It'd be easier to just give up and not count her as a loss.
Really?!
My late beloved father and I were as tight as Velcro. Sure, we had our rough times, but he NEVER, NEVER gave up on me. At one point, our father-daughter relationship was very strained where we fought ALMOST every day during my middle school years...that is 3 years of almost misery. I was asserting my independence and a fairly headstrong girl.
During my teenage years, I was self-absorbed and not really wanting to hang out with him much. However, my father made the time to involve me in some activities that were father-daughter bonding time. We would have our chess matches, backgammon matches, or going out in town to play pool. In the Sprint time, we would go mushroom hunting for morsel mushrooms back in my grandparents' woods. I have very, very fond memories of those special times with my Dad.
When I moved in with my Dad during the last year of his life to support him through his cancer, I still hold this very much cherished memory. One day, I was working hard at my home office. Dad walked in and said, "Wonka, come on out with me." Distracted, I said, "No, I can't. Need to finish some work here." Not deterred at all, Dad said "Look, Wonka...I would really like for you to come out and blow bubbles with me." Well....who can resist that?! So we went out in the backyard patio and blew bubbles. I felt like a 5-year old again and laughed with unabashed delight. We both laughed and tried to out compete against each other with blowing the BIGGEST bubbles. Now...nearly 2 years on after his death, I still vividly remember this special moment with him.
Don't EVER give up on your own daughter, Luke!
It is UP to you work hard at your relationships with your D and S. This is how you show love for your own children.
