I told her briefly about the situation with my family. Then I asked her how she’s been able to keep going as she has all these years. Her response: “I never forgot what I was fighting for.” Such a simple response, yet so powerful.
Later, I asked her how she made it through the toughest times. She told me: “I couldn’t live in the darkness.” She went on to describe all the good that she’s seen – all the people that have supported her and her family, all the good deeds that people have done, all the things that are good in the world. She found a way to always recognize and appreciate those things, and in turn they sustained her.
Then she asked if she could give me a hug. I accepted. It felt like she was trying to transfer some hope to me through it…like she was trying to give me the strength I needed through osmosis. It’s one of the most unique feelings I’ve ever had.
I came away from the experience touched to the core. If Patty Wetterling can be optimistic and hopeful about our world, and appreciate all that’s good in it, I think I can too – and all of us can in our own way.
I also came away inspired like crazy. Time and again, when I share stories and listen to others share theirs, I see power and energy result from it. Walls break down. People help each other. Deep relationships form. It’s good for everyone, which only makes me want to create more spaces for those discussions.
This is why I’m honored to share this post with you all. Please feel free to reach out anytime!
Two Links Du Jour:
Jacob Wetterling Resource Center – Founded to educate and assist families and communities to address and prevent the exploitation of children
Dear Jacob, A Mother’s Journey of Hope by Patty Wetterling with Joy Baker
Two Minutes Du Jour 
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