Divorce procedures resulted in custody battles that caused the loss of my family contact with my grandchild Lia. The crisis came when after years of court battles & attorney fees of my son Steven trying to seek custody of his daughter Lia. The courts however gave her to her mother. My son had to give up his fight to have the right to see his daughter or get custody of her. He had no more money to hire attorneys for the monthly ligitations by his ex-wife. The mother continued to alienate the child with her hostile power struggle not thinking of the daughter's needs and how a daughter needs both parents to love her and care for her. My son ran out of financial funds as he was paying back credit card debt from bills of the ex-wife plus a large child support each month. Each custody hearing cost at least $10,000 for the attorney fees. He fought for 5 years paying over $100,000 in attorney fees He had no $ for food or to pay his bills So he had to say I just don't have the finances to continue to pay court expenses for the custody fight & to keep Lia in this turmoil. So his ex wife got custody resulting in him losing custody and having no access to his daughter The first thing ALysse did was to marry her boy friend and change Lia's last name to the new husbands name . The heartache my son Steve felt and is still feeling today for the lost of not be able to see his daughter to tell her how much she is loved and missed. Is it possible to reestablish a relationship with the lost child, or grandchild as they become adults? Our hearts long for the chance. We just want to hug Lia and tell her how much she is loved and still a part of our daily thoughts. But the Dallas Court forbid us from having any contact with her as a minor child. Alysse would call the police and arrest Steve if she ever found out we contacted her. So we live in fear and torment knowing we can not have any relationship with Lia - until as an adult she would choose to rejoin our family. Steve still has all of Lia's toys, dolls, anything Lia ever touched or created as he savors every moment he got to enjoy her presence. Steve was an excellent father to Lia. Her needs came first. Today years later he still is concerned for her safety and well being. Steve longs for the chance to make Lia a part of his life as her father. If only mental telepathy could work she would know how much he cares. Lia is a gifted child - seeing glimpses of her in the local newspaper participating as a high school cheerleader - we are so proud! We are so proud of the beautiful girl- the caring person she is becoming and seeing the many traits she shares with her Dad. May the future be of forgiving hearts and as an adult Lia would have the opportunity to become part of our family again.
