Hi all! I am still alive, if I haven't answered an email or you wonder why I haven't posted anything other than news for the past couple days, it is because I have had a strange week and not much sleep. I don't want to say that it was a bad week, but it has been bittersweet and I have had a lot on my mind. The problem is that the custody of my beloved little niece, Mina, was given to her father. I have nothing bad to say about him or his family. He and his family truly love her and have made sure that she has a secure home, with all the things a child should have. The problem is that they live in Chicago and we live here. Which means that although they are totally nice and we can call, email and visit whenever we want, she is not near enough that we can go pick her up and take her to the zoo, the fair and anything else, wherever we want to, as we have always done.
Mina has been living with her father for the past 6 months or so. To be exact, we hadn't seen her since February 2nd, she left a couple days after that. Luckily, we got to see her last Tuesday, during the court lunch break. Britton and I made sure we were there at 11:30 and there she was! Not the best picture of me, but I had been hugging her and crying not more than a few moments before. Strange the effects children have, there is not much that would make me cry, especially not in public, but seeing her again after all those months was sheer joy and I could only cry.
She hadn't forgot Aunt Lala or Uncle Britton and we were told that she speaks of us often. We got to spend nearly 2 hours with her and we now have all the information to call her, email her and visit her whenever we would like.
I can't blame these people for wanting and loving my wonderful niece and they are truly nice people. They are not trying to keep her away from me, they just love her, like I do. It is totally understandable. I have never seen anyone able to resist her. Complete strangers seem to fall in love with her when she talks with them and tells them her stories.
So it was bittersweet. I know she is well cared for and loved, but yet she is far away.
7 comments:
Wow -- bummer... but she is a cutie.
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Yeah, she is a cutie and she tells the best, most imaginative stories I have ever hear from a 5 year old, or most adults. It breaks my heart and yet I think it is better for her, so I will learn to live with it. She is happy and that is the most important thing.
I'm so sorry to hear your news about Mina, the only consolation I can offer is that with modern times and the internet, you can still keep in touch.
Lesley,
I'm so sorry; as you say it's good she'll continued to be loved and you'll still be involved... you had, and will contintue to have, a wonderful relationship with Mina.
(Once again Lesley I'm reminded of how many eerie parallels you and I share: we went through a similar situation years ago with our nephew.)
She is a cutie for sure; what a great smile!
Mina looks ALOT like you Lesley....this breaks my heart to read about this.
Keep strong Lesley.. and this goes without saying, but just keep in constant touch with Mina as much as possible. She will cherish the memories and will be happy to know she has you to rely on.
Sometimes things have a way of working out ... you just never know. Never give up hope.
cindypdx had the same thought I did when I saw the picture, and such a cutie pie she is too.
Chicago isn't that far away.
Thanks everyone!
I am sure I will get used to this. I have to think about Mina and her happiness and not myself, that should make it easier.
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