My “sob story” as it was called….

Dear Guillianna and Elijah-

I can’t t imagine anyone ever saying this is my  “sob story” – when in actuality it’s your life story from birth to ages 7 and 9 years of age!    Oh my – such a wonderful  and happy time it truly was for all of us!    These memories are not sad – if there is any impression  of a “sob story” the reality is that the observance may be by those it label these images these words these memories as such would be their own self introspection.   Maybe the idea that mom and dad could not share those memories because of work demands is their own sorrow and maybe after all these years – after missing so much time , it has caught up and the action was to force detachment and gain the attachment they wanted and missed.    That is possible and we may never know why or what triggered this, but a “sob story” it will not ever be!    The story of your lives is a wonderfully happy and love filled journey to be told it was anything else or manipulated to believe you were victims in any way , is what is truly sad.    The source of any “sorrow” is in the decisions that were made  to alienate or remove from your life all that was ever known by the twice of you – and it’s our sincere hope that all you loved and knew as home, and extended family and friends have been replaced with the continued love of parents and new adventures that will leave  your lives enriched.   Not by destroying the good memories you have had but by building upon them and allowing you to live the lives you have known.     If “my story” seems, or is interpreted as a “sob story” it’s likely that the weight of the guilt associated with knowing that these actions that have been taken , will one day result in ownership of the heartbreak that was brought upon you , us, and all those who have loved and continue to love you .     Nana and Poppy’s actions as your grandparents are and always were – pure love ❤️  for you both and we have tried  to help mom as she navigated through her own childhood into her adult years.   Without fail- we have loved her – we have done our very best to always try to  support her, and the sorrow is not in our choice to do so- it may be in her choice to negate it and “ cut out of her life” – a father who only ever was wonderful to her and the mom who she never wanted after losing her own.     The sob story may just be – that she knows that all of the family – the core people of her entire life in the Mitten, have never done her an injustice, but it seems to this date , her own personal issues prevent her from ever acknowledging anyone of us as having value in her life- she enjoys believing she has made it through all of her life all on her own – painting the image that she had no help, and the idea that she has ever depended upon anyone to help her – didn’t or doesn’t fit into the realm of her version of a  “story”.    When or if ever  adults can recognize the simple truth,  that it truly does take a village – to survive this crazy world – love of friends, teachers,  family , relatives and support from every direction,  then and only then,  will it be understood by our own daughter that there is no need to name call, no need to falsely accuse, no need to isolate, and treat others with malice and hopefully one day acknowledge and actually understand that love is not something to toss aside, that we as parents…  are in fact two people who did the very best they possibly could to protect, preserve, provide and help grow intellectually and emotionally all six of their children and all of their grandchildren to date.     At present  – there are those who look to find the hate,  the discord, the sorrow, in things —— unlike those who choose to see love ❤️     Any sorrow, negativity or falsehood that could ever be ingrained since leaving the Mitten, into two innocent people,  is not my “sob story” it is the sad and heartbreaking story that hurts the innocent, and it is fabricated by others who chose to create this unthinkable situation to mask their own parental insecurity .   Painting the image you were victims during your Mitten years , is not at all a truth, however, becoming the victim of loss of control, loss of memories and familial support, loss of relationships, learning how to “cut people” you loved deeply “out of your lives”  is a role you each have fallen into by the actions of others , and THAT is the sorrow,  that  has become Poppy and Nana’s reality – as well as yours.  Sob story?  Wow,   Pretty sure that is a very callous term and derogatory way to look at what it is to make  an innocent child a victim, of loss and separation.     The other day Poppy and Nana were thinking – about the way you’d likely feel next time we see you … what would you feel if we were to visit now?    In recent months –  we have respected the demand to not send cards to you , not send gifts, and when we asked to come see you , we were denied-  but if we had come , or came to visit other family near by that you’re also forbidden to see- , and saw your Nana and Poppy, would you  be afraid of disappointing your own parents when you truly just wanted to run and hug your grandparents?   Oh my,  the mental anguish that would be present in that moment.   Oh my goodness,  the anguish that will be present over the many years to come if you’re  left wondering , or allowed to believe your Poppy and Nana are something harmful, that we are somehow people who didn’t love, who didn’t give all they could  to their children and to their grandchildren?     To think your own parents would make their children actually believe that they either endured something bad, or that they were so insignificant that they were forgotten, isn’t that the most sorrowful scenario  ?   There is not resolution for you to have peace in your futures, if honesty and integrity are  lacking, or if some sort of personal anguish of others, is now being spread to the innocent.   So for today all we can do, all we can hope is that you will remain strong, have faith in your truths and your real memories of our actions and of all our time in the Mitten – if they can be preserved either within you or by way of these images, they will one day serve you well and one day those who have controlled thoughts, your hearts –   will free them,  And you will  feel the love of all your family – know and understand  thatclove if parents and family is a good and wonderful thing for each of you .  The actions of people – show more about a person’s character than anything I could ever say.     In everything we have ever done with regard to our children and grandchildren we have done so with the purest form of love – ALWAYS and as to the two of you  in our lives , we have always wanted to help our daughter, and to help you both,  please know- these photos , these memories – are not a “sob story”-  it is a beautiful love that has seemingly been turned into something untrue.  The character of a man like your Poppy cannot be altered by words –   His character is shown in his actions.  One day you’ll see all of the facts , gain your own perspective and in that you will find that love, dedication and kindness define your story – and our story is a love story , what others have chosen to do with our love is their story – and they Amy call it what they will.    It won’t ever change our “love you to the moon and back, love story”.

We love you both to the moon and back

forever and for always

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy ❤️?

Great Grandmothers …

Dear Guillianna and Elijah –

With Spring approaching there are so many birthdays coming – aside from the one in your household there is Great Grandma’s Sharyn now in her 80’s and great Grandma Sally entering her 90th year – last year neither of you were able to call or send wishes – we hope that now you’ll be given that opportunity for these people have been so good to both of you and you spent all your lives growing up around them –  we sent an invitation and we will hope they will see this invite and reach out to say let’s talk – let’s see how we can make this situation better…. for these matriarchal people have so much love for you both and have given so much of themselves , shared so much , taught so much, through the years – they  have value beyond measure  -and are the people who gave Poppy and I our opportunity to live life – if not for them, you and your brother would not have been here .    Family does have value and does matter – each day that passes where you have been disconnected from all you had ever known and your memories of seeing them or playing with them, laughing with them, and feeling their love fade – please know they never stopped loving , they never stopped having  hope- and they do know you have no other options – they will always have the amazing fun and happy memories  just like you two.   The love and laughter that fills their hearts when they see photos and think of the many wonderful moments we all shared.

The love they each have for their children – the spouses of their children,  their grandchildren and their great grandchildren – is Simply beyond words – the hope they feel in their hearts so beyond measure –    We hope you will see them again soon.  A visit to the Mitten to your family and all of your friends would bring so much happiness to everyone !    We can always hope that is for sure.

Love to you both from here to the moon and back,

forever and for always –

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?

Waiting for an invite?


  1. Dear Guillianna and Elijah –

When Poppy asked to come visit, we want to very much to see you two,  he left it with your mom to let us know when you have any time and he would make a plan to visit all they need do was say when it was convenient for them.    We hope and wait – thinking the time spent together since leaving the Mitten would result in eventual understanding and seeing of truth- that this enlightened version of what truly was, would change the situation.    And please know as always has been the case,  The invitation to visit the Mitten is always open –

Never give up hope – and always know our dreams are to see you again, we cannot wait to hear about your new adventures, and all that you are learning !   We imagine that as the school year is coming to its last months you’re bigger and looking forward spring break and to summer vacation.    We have every hope you’ll spend it doing all kinds of fun  things !  Our hearts wish you to be happy, grow happy healthy and always know all of the people you’ve loved in the Mitten think of you and always will keep open their hearts –  send love hugs and wishes for bright tomorrow’s !

Please always  know that we miss and love you to the moon and back –

forever and for always –

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?

For 9 & 6 years they lived with also loved Poppy

 Dear Guillianna and Elijah-

Please remember this last photo – it’s the night we went to dinner.   We took you both and mom to the Royal Park, and it is the last time you saw us .     You were told you’d be back to the Mitten in a few weeks.    You’re belongings were all left behind.   To some they were worthless.   All new belongings were purchased  and  anything you were attached to or loved ( less one small box of things) were left behind.    A basement full of toys and all your clothes and favorite “nana loves me” jammies.      To detach you.  And present you with all new lovely things and let you reconnect in your new environment.    To  help you learn “how to cut people out of your lives like a kindergartener cute out paper snowflakes”. I am so sorry you have missed out on time with this man .  He is pure good , pure in heart and in action.    And he has only ever loved you both.    We both love you to the moon and back – we will not ever be able to understand why , nor can we change what is – yet no matter what obstacles you may ever face, no matter what the challenges are or the despite any sorrow we wish you to know that people you meet and people you have loved in the Mitten still love you    Will always wish for you to be courageous and work so very hard to create the best and happiest lives you can     That Nana and Poppy are exactly who you remember us to be in these photos in your hearts and that in all you do in this life always be kind, be good and know that when something happens – that was not in your power, not your doing , that you feel torn or lost – search deep    Find the laughter the joy the fun and the happiness we always shared and pass it to others around you.  Every time you share a tradition you learned with Nana and Poppy , remember something that makes you smile ,  find a way to take that memory or that moment of joy and spread it   – children that grow into adults often have people in their lives that influence them and guide them.     People who impact them so much so – they are able to feel them near when they think of them.     Poppy is pure good.     When you picture yourselves dancing with your sword and grass skirt the Moana production the smile in your hearts can and should lift you.  Your Nana and Poppy’s love may seem nothing but a memory but it is everywhere. It’s been an active almost daily part of your entire lives until this past year- no one can take our love  from you.   It’s true you will think we have left –    But no one left either of you.     We simple did all we could in the absence of your mom and dad, and since they have alternate course in mind for now we will hope you will see everyone soon .   We love you to the moon and back –

forever and for always

XOXOXOXOXOXO

❤️Nana and Poppy❤️?