A project from the heart

If you have ever feared loosing your child, please continue to read.

My friends, as you know, my boys have been through a difficult time these past ten months. From suicide touching the family, to outrageous court battles, and now to the death of my boys father on Monday 6-16-14.

Thru  all of this, we've pulled together, doing whatever's needed to make sure that things are taken care of. That's what families do. However, they have hit a level of being overwhelming.

I am a firm believer of "If you put it out there, it will manifest." So, here I am, putting it out there to all of you.

For those of you who know me, you know the story, but here is just a brief run down. 

My oldest son has been raising his daughter (now 6 years old) for the past three and a half years. He gave up his near 10 year career in the Army to be a full time father when his wife left him for another partner.

Last year, he began proceedings to get child support, and has been met with opposition from the mother. Then last summer she took thier daughter for vacation and refused to return her.

She even hid the little girl from her daddy when he flew 2000 miles to bring her home. He came back empty handed, heartbroken, devistated and once again the legal system had to be called upon.

She began a series of legal motions, in order to buy time (she needed 6 months) so her state could gain jurisdiction in order to avoid having to pay child support. This totaled 7 court hearings in three different states over a 30 day period, and was quite expensive. There were not only lawyer fees, but court fees, flights, flight change fees, car rentals, hotels, missed work etc. Somehow, we managed to come up with the money.

The child was eventually returned to him by a court order, but the courts decided to have them face mediation to try and work out the child support.

The mother refused to negotiate and instead pushed the courts into a full blown custody trial for an "all or nothing" ending.

We are now waiting for a trial date.

However, since we began the wait for a spot in front of the judge, my boy's father was diagnosed with terminal cancer a couple of weeks ago, and passed away this past Monday.

So now both the boys are faced with this as well. 

This has been a hard year emotionally, physcally and financially.  
But of these things, the lawyers have been the hardest.

My son has an amazing attorney, he has truly done a great job, but we have got to get the lawyer fees paid down before the court date and are out of resources.

So I am reaching out and asking for help.

My dear friend and talented artist, Taylor Mills, has generously dontated a piece of her art to go to the person with the highest donation. In case of a match, it will go to the first person who donated.

The Twin Dolphins, pictured on the page, is a beautiful piece filled with a majestic serenity.

Thank you so much Ty for your help with this project.

Taylors work sells in fine art gallerys around the country. You can read about her here http://taylormillsfineart.com/About.html

Her work is amazing and I am forever grateful for her generosity. 

If 100 people donate $10, that would be amazing. If we reach our goal we would be overwhelmingly forever grateful.

Feel free to share this link.

Please, if you have ever wanted to thank a soldier for their service, now is the time.

Please, help him fight to keep his daughter.  

Mahalo