Its been quite a long time since I posted on this forum, and when I did, it wasn't very often, but 'my story' has really, finally reached its final chapter.

It was almost 4 years ago when I separated from my ex-N. I immediately went NC as much as possible with a daughter between us. Our communication deteriorated to mostly just through our lawyers with the occasional attempt at email as encouraged by various optimistic mediators.... it never worked.

I've been through 4 trials via the family court. The second last one was finally resolved about 2 weeks ago when I actually got the last of the money owing to me from our property settlement....it has been an absolute nightmare, but I never backed down.

Today I picked up our daughters passport from the passport office. This was legal action I instigated because he was refusing to sign her passport application. But this time, I did it all by myself. I decided that $70,000 was enough money already spent, so I filed my own application and represented myself. I had seen my lawyer do it enough times already and it didn't look impossible.

Our daughter is now able to go to Japan with her school for a two week exchange program, she leaves in 2 days. I have been fighting for this passport for about 6 months and it came through 2 days before she was due to leave.

The most unsettling thing about the passport/travel fiasco has been how crazy and illogical ex - N has behaved about it. Over and over again he has talked about and written how he thinks it would be a wonderful experience for daughter to go on the trip and how he is sad that it has 'come to this'. He has blamed me for the situation because I have not given into his ridiculous conditions regarding her having a passport. In the end, he gave in at court, right before we were due to appear. He signed the application form and accepted one of the exact solutions I had suggested about 6 months ago. Of course he had his lawyer say a few lies about me in court and add that I don't follow court orders, which caused the judge to explain in detail to me about how 'serious' court orders were..... I didn't care, I'm beyond anger now, I was just happy to get the passport and to realize that I never ever have to have anything to do with that creature ever again. Our daughter is almost 16. I am free and she is almost free, in fact she wins her freedom while in Japan.

The reality hasn't quite sunk in yet though....but now, I can start healing my wounded soul... I never thought this day would actually arrive..... but it did (smile).