The Difference Time Can Make?

I love this picture!

Pride and wonder… My father looks very proud while I seem to be looking off into the distance, maybe even a little concerned?

There are relationships in our lives that help mould us and the nature of how that happens is actually quite natural yet inconspicuous.

I, after a long break, finally had the opportunity to reconnect with my beautiful sons!

Yuta now 15 and Louis now 12 have certainly grown and changed in the last 5 years but the sum of our time spent together still outweighs the time spent apart. Much has happened and certainly much has been said to try and infect the love that exists between us.

How much manipulation can you use before even a master manipulator exposes her hidden strings?

The conversation with my boys was natural, gentle and some how it had a tender tone to it!

I have missed you both more than I will ever be able to express!

Talking with you both has rejuvenated me; it reminded me in a very real and tangible way of how much I love you.

How did all of this happen?

Last Friday I had a great day in court. A Judge understood! He really understood and endeavored to explain and tried to make her understand that there are consequences to our actions and inactions. He lectured eloquently and emphasized that it wasn’t too late to right the ship – that a paternal influence is critical and that even though the distance between homes is greater than usual with responsible action the situation can be managed appropriately.

He understood…

I really don’t know what will happen but I will always be grateful for his understanding, compassion and foresight!

And so the journey continues…

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.” Robert Frost

Love,
Dad

Life as a process!

There is a lot that we take for granted in life until we are asked to justify, explain or make sense of it!

About 15 years ago I was living in Japan and had a beautiful son named Yutaka Denzel Darisse, the pride of my life and not too long after I was blessed again with a second son Louis Kei Darisse. All was right with the world (or so it seemed).

As the pages of the calendar went by I shared a very close and loving relationship with both my sons, so many wonderful memories! We really were close and they mean everything to me.

I have had to justify what kind of a parent I am, when all who know me and knew of my relationship with my sons would easily testify to the fact that I was a great father! Even their mother has often said that - only to suggest otherwise when it became convenient to do so...

Not many parents have to justify themselves in front of strangers in a very emotionally challenging environment. I approached this challenge with optimism even though my sons were taken from me in December of 2004. I had faith in the fact that no one would knowingly conspire to remove a loving parent from a child’s life.

Even though that is exactly what had happened - I believed that the situation could be resolved and that everyone’s interest could be respected.

It is now February of 2010 and I am again going to court to try and establish some sanity to this ridiculous situation...

My heart naturally hopes for the best but my emotions or reason understands that the current inequity will most likely prevail.

Life has been moving forward and much has changed but my eternal love for my boys is stronger than ever and although time is trying to make me forget it is only making me love them more.

Love,
Dad