This is a special place for us.  We have great children, and now grandchildren.  Their stories range from heroic to tragic.  Our family ranges from a son who has seen parts of the world that most would not, and a daughter-in-law that is beyond awesome.  There are amazing, creative, nieces and nephews who themselves are having kids, and of course as of right now, two granddaughters.  It’s to them that we write — both to record some of their challenges and triumphs, but also to send them words of encouragement and hope.

While they are all special and important beyond those words to us, we do acknowledge that there is one we will speak to a bit more.  We knew her for only a short while, and she has been denied to us since 2009.  You see, her mother chose to spirit away and take her with.  She refuses to allow any contact with her biological father or her family.  Gifts that were received were destroyed or exchanged.  She is kept just far enough out of reach that this jewel of creation, is growing up without a father, and without an entire family she knows nothing about.

But no matter what the mother may wish, little Annika will one day learn that she has a family, and learn the truth about that family that has been kept from her, just as she has been kept from that family.  At that time, we hope that this revelation does not harm her relationship with her mother, but in the end, truth, love and justice always win out.  When she starts asking questions, we will he here to answer them.