Thank you for sharing this Mike. Jonny did a really good job with yours and your father's story.
It was wonderful that you could reconnect with your father and also how you reach out to all your family in the hopes of your reconnection to them as well.
Every time that I hear your story I reflect on one of my favorite poems "The Lighthouse Letter" which of course tells the story of families torn apart by organized scientology and their cruel policies of disconnection.
Their disconnection is nothing more than a heartless and cruel attempt to destroy families for worldly gain (money and slave labor). They have to try to destroy love in order to keep their slaves or suck out of well intentioned public every dime they have. And all this for a promise they cannot keep.
What is important at this point is that you have risen above all that, you wear your heart out for all to see and open it forever to those you love. Thank you for showing us every time you speak out how much you care and, in doing so, serving as an excellent example and an inspiration to so many of us.
As I think of the The Lighthouse Letter, I now think of you reaching out to your family lost inside organized scientology knowing that within them is still the love you want to help them find.
Sort of like this from the poem:
"Deep within your cavern dark, a spring of truth abides.
How I hope you find this bottle, for my kisses are inside.
The light outside is dazzling; escape's a costly prize.
But gentle reader, grasp my hand -- and I shall be your eyes".
Here's to the day they find again your hand and you show them the way out of that dark cavern of lies and betrayal and help them into the dazzling light of freedom, of true love, of family love!
There are many of us out here who together with you in the spirit of family will continue to do whatever we can to see this sort of abuse and cruelty ended.
Oh, and also thanks for even beating me at tearing up when you are pouring out your heart. I almost got Mark Headly crying when we spoke in Germany and I lost it at the end. He however got it together and somehow managed to get through his speech. Thank you for being at least one person who can put me to shame in this department! lol
w/<3 Larry
PS: The entire poem for those who may not have seen it or who want to be reminded:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b8y01chxc8
THE LIGHTHOUSE LETTER
"Deep within your cavern dark, a spring of truth abides.
How I hope you find this bottle, my kisses are inside.
The light outside is dazzling; escape's a costly prize.
But gentle reader, grasp my hand and I shall be your eyes.
Behold a gallant queen, her son lost at sea.
She built a lighthouse to the stars, in hopes that he would see.
Her heartlights sweep the beach at night, the prince perchance to see.
In a lifeboat rolling on the waves, is where I'll wait for thee.
Eleven thousand suns and moons have risen, shone and sighed,
o'er the throne of her persistent heart denied.
I've met a king, a prodigal his careworn face so kind.
On foot he bears the banner of a son he vows to find.
Behind him stands a motley crew of knights both young and old.
Their merriments are legend; their cause for us is bold.
And upon a mighty web composed of sliver strands,
three sisters weave the orphans' tales to far and distant lands.
Eyes behind wise spectacles are blurred by tears and rain,
and love for shipwrecked families devoured for worldly gain.
Eleven thousand suns and moons, ten billion twinkling lights,
have gazed silent on our tragedy -- and this is why they fight.
Their heartlights sweep the beach at night, and lifeboats dot the sea.
May fortune speed you safely here, to reconnect with me".