My Daughter Contacted Me After 15 Years — Now I’m Struggling to Trust HerMy Daughter Contacted Me After 15 Years — Now I’m Struggling to Trust Her

The Wound That Time Didn’t Heal

People often say “time heals all wounds.” But in my experience, time just…scabs over the pain. The wound is still there. And when contact suddenly resumes after a decade and a half, it’s like ripping that scab off — exposing everything you tried to tuck away.

There’s grief, guilt, anger, and confusion. There’s the version of her I’ve held onto in my mind — frozen in time. And now there’s the real her: grown, changed, and carrying her own complex story.

I want to trust her. But trust doesn’t switch on like a light. It has to be rebuilt, one cautious step at a time.

What I’ve Learned (So Far)

If you’re going through something similar — or know someone who is — here are a few truths I’m beginning to understand on this journey:

1. It’s Okay to Feel Everything

You don’t need to pretend this reunion is all joy and sunshine. It’s okay to feel relief and fear, love and resentment, hope and hesitation. Emotions can coexist, even when they seem to contradict each other.

2. Rebuilding Trust Takes Time

Trust isn’t about one apology or one heartfelt message. It’s about consistency — over weeks, months, maybe even years. It’s okay to keep boundaries while you wait to see if her actions match her words.

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