tony-and-liliana-delvecchio.com

Dear Lili,

Another year has come and gone. Another year not having seen my only child. Another year wondering who you are now, what you are doing with your life, or even knowing whether or not you are safe and sound.

People often ask me why I don’t just reach out to you. The fact is I have, as have your uncle and your cousins. When I did so through Facebook Messenger, you disappeared completely. My last connection to you — a few recent photos and vague information about your education and interests — was taken from me in that moment. I wonder if you could possibly imagine the pain and heartache I felt at that moment. Thus was the effect of parental alienation.

For your birthday, my only wish would be to give back to you what was taken from you — your real father, your uncles and aunts, your cousins, your history. They even took away your name.

But I don’t have that choice. Those things are not for me to give, unless you want them.

For you, 21 years have passed since I last saw you. For me, it was only yesterday. Time has changed nothing. You are still the daughter I loved with all my heart. You were then, and still are, the light of my life, and despite the heartache I have had to endure, I regret nothing, and would do it all again to experience those few short years we had together.

You are always in my heart. ❤️

Love always,

Dad