The Battle for My Mirror



My son was the face and mirror of my heart, reflecting all my hopes and fears of the future, frowning at my weaknesses, glowing at my laughter’s, cracking at my inequities and always giving back the image of my face-a hearty laughter, a smile and a warm face.



Seven years after looking after my son single handedly, my mirror was a blurred image. His father took him away from me. Little did I know, that this was the beginning of the battle for my mirror.



Four years later;



Me; Hullo “ Can I have my son for a thanksgiving service with my family?”
TOA: “I am actually not at home and the boy is still at school” phone hangs up



Me; “hullo can I have my son over the Christmas holiday”?
TOA: “ I am traveling to South Africa, so let me see if I can get him over to you before I live”



Few Weeks Later; I traveled to my son’s school with the hope of picking him up for holiday’s.



“ You are not going to get this boy back and if you are not careful, I will take him to a place where you will never see him again…” said a matron at the school, “the father of your son has asked me to tell you so”. She added to the chagrin of my ears.



“Did I hear you right?” I asked in disbelief. “What crime have I committed that I should be denied my son?’



I tried to call up my ex-, but he switched off the phone. I lost contact with the father of my son; my heart went low. This was the beginning of a prolonged, dramatic and bitter battle between me and my ex-boyfriend.



For once I felt a total stranger to my son. I picked a white hankie from my bag, wiped my face and looked Altzwell in the face; “do you want to live with me? I asked him. With tears welling in his eyes, he looked straight into my face. “Mummy I want to stay with you, I am going nowhere but to your home” he replied. It was very disturbing moment for me and my son.



I walked out of that school like an empty eggshell, very light yet smashed, my mirror was reflecting blurred images.



For three months, I was caught in the battle lines of begging my ex-for the return of my son. The three weeks opened for me a journey and struggle to gain custody of my son Altzie. I endured and lived throughout a truly dark chapter of my life.



I sacrificed my image to the police, cried in front of probation officers, hunted down the people that could pull the strings and loosen the fight, and a true reflection of my mirror began to emerge from the darkness.



On December 27th 2010, this seemingly everlasting nightmare, finally came to an end, when with the assistance of police I was awarded the custody of my son in Kampala, - A tender reunion, a miracle.

First Story
Like this story?
Join World Pulse now to read more inspiring stories and connect with women speaking out across the globe!
Leave a supportive comment to encourage this author
Tell your own story
Explore more stories on topics you care about