Author: Daniel(Stock Image to protect family identity)
Editor: Ben Williams 6/2/2016
Too
often, we hear stories of families being ripped apart due to
separation, divorce and the bitterness that results. As a parent being
kept from your child, it is difficult to put into words the heartache,
pain, and suffering that we experience daily. Similarly, yet even
harder to comprehend, is the pain and suffering a child experiences by
being put in the middle of adult disagreements or being kept from a
parent, and the psychological damage that is caused during their most
critical years of development.
At only 10 months old, a little
girl's life changed when her father, Daniel, was taken from her. An
order that established his parenting time was not followed or enforced
and Daniel was kept from his daughter for seven long years. During this
time, Daniel was persistent, and he held onto hope that he would one day
regain contact with his precious little girl. Throughout his journey,
he experienced may road blocks, dead ends, and discouragement, but he
never gave up hope. Regardless of the toll it took on Daniel's life, he
knew his daughter needed to know that she was loved by him, and that he
had always been there for her - if only from a distance. Daniel was
left only to imagine the thoughts that were going through her mind in
those seven years that they were apart.
Through the devastation
and depression, Daniel dug deeper, tried harder, and pressed on.
Finally, after seven long years, he and his daughter were reunited.
Daniel says: "Seven years of misery melted in seconds once my baby girl
was standing before me. I made her laugh and smile, and the pain was
washed away."
They are currently working to rebuild and strengthen
their relationship. Daniel's and his daughter's happiness and love for
each other can be seen through their pictures which are filled with joy,
laughter, and smiles. The years may have prevented the making of
precious memories, but it certainly has not taken away their love for
each other or their foreseeable optimistic future. Daniel hopes to gain
more time with his daughter so that he may have the opportunity to be
the father that she needs and deserves, and the father that he has
always wanted to be.
Daniel tells all of those suffering and
missing their children to never give up, he says: "The only way you can
lose, is if you stop trying." He hopes his story can reignite and
inspire others suffering and give them hope that their day is coming
soon.
