Stephanie Cozzolino’s “My Father & I” is a story of hope, love & redemption. At times in life, these truths are difficult to perceive or even distinguish, because they are hidden under thick layers of hurt, baggage, betrayal and bitterness. Her life’s story is no different. In the book, she delves deep into her personal family history to reveal dark secrets and unveil some raw truths that were necessary to expose in order to bring healing.
“My Father & I,” recounts details about her life preceding the time of her conception until she was 25. The book parallels the relationship Stephanie had with three different father figures; her natural father, stepfather and spiritual Father. 
In each of these relationships, she experienced a different type of love. As early as the age of three, she met a cruel love, that left both emotional and physical scars from the violent abuse she endured. In another, she was introduced to a tainted love through sexual abuse. When all hope was nearly exhausted, Stephanie received the purest love known to man and her life would completely change.
In the following excerpt from “My Father & I,” Stephanie goes to see her former abuser who’s been admitted to the hospital. This wasn’t the first time she’d confronted him, but this would be the last time and it would be quite different than from before. This time, Stephanie went covered in love and compassion, completely breaking the bondage that attempted to control and destroy her life. Her former walk of shame now becomes a walk of freedom and surprisingly the freedom isn’t just for her…
“Outside of the room, there were two nurses doing their morning rounds. I asked them if my stepdad was alone in the room and they said he was. I thanked them, and walked right pass the room to the window at the end of the hallway. I gazed out to see the beauty of God, and worked up my nerve to go in the room. It was time; I walked up to the door and knocked. I heard him tell me to come in. As I opened the door and gazed into the room, the look on his face was not surprised. Had God been preparing him too? I walked in and sat down as though I had an appointment. I guess you could say I did: a divine appointment to be exact.
One thing you have to realize is that before this moment, we had not been in that close of proximity for more than a few minutes for more than 10 years, and here I was sitting at his bedside like an old friend. I asked how he was doing, and we talked about how great of kids my little brother and sister were (his children), and other small talk. That was all great, but I was on a mission from God and it was time to complete what God sent me to do. I began to tell him about how God had changed my life. I began to share some of my testimony and how in spite of my imperfections, God still loved me, forgave me and called me to Him. I spoke to him about the cross and how Jesus died for our sins before we even came to know Him. I began to tell him how what he did to me affected me. But I also let him know that nothing but the love and grace of God could have brought me there that day to let him know that not only was he forgiven by me, but God can and will forgive him too.
He listened intently as I spoke about God and gave my testimony until the moment when he said he was sorry. I told him that if he wanted to do anything for me, it would not be to give my kids money or to buy my lunch, but it would be for him to forgive himself. I asked him if he had a relationship with Christ and he let me know that he did and had been going to church. I asked him if I could pray with him, and he said yes. I grabbed the same hands that had once hurt me and began to pray over his life.
Among many things, I prayed that guilt and condemnation would be cast out. I prayed that he would use his influence as a business owner to lead people toward Christ and that God would be glorified through his life, I prayed that from that moment on he would never be the same. It was amazing. When I was done, I gave him the biggest hug and whispered, “God Bless you” and “I love you.” I left the hospital overflowing with love and joy in my heart knowing that I answered the call.”
(Cozzolino, 2016, pg 64-65)
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