First, I would like to tell everyone my child is alive and safe. But I also want everyone to know that my heart grieves for any parent who has ever lost a child or loved one or had a child in trouble with the law. There can be no comfort or release for that pain or suffering....except from a Higher power. For me, it is impossible to think otherwise. Now, as I sit here typing and see these individual letters and spaces appear on this document, my mind and heart is with anyone who has ever had to grieve for whatever the reason.
I realize pain and suffering can fluctuate according to degree. But, when your life is impacted in the blink of an eye and the agony in your soul reaches a depth to which you could never possibly imagine, it is only then that the clarity of your life can be seen for what it truly is. At that point, your pain plummets a few more notches and then, from the bowels of your life, you cry out for help. This is where I am now.
The following is an email I recently sent to someone regarding our situation:
"I hope this email finds you in good health and good spirits. I only wish I could say the same for myself.
My wife and I have an only child. An 18 year old daughter. On Sunday night, she was arrested on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls by Canadian
customs. She was alone, driving a rental car and was caught transporting three fully loaded firearms. She was arrested and is currently in
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. She is charged with
"Constructive Possession". I don't know if there will be additional charges. She is being arraigned tomorrow at 10 am. We have been in touch
with a Detective xxxxxxxxxxx who is one of the detectives involved in this case. He has been friendly, sensitive to our suffering and tries to inform us as best he can. Understandably, he can't say much but his understanding and compassion have been a source of consolation.
Needless to say, my wife and I are shattered. It's as if our life is in suspended animation. With the grace of God we will endure. The waiting and
not knowing is the difficult part.
I know next to nothing of the American Judicial system.........and absolutely nothing of Canadian procedures. xxxxx, this is not her first offense. Most recently here in the US, she had a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb 15 on a charge of marijuana possession, intent to deliver and there was a stolen gun involved. I posted
bail for her release and then, to make matters worse, she becomes involved in this second crime before the first offense could even be heard. Oh,
sweet bird of youth.
My mind is spinning like a top and my thinking is catastrophic. Needless to say, I am not well at the moment.
I would think being charged with transporting loaded firearms across an international border is very serious. My wife and I have been trying to
mentally prepare ourselves for what is to come.
After her arraignment tomorrow, how long will it be before a court date is set?. I would imagine 12-18 months. That is pure speculation on my part. But any information you could provide regarding times and Canadian legal
procedure may be a help.
I'm sorry to intrude on your life with my personal problems, but there may come a time when she may need an attorney and I'd like to know if your
service would be available.
Respectfully,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the reason for my most posting "A Christian Story". It is only through His grace and mercy that anyone who has reached rock bottom can find the strength to endure the suffering. I pray to Jesus now, at this very moment, that anyone reading this will never, ever have to experience this pain.
I realize pain and suffering can fluctuate according to degree. But, when your life is impacted in the blink of an eye and the agony in your soul reaches a depth to which you could never possibly imagine, it is only then that the clarity of your life can be seen for what it truly is. At that point, your pain plummets a few more notches and then, from the bowels of your life, you cry out for help. This is where I am now.
The following is an email I recently sent to someone regarding our situation:
"I hope this email finds you in good health and good spirits. I only wish I could say the same for myself.
My wife and I have an only child. An 18 year old daughter. On Sunday night, she was arrested on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls by Canadian
customs. She was alone, driving a rental car and was caught transporting three fully loaded firearms. She was arrested and is currently in
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. She is charged with
"Constructive Possession". I don't know if there will be additional charges. She is being arraigned tomorrow at 10 am. We have been in touch
with a Detective xxxxxxxxxxx who is one of the detectives involved in this case. He has been friendly, sensitive to our suffering and tries to inform us as best he can. Understandably, he can't say much but his understanding and compassion have been a source of consolation.
Needless to say, my wife and I are shattered. It's as if our life is in suspended animation. With the grace of God we will endure. The waiting and
not knowing is the difficult part.
I know next to nothing of the American Judicial system.........and absolutely nothing of Canadian procedures. xxxxx, this is not her first offense. Most recently here in the US, she had a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb 15 on a charge of marijuana possession, intent to deliver and there was a stolen gun involved. I posted
bail for her release and then, to make matters worse, she becomes involved in this second crime before the first offense could even be heard. Oh,
sweet bird of youth.
My mind is spinning like a top and my thinking is catastrophic. Needless to say, I am not well at the moment.
I would think being charged with transporting loaded firearms across an international border is very serious. My wife and I have been trying to
mentally prepare ourselves for what is to come.
After her arraignment tomorrow, how long will it be before a court date is set?. I would imagine 12-18 months. That is pure speculation on my part. But any information you could provide regarding times and Canadian legal
procedure may be a help.
I'm sorry to intrude on your life with my personal problems, but there may come a time when she may need an attorney and I'd like to know if your
service would be available.
Respectfully,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the reason for my most posting "A Christian Story". It is only through His grace and mercy that anyone who has reached rock bottom can find the strength to endure the suffering. I pray to Jesus now, at this very moment, that anyone reading this will never, ever have to experience this pain.
